📈 Saint John made Canada’s top 5

Good morning, Saint John! Police in France are warning drivers about drunk deer wandering roads after eating fermented fruit and honestly, while we’re not fiddlehead experts, maybe it’s something New Brunswickers should keep an eye on too. Leave enough stuff fermenting in the woods and eventually even Bambi starts looking like he’s leaving the bar at 1:58am.

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Enjoy the day!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🛠️ Saint John reopening grants for backyard suites

Saint John is reopening several housing grant programs, including new incentives for homeowners adding legal basement apartments or backyard suites in serviced parts of the city.

The city says homeowners could qualify for up to $15,000 for an in-home secondary suite or up to $25,000 for a detached garden suite, with funding paid after the project is completed and approved.

The move is part of the city’s ongoing push to create more housing supply and gentle density across Saint John, while also bringing some vacant rental units back into use.

Basically, don’t be surprised if more backyard mini-homes and upgraded basement apartments start popping up around the city over the next couple years.

🏡 Saint John cracks Canada’s top 5 housing markets

Saint John landed fourth overall on a new MoneySense ranking of the best places to buy real estate in Canada for 2026, finishing behind only Fredericton, St. John’s, and Edmonton.

The ranking looked at affordability, price growth, income, safety, and health care access, with Saint John standing out for still having homes priced around half the national average. Local home values have also jumped 76% over the past five years.

For plenty of locals, it probably doesn’t feel all that affordable when groceries, rent, and basically everything else keep climbing. But compared to much of the country, Saint John is still one of the few places where home ownership feels at least somewhat possible…and a lot of people here are hoping it stays that way.

🏛️ Grand Bay-Westfield’s top staffer stepping down

Grand Bay-Westfield will soon be searching for a new chief administrative officer after CAO John Enns-Wind announced he’ll be stepping down July 6.

Enns-Wind joined the town in 2020 and helped guide Grand Bay-Westfield through a busy stretch that included local governance reform, infrastructure projects, growth planning, and several major strategic initiatives.

Mayor Brittany Merrifield thanked him for helping lead the town through a period of “significant change and growth,” while council has hired talent firm KBRS to lead the search for the town’s next CAO.

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🍰 Uptown’s getting a little sweeter

A new dessert and cocktail spot could soon be adding even more energy to uptown Saint John.

BitterSweet Desseterie & Bar is being planned for 115-117 Germain Street by Mike and Brianna Hamilton, who hope to open the cozy 40-seat dessert lounge later this summer, pending approvals.

For Brianna, the idea has been years in the making.

“Since I was a little girl I always dreamed of running a bakery,” she told us, adding that she and Mike were inspired by dessert cocktail bars they visited while dating in Halifax and felt Saint John was missing something similar.

The couple says BitterSweet will focus on house-made desserts baked by Brianna using local ingredients, alongside cocktails designed for what she describes as a “soft and intimate feel that invites you to settle in, lose track of time and stay for one more drink.”

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WEEKEND PREVIEW

THURSDAY

Friendly Feud @ Drifter Brew Co. | May 14
Turns out yelling wrong answers at your friends in public can be charitable. Drifter Brew Co. is hosting a Family Feud-style fundraiser Thursday night in support of the Rothesay Intergenerational Community Complex campaign, with teams of 4-6 competing through multiple rounds of game-show chaos. Expect prizes, laughs, and at least one team convinced “Tim Hortons” is the answer to everything. Starts 7pm. Registration required.

Fundy Sea Shanty Night | May 14
O’Leary’s Pub is handing the mic back to the sea shanty crowd Thursday night for another round of maritime singalongs, choruses, and the kind of energy that makes strangers suddenly start harmonizing beside their beer. Before the Mast will lead the session, guest performers are dropping in, and there are even lyric books now for anyone ready to confidently yell “HEAVE AWAY” with the rest of the room. Free to attend. Starts 7pm.

FRIDAY

Saint John Rock N' Gem Show | May 15-17
Lord Beaverbrook Rink is basically turning into a giant treasure chest next weekend as the Rock N’ Gem Show rolls into town with crystals, fossils, gemstones, handcrafted jewelry, and enough shiny objects to derail your attention span instantly. There’s even a special UV mineral event Friday night where glowing rocks take centre stage, which honestly sounds like science class finally getting interesting. Runs Friday through Sunday with admission at $3.

HOT TO GO | May 15
AREA 506 is throwing a full-on pop dance party Friday night at the Container Village, which means big singalong energy, DJs, and at least a few people attempting choreography they absolutely do not know. Your ticket includes a welcome drink and permission to pretend you’re in your parents basement with a friend while chatting on MSN. Starts 7pm. Ages 19+.

SATURDAY

RHS Relay For Life Family Fundraiser | May 16
Rothesay High School is hosting its first-ever Relay For Life Saturday with students, families, and community teams walking the track to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Along with the relay itself, the day includes bouncy castles, face painting, water games, and plenty happening around the field, all with a goal of raising $10,000 for cancer research and support services. Runs 10am-6pm at RHS.

Saint John Touch a Truck 2026 | May 16
For kids, this is basically the Super Bowl of saying “woah.” Touch a Truck returns Saturday at McAllister Place with giant rigs, emergency vehicles, heavy equipment, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, and plenty of opportunities to honk something loud enough to wake up East Saint John. The event supports First Steps Housing Project and runs 10am-3pm.

Air Guitar Canada East Coast Regional Qualifier | May 16
One of the weirdest and best events of the spring is landing at AREA 506 Saturday afternoon as air guitar competitors battle for a shot at nationals and potentially the world championships in Finland. There will be invisible shredding, dramatic solos, and absolutely unnecessary leg kicks. Free to attend. Starts 2pm at the Village stage.

2SLGBTQIA+ Hike: Heron Trail | May 16
Chroma NB is kicking off hiking season with a group walk along the Heron Trail at Irving Nature Park Saturday afternoon. The event is open to all ages and designed as a relaxed way for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and supporters to meet people, get outside, and enjoy one of the city’s nicest trails before blackfly season fully declares war. Starts 1pm.

The Kingston Farmers Market | May 16
Worth the ferry trip alone for the breakfast sandwiches, the Kingston Farmers Market returns Saturday with local food, artisan vendors, live music, coffee, and the usual crowd of peninsula regulars catching up over cinnamon rolls. It’s one of those markets where you plan to stay 20 minutes and somehow leave two hours later carrying jam, fresh bread, and a wooden sign you absolutely didn’t need.

Quinton Heights Community Yard Sale | May 16
One person’s basement clutter officially becomes another person’s “unreal find” Saturday as Quinton Heights hosts its annual neighbourhood yard sale. Expect folding tables, mystery boxes, kids selling lemonade with aggressive confidence, and at least one person trying to haggle over a lamp for 75 cents. Runs throughout the neighbourhood during the day.

Marco Polo Quilt Guild Quilt Show & Pop-Up Shop | May 16
St. Luke’s Anglican Church turns into a fabric lover’s paradise Saturday as the Marco Polo Quilt Guild hosts its annual quilt show, complete with colourful handmade pieces, vendor booths, and a pop-up shop from Stitch Saint John alongside other quilt retailers. Even if you don’t sew, it’s hard not to appreciate the level of patience required to make an entire blanket one tiny square at a time. Admission is $5. Kids 12 and under get in free.

SUNDAY

Queen Square Farmers' Market | May 17
Queen Square starts filling up again Sunday as the weekly farmers’ market season gets rolling for another year uptown. Visit your favourite local vendors for baked goods, coffee, crafts, fresh produce, and a whole lot of people waiting for dumplings. Runs rain or shine.

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📸 Barb Cox | 📍 Fiddleheads in Sussex

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher