That fish could cost you

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Good morning, Saint John! Quick shoutout to Mark S. in Millidgeville, who hit 15 SJ Today referrals and just landed himself a $10 coffee run at his top local spot, on us. Want in? Spread the word or post it in your favourite local group. Your personal link is just above the tide times ☕.

Here’s what we’re hearing today:

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Starting tomorrow (March 26-28), the 2nd Annual Spring Tide Shantyfest fills uptown Saint John with three days of powerful harmonies, Maritime melodies, pub sessions, and stories rooted in our shipbuilding past.

Seven musical groups perform across multiple venues, including Pressgang Mutiny, Dram & A Draw, Before The Mast and more. Add in hands-on workshops, historical presentations, and themed experiences like Seafood Chowder & Shanties or whiskey tastings, and you’ve got a full jam-packed weekend built around music and community.

This is how Saint John says farewell to winter!

Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss out on the fun!

💸 Minimum wage going up April 1

Minimum wage is getting a bump next week.

New Brunswick’s rate is rising to $15.90/hour, while the federal minimum wage is jumping to $18.15/hour as of April 1.

The provincial rate applies to most jobs, while the higher federal rate only covers federally regulated sectors like banks, airlines, and telecom.

For most workers locally, the $15.90 rate is the one that’ll apply.

🎣 Some fish you can’t throw back anymore

Fishing season’s getting a rule change this year.

Anglers will now be required to keep certain invasive species if caught in specific waters, including smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and muskellunge.

The goal is to stop them from spreading and crowding out native fish.

Catch one and toss it back, and you could be hit with a $100 to $500 fine.

🥏 Make your spring Ultimate

Spring’s here, the days are stretching out, and it might be time to try something completely different. Saint John Ultimate is launching a 6-week Intro League starting April 21 at the Irving Oil Field House, built for absolute beginners.

Each night mixes learning the basics with scrimmages so you can actually play right away. As League VP Brent Gosselin puts it, “This league is meant to introduce new people to the sport. We’ll be teaching the very basics, as early as how to throw a frisbee.”

You can sign up solo and get placed on a team, show up in whatever activewear you’ve got, and be ready for a sneaky-good cardio workout. Runs Tuesdays 7–9pm through May 26, $45 to join, with financial help available if needed.

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Your business deserves the spotlight. Advertise in our newsletter and be part of the morning buzz!

Here are some more events sent to us by our readers. Don’t forget to submit your events any time by clicking here.

Bladder & Pelvic Health Session with Archstone Wellness | March 26
Archstone Wellness is leading a Thursday morning session from 10am-12pm focused on bladder and pelvic health, with options to attend online or in person at the Rothesay Hive. It’s geared toward adults 50+ and covers common concerns, prevention tips, and simple ways to support day-to-day comfort and strength. A practical, low-pressure session where people can learn a few things and ask questions. Registration required.

Black History Beyond the Month | March 28
PRUDE Inc. is hosting a Saturday afternoon gathering from 12-1:30pm at their Market Square office to reflect on this year’s Black History Month events. It’s a chance to revisit highlights, share impact, and keep the conversation going beyond February in a relaxed, community-focused setting. Registration is required.

Winter Storytelling Walk | March 28
First Nations Storytellers are offering another guided storytelling walk along the harbour Saturday at 1pm, starting from the Saint John Harbourfront Hotel. The 90-minute experience blends local Indigenous stories with a fresh-air walk through the city, giving people a different way to see familiar spaces. Winter rates are still in effect, but booking ahead is recommended.

Saint John Voices Open Mic | March 29
Writers, readers, and the curious are all welcome Sunday from 6:30-8:30pm at Write Cup Café for Saint John Voices. It’s an open mic for short stories, poetry, and excerpts, with sign-up at 6pm and seven minutes per reader. This month’s featured writer is poet Jordan Stewart, kicking off his book tour with a reading.

Introduction to Line Dancing (KV Food Basket Fundraiser) | Wednesdays in April
Looking to try something new this spring? Valley Line Dance is running a four-week beginner-friendly series at the Qplex in Quispamsis, with all proceeds supporting the KV Food Basket. No experience needed, just a willingness to move a little. Classes run Wednesday evenings, and spots are limited (about 10 left), so pre-registration by email is required.

Community Comedy Show at the Library | April 25
The Saint John Free Public Library (Main Branch) is hosting a free comedy show April 25 at 3pm, featuring local comics and headlined by Chris Hovey. Hosted by Adam Blanchard and Katelin Dean, the show is open to all ages (with some mature content), but space is limited, so registration is required through the library.

May Day Tea at Lily Lake | May 2
The PSAC Saint John Regional Women’s Committee is hosting a May Day Tea at Lily Lake Pavilion at 2pm, with a focus on labour rights and women in unions. The event features PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa as keynote speaker, with proceeds supporting Hestia House. Tickets are $15 or $100 for a table of eight.

Maple Syrup Experience at Elmhurst Outdoors | Multiple Dates
Elmhurst Outdoors on the Kingston Peninsula is running guided maple syrup tours this season, offering a walk through the history (and process) of sugaring from past to present. The experience includes a short outdoor trek, a visit to the evaporator, maple sugar on snow, and a pancake meal back at the lodge. Reservations are required for this one.

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Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Only true locals will know the answer. This should be an easy one, but I guess we’ll see. If you think you know where this is hit reply and give us your best guess. We’ll reveal the location and correct answers in Friday’s issue!

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🌅 7:17am | 🌇 7:43pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

On this day in 1820
The Bank of New Brunswick opened on Prince William Street in Saint John as Atlantic Canada’s first bank, starting with £50,000. Things have escalated since.

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