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Barbara Simpson

@journobarb.bsky.social
28 followers 61 following 59 posts

Senior reporter, Telegraph-Journal | bsimpson(at)postmedia(dot)com

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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NEW: Government lacks 'adequate' data to show collaborative care model is improving access to primary care where most needed: auditor general tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Government lacks ‘adequate’ data to support collaborative care plan: AG
The Holt Liberal government is missing key data to support its expansion of collaborative care clinics in New Brunswick, according to a provincial watchdog.
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Telegraph-Journal @telegraph-journal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
No data centres without protecting NB Power customers: MP to premier tj.news/new-brunswic...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
NEW: More New Brunswickers are without a primary care provider than estimated, according to new data. The Holt government has now turned to Medicare registration data to track primary care attachment. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
More NBers without primary care provider than estimated: new data
The Holt government has changed the way it’s tracking the rate of primary care attachment in New Brunswick despite the decision pushing the Liberals further back from an 85 per cent target they set fo...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
NEW: Grand Manan's Evan Wise and Jamie Moses have stepped up to offer hot-lunch service at the community school. They're heeding the call of Education Minister Claire Johnson, who asked for food service contractors to step up for three rural N.B. schools. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Grand Mananers step up for school lunch program
After enrolling their daughter Olive in Grand Manan’s only public school, chef Evan Wise and his wife Jamie Moses dreamed their new island restaurant could provide hot lunches to students one day.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
NEW: Minister plans to close rent-cap loophole through looming legislative changes. Those amendments may not be introduced in the legislature as expected this fall, though, due to ongoing efforts to "co-design" them with stakeholders. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Minister plans to close rent-cap loophole involving fixed-term leases
Housing Minister David Hickey plans to bring clearer rules around the use of fixed-term leases in New Brunswick to close what's turned into a rent-cap loophole for some landlords.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: After a “shocking” initial offer, CUPE NB officials say they’re organizing for the Holt government’s apparent sea change re: bargaining. Finance Minister Rene Legacy says N.B. has started a new round of negotiations "based on the circumstances we have." tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
UPDATE: N.B. contract offer a 'punch to the stomach': union official
After receiving a "shocking" initial contract offer from the province, New Brunswick union officials say they're organizing for the Holt government's apparent sea change with respect to collective bar...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: Critics blast premier for promoting Lorneville data centre project to investors. The project is still undergoing an environmental impact assessment, while the Holt government is still determining its policy for data centre development in N.B. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Critics blast premier for promoting data centre project to investors
Critics of the proposed Lorneville data centre are blasting Premier Susan Holt for using an investment conference to promote a multibillion-dollar project that has yet to secure provincial approval.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
NEW: 'Our 9/11 story demonstrates that borders on a map do not define us, but our humanity does': Passenger grounded on 9/11 recalls kindness of Monctonians. tj.news/moncton-mira...
tj.news
Passenger grounded on 9/11 recalls kindness of Monctonians
On this 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I am reminded of our experience in Moncton when our flight was diverted there.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
NEW: Education minister appeals for help to close school-lunch program gaps. Three rural schools don't have food service providers lined up yet. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Minister appeals for help to close school-lunch program gaps
Education Minister Claire Johnson is appealing for help for three rural schools who don't have food service contractors lined up to deliver the Holt government's hot-lunch program.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
NEW: About 20% of N.B. schools won't see Liberals' promised hot-lunch program Tuesday. See list of affected schools here. 👇 tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
20% of N.B. schools won't see hot lunch program Tuesday
Students at 56 New Brunswick schools aren't expected to see the Liberals' affordable hot-lunch program immediately when they head back to classes Tuesday.
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Adam Huras @adamhuras.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
BIG UPDATE: Canada abruptly drops retaliatory tariffs on U.S. seafood Premier Susan Holt’s office had acknowledged the tariffs would hurt New Brunswick, but in order to inflict pain on Trump administration DETAILS: tj.news/new-brunswic... #NB #ME
tj.news
UPDATE: Canada abruptly drops retaliatory tariffs on U.S. seafood
But Premier Susan Holt’s office acknowledges new retaliatory tariffs will hurt New Brunswick in order to inflict pain on Trump administration
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
NEW: Patients of a Moncton family doctor say they've been left with questions after the abrupt closure of their doctor's office. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Patients left with questions after doctor's office abruptly closes
Robert Caron credits his new family doctor for saving his life.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
NEW: Moosehead Breweries faces potential blow with looming 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian beer. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Moosehead faces potential blow with looming 50% beer tariff
The head of Moosehead Breweries says looming U.S. tariffs on Canadian alcohol have the potential to deliver a blow to the company's sales and shelf space south of the border.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
NEW: Aging-in-place neighbourhood expected to be first of its kind in Saint John region. On-site caregivers will offer homeowners services ranging from companionship to palliative care. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Aging-in-place neighbourhood expected to be first in Saint John region
At the age of 84, Barb Bishop has decided to move from the home she shared with her husband David through until his death last year.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
'He was a fixer': Nick Shepard grew up in poverty and then spent his life helping others in it. Family, friends and community members talk about impact left by Shepard, outreach manager of Fresh Start Services, who died this week. (via Brice McVicar) tj.news/saint-john-s...
tj.news
'He was a fixer': Community mourns loss of advocate for unhoused
'He was a fixer': Community mourns loss of advocate for unhoused
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Patients now turning up in the ER after striking out on getting help through new Virtual Care NB, according to a New Brunswick doctor who co-founded eVisitNB. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Patients turn up at ER after striking out on new virtual service: doctor
A New Brunswick doctor who co-founded eVisitNB says he’s now seeing patients turn up in his Waterville emergency department for prescription renewals following the provincial defunding of his virtual ...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
'A nightmare': New Brunswickers weigh in on the transition to Virtual Care NB. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
New virtual care system designed to 'gatekeep' health care: patient
After attempting to secure an online medical appointment, Angel Dionne has drawn a conclusion about the purpose of the province’s new virtual care system.
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Andrew Bates @teambates.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Roman Kamyshnyy, 46, was convicted Wednesday of two counts of first-degree murder after court heard that he fatally stabbed two boys, 10 and 17, in Saint John out of 'vengeance' towards a woman in January 2025: tj.news/saint-john-s...
tj.news
Man found guilty of fatally stabbing two children
Roman Kamyshnyy, 46, killed 10-year-old, 17-year-old boy in January 2025 out of 'vengeance,' Crown argued
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Man died at Miramichi hospital alone as family struggled to get updates on his health status in French from staff, according to new official languages commissioner investigation. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Man died in hospital alone as family faced language barrier: commish
A man died alone at the Miramichi Regional Hospital last September after his unilingual francophone wife and son were unable to get updates from hospital staff in French, according to a new report fro...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
After a 35-year wait for public housing, Matthew Wright, who has cerebral palsy, lands his first apartment. A look at accessible, affordable rental housing in N.B. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
After 35-year wait for public housing, N.B. man lands affordable apartment
In his fifties, Matthew Wright is enjoying for the first time a sense of freedom that most people experience when they turn 18.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Medavie to no longer oversee NB Health Link, unattached patient list. 1/2 tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
UPDATE: Medavie to no longer oversee NB Health Link clinics, patient waitlist
Medavie Health Services New Brunswick will no longer manage NB Health Link clinics and the province’s unattached patient waitlist in the coming months.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A New Brunswick municipal politician shares her experience as the only woman on council, alleging her colleagues have blocked her return to the deputy mayor position. She gets ordered to apologize and undergo social media training. tj.news/moncton-mira...
tj.news
Riverview councillor ordered to apologize for Facebook post
Riverview council
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
NEW: Facing a Parkinson's diagnosis, Fredericton civil servant Mark Taylor thought there must be something he can do to help others facing the disease. He's rallied folks together from across the province to create a first-of-its-kind working group. 1/2 tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Facing Parkinson's, N.B. man turns diagnosis into provincial action
Now what do I do? It’s a question Mark Taylor faced when he was handed a life-changing diagnosis at the age of 44.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Interesting read here. Integrity commissioner will soon have the power to hand out a two-year lobbying ban to those who aren't complying with N.B. lobbyist rules. 👇
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Cabinet minister toured pot warehouse just before RCMP raid. tj.news/new-brunswic... (Interesting read here from @john_chilibeck)
tj.news
Cabinet minister toured pot warehouse just before RCMP raid
Luke Randall says his Liberal government was exploring ways it could bring First Nations grey market cannabis into the provincial fold
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
N.B. woman delivers baby on the side of the highway while labour and birth services are temporarily unavailable at local hospital due to staffing shortage. (via Shana Grey) tj.news/fredericton-...
tj.news
Mom gives birth on side of highway due to staff shortage at hospital
A Jacksonville couple delivered their baby on Highway 2 after being diverted from Waterville Hospital amid rural staffing shortages.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
NEW: Both Vitalite and Horizon health networks are struggling to meet the Liberals' five-day target for primary care appointments. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
RHAs struggling to meet five-day target for primary care appointments
Horizon and Vitalité patients are waiting an average of almost 16 days for a regular primary care appointment through facilities tied to their regional health networks, Brunswick News has learned.
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Jen Gerson had Thing To Say about Elections Alberta: open.substack.com/pub/theline/...
open.substack.com
SCOOP: Jen Gerson: Elections Alberta's massive failure could have put people in danger. I tried to warn them.
The most unhinged people in the province may now have access to the personal information of everybody who lives here, and there's nothing we can do about it
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
New Liberal MP Marilyn Gladu says she's now using an armed security detail everywhere she goes due to threats, staying away from public, in-person events. (Great reporting by @petroliaindie.bsky.social.) petrolialambtonindependent.ca/2026/04/29/g...
petrolialambtonindependent.ca
Gladu faces death threats, protected by armed guards, but at work | The Independent
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
NEW: Premier Holt doesn't believe there's any "further conversation" that could be had with Agropur to save a Sussex-area dairy processing plant. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Premier says no hope to save Sussex-area dairy plant
Premier Susan Holt says she doesn’t believe there’s any “further conversation” to have with Agropur that could save its Sussex-area dairy processing plant.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
NEW: Minister defends cash for Agropur in wake of looming Sussex-area dairy plant closure. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
UPDATE: Minister defends cash for Agropur in wake of looming Sussex plant closure
Minister Luke Randall is defending a decision to loan Agropur Cooperative up to $2.4 million to restructure its New Brunswick operations.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NEW: Holt Liberals have scrapped a pay-what-you-can model for their school lunch program due to concerns over program sustainability over the long term. Instead, the government will be subsidizing half the cost of lunches. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Liberals scrap pay-what-you-can model for looming school lunch program
The Holt Liberals have scrapped plans to use a pay-what-you-can model to deliver on a key campaign promise – a universal school lunch program.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
NEW: New Brunswick's public housing waitlist has hit an all-time high, with more than 14,000 households waiting for units. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
N.B.’s public housing waitlist hits all-time high
Amid an affordability crisis, New Brunswick’s public housing waitlist has now hit an all-time high.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
NEW: Minister accuses PC MLA of 'victim blaming' immigrants for N.B. housing crisis. PC MLA says she's putting blame on federal immigration policies, not newcomers. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Minister accuses MLA of ‘victim blaming’ immigrants for housing crisis
Holt Liberal cabinet minister David Hickey has accused a Progressive Conservative MLA of “victim blaming” immigrants for New Brunswick’s housing crisis.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
NEW: Saint John police board chair won't say if the board has faith in the current chief amid harassment allegations. However, she says, “The unfortunate thing is that you only can have this one side of it because it’s what’s been made public.” (via @teambates.bsky.social) tj.news/saint-john-s...
tj.news
Police board chair won't comment on faith in chief, citing HR limits
Lawsuit over workplace harassment allegations is moving through the courts
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Reporter carries on....
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
NEW: Property owners hit twice with assessment service fees: PC critic. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Property owners hit twice with assessment service fees: PC critic
New Brunswick property owners are paying provincial assessment service fees twice – a little-known practice that needs to change, according to a Progressive Conservative MLA.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
NEW: N.B. nurse has admitted to professional misconduct for falsifying employment letter for mortgage application. She denied for five years that she altered the letter, a discipline committee panel heard Monday. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Nurse admits to falsifying employment letter for mortgage application
A New Brunswick nurse has admitted to professional misconduct, acknowledging she altered a letter of employment provided by Horizon Health Network in order to apply for a mortgage back in 2020.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
NEW: The Holt government is set to introduce 'significant' changes to N.B. property tax system before the end of this legislative session. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Liberals set to roll out ‘significant’ changes to property tax system
The Holt Liberal government is expected to deliver this spring its long-awaited plan to overhaul the province’s property tax and assessment systems.
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Adam Huras @adamhuras.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
NEW from me... Holt promises overhaul of lobbyist rules that blocked NHL ticket disclosure ‘It's not strong right now,’ premier says, pledging legislative changes next month tj.news/new-brunswic... #NB
tj.news
Holt promises overhaul of lobbyist rules that blocked NHL ticket disclosure
‘It's not strong right now,’ premier says, pledging legislative changes next month
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
NEW: In response to workplace harassment allegations, Saint John's police chief says he's faced "resistance" from the police union over change to the force, describes the allegations as an "attack" and doesn't plan to go anywhere. (via @teambates.bsky.social) tj.news/saint-john-s...
tj.news
Chief says he faced 'resistance' to change from union
Saint John police chief called unsealed toxic workplace allegations a union 'attack' in new statement
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
NEW: NEW: A vulnerable man discharged from the Saint John Regional Hospital was sent by Horizon staff in a taxi to the Blacks Harbour ferry parking lot, where he was left to figure out how to get back to Grand Manan on his own, according to his family. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Vulnerable man dropped off in ferry parking lot after hospital discharge
Stephanie Fleet didn’t think her brother Robert Morse would need a jacket and shoes when he was airlifted to the Saint John Regional Hospital on April 2.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Details of Saint John police chief's alleged behaviour toward several officers, contained in a lawsuit, have been released thanks to the work of Brunswick News and CBC. Chief says the allegations are 'unsubstantiated.' (Great reporting via @teambates.bsky.social) tj.news/saint-john-s...
tj.news
Chief said wounded officer 'had it coming to him,' lawsuit alleges
In unsealed court documents, Saint John officers allege targeted harassment in complaints dismissed by police board
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
NEW: As questions mount over the new $30M virtual care deal, PC health critic Bill Hogan is calling for the release of eVisitNB, Foundever contracts. Health Minister John Dornan says he's seeking legal advice on whether details of publicly funded contracts can be released. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Release the virtual care contracts: PC health critic to Liberals
As questions mount over a new $30-million virtual health-care deal, Progressive Conservative health critic Bill Hogan is calling for the release of all past and current contracts tied to providing the...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
NEW: Former Loch Lomond Villa CEO Cindy Donovan has been ordered to take remedial education courses after breaching a resident's privacy back in 2021. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Former nursing home CEO ordered to take courses following privacy breach
A former Saint John nursing home CEO who sent out a letter about a resident’s eviction has been ordered to take remedial education courses on privacy and confidentiality.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
NEW: Radiation therapists are 'falling apart' at Saint John's cancer clinic after being chronically short-staffed for more than two years, according to their professional association. Horizon says a plan to improve conditions is in the works. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Horizon workers 'falling apart' at chronically short-staffed cancer clinic
Radiation therapists at the Saint John Regional Hospital are calling for relief after more than two years of shouldering a full patient load without adequate staffing.
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Reposted by Barbara Simpson
Andrew Bates @teambates.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
NB Power said their forecast of a "critical energy shortfall" of 400 MW by 2028 doesn't include the impact of a proposed AI data centre in Saint John which would draw 190 MW from the grid: tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Data centres not part of NB Power's 'energy shortfall' forecast
Push for Lorneville data centre contradicts arguments of energy scarcity, say local activists
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
NEW: Green party Leader David Coon is calling for a public inquiry into security at N.B. long-term care homes in light of alleged sex abuse at a Saint John home. Liberals say they're reviewing policies and procedures. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Green leader calls for inquiry in wake of alleged sex assault case
Green party Leader David Coon is calling for a public inquiry to examine security measures at New Brunswick’s long-term care facilities in the wake of an alleged sexual assault case involving 15 senio...
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
NEW: New Brunswick looks to 'optimize' operating rooms to reduce surgical wait times. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
N.B. looks to ‘optimize’ operating rooms to reduce surgical wait times
New Brunswick is undertaking a review of its operating room system in a bid to “optimize” existing resources to reduce surgical wait times.
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Barbara Simpson @journobarb.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
NEW: Alleged sex assault of 15 seniors largest case in Canadian history, according to long-term care expert. N.B. Minister of Seniors Lyne Chantal Boudreau issues statement in response to "horrific" allegations at Saint John nursing home. tj.news/new-brunswic...
tj.news
Alleged sex assault of 15 seniors largest case in Canadian history: expert
A New Brunswick nursing home is now the site of the largest mass sexual assault allegation in the history of Canada’s long-term care sector, according to a professor who researches seniors’ care.
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