East Saint John is in need of improved community services, and city government is prepared to move forward with recommendations to do just that.
Councillors received a report from the city’s growth committee following an extensive evaluation of community services on the east side.
East Saint John has unique characteristics setting it apart from other municipal wards.
It’s the largest geographically, covering approximately 150 square kilometres of the city. It has the largest population and an overall poverty rate of 14.9 per cent.
The city began the evaluation in January in an effort to better understand the strengths, gaps and opportunities within the local service network.
Youth recreation, senior wellness programming and increased co-ordination and capacity emerged as the most urgent service gaps.
According to the report, residents repeatedly said there needed to be more structured and affordable activities for young people and inclusive wellness opportunities for older adults.
Program manager Craig Ganong told council that, along with those two groups, newcomers, people with disabilities and experiencing mental health challenges were also dealing with the greatest service gaps.
“Constant issues were affordability, transportation and lack of evening options were the barriers as to why they weren’t participating,” Ganong said.
Addressing accessibility and affordability is just one of the recommendations in the report.
Ganong took councillors through a series of six recommendations:
- Establish a neighbourhood co-ordination body for East Saint John
- Enhance accessibility and affordability and expand opportunities for key demographics
- Support service co-ordination and collaboration
- Build capacity and sustainability of local providers
- Strengthen communication and awareness
- Investigate the establishment of a full-service community centre on the east side.
Coun. Brent Harris wondered if anyone had stepped forward to be what he called “a community champion” to help lead the process.
Ganong said the process remains in the early stages of determining how this will proceed, he stressed that one thing the committee wanted to avoid was swooping in as the City of Saint John and appoint someone.
“We really want to push that community feedback portion,” Ganong said. “Ensure that we’re bringing our service providers together at those meetings, for example, and determining who are those standout leaders who have the time and are willing to take on the responsibility of leading a group like that.”
Council voted to approve the recommendations from the committee and direct city staff to begin implementing them, as well as to direct the finance committee to include funds for implementation in the 2026 operating budget. That includes hiring a new community development co-ordinator and $67,000 in existing goods and services funding be redirected to support neighbourhood development.
