Current Events

A year has passed since the Post Secondary Education Commission released its report which, amongst other things, suggested UNBSJ and NBCC-SJ should dissolve in favor of a new Polytechnic Institute. Thanks to overwhelming support from the community UNBSJ and NBCC-SJ remain, but that is not to say their autonomy and academic freedom are safe.

In this clip Jim Turk, one of the many public voices you may remember from last year's demonstrations, presents his thoughts and reflections on the most recent developments in this ongoing issue. Dr Turk is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

Filmed by myself, edited by David Ross, and special thanks to Mary Astorino for the gear and Miriam Jones for organising the event.

Supporters of Early French Immersion gathered in King Square to voice their opposition to the New Brunswick Government's plan to eliminate the program.

Early Immersion introduces French to children from the first grade on; all the way to high school graduation. The New Brunswick Liberal party is in favour of an intensive core French program for ALL English students in grade five, followed by the option to enter French immersion in grade six. Students do not have the choice to opt out of French in the fifth grade, nor can they learn French in the public school curriculum at a younger age.

New Brunswick is the only province in Canada recognized as officially bilingual by the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms.

A public discussion forum took place on 10/10/07 at the Germain Street Baptist Church. The topic: What is the value of having a university in Saint John. In this video, Dr Rob Moir talks about the economic benefits. Dr Moir is a professor at UNBSJ.There were several other presenters, but due to a technical error the audio is too poor to post.

Over 300 people packed into the Mezzanine at the Saint John Delta for a public Q&A with the PSE commissioners, Dr Miner and Mr. L'Ecuyer. They were greeted with boos.