COMMUNITY GROUP CALLS FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND DIALOGUE ON INDUSTRIAL PARK EXPANSION

Saint John Community Coalition

For Immediate Release • Saint John, New Brunswick • Tuesday, May 6, 2025

COMMUNITY GROUP CALLS FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND DIALOGUE ON INDUSTRIAL PARK EXPANSION

The Saint John Community Coalition (SJCC) is calling for better transparency and dialogue regarding the proposed Industrial Park expansion in Lorneville, a coastal community in the greater Saint John region, issuing the following statement:

“In recent years, the City of Saint John has experienced growth in the economy, the population, and significant cultural growth and diversity. Recognizing these changes to our growing community, Saint John Council has raised the bar with urban planning, to bring a balance that can support both residential growth and economic growth.

With the AIM fire of 2024, Saint John Council has advocated strongly in favour of the closure and relocation of this facility to protect the safety and quality of life for residents. And with the anticipated NextGen expansion of the Irving Pulp and Paper facility, the city has again advocated for the protection of residents by preserving buffer zones between residents and heavy industry by preserving Wolastoq Park.

The Saint John Community Coalition is gravely concerned with the handling of the proposed expansion of the Lorneville Industrial Park by Saint John City Staff and Council. We learned of the following:

• Residents receiving unmarked envelopes announcing the planned expansion
• Unanswered emails from city councillors, Dillon Consulting, and the Province of New Brunswick
• A deficient environmental impact assessment process, and
• A lack of clarity on the types of industries that would or would not be permitted, with unknown impacts these may have on residents’ quality of life, and drinking water.

In recent years, the City of Saint John has taken bold steps to act in the best interests of citizens, and strike a better balance between residential and commercial interests. With the handling of the Lorneville Industrial Park expansion, we feel that a double standard is being applied to a less visible neighbourhood, with residents who have experienced generations of upheaval in their community, with little dialogue or consultation.

We are calling for the City to uphold the same standards for quality of life, transparency, and procedural fairness for all residents, and engage in meaningful dialogue, so that people of Lorneville can have assurance that their best interests are being fully recognized and protected.”