Public transit services expanding to Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton
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CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
N.B. cannabis producer rebrands, seeks larger international market
Organigram Global has a 550,000 square-foot growing and distribution operation in the Moncton Industrial Park that cost close a half billion dollars to build. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett) One of the largest cannabis players in Canada keeps growing and growing. Organigram, which recently rebranded to Organigram Global to penetrate the American and International markets, currently employs more than 700 people in the Greater Moncton area. 'We're the fourth largest employer in the private sector and the ninth overall in the province,' said Nathalie Kubrick, executive vice president of operations at Organigram Global. 'In terms of impact, we employ 725 people, that's 725 families.' Those employees work inside a 550,000 square-foot growing and distribution operation in the Moncton Industrial Park which cost close to half a billion dollars to build. Yearly operating expenses total around $80 million, and the monthly power bill is $1 million. Organigram Global Organigram Global employs over 700 people in the Greater Moncton area. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett) Business is strong, but Kubrick said they are heavily burdened by an excise tax. 'It represents 30, 40 per cent of our revenue so a lot of companies in Canada are diverting their kilos to international because you don't have to pay that excise tax when you sell internationally,' said Kubrick. 'And because of that heavy burden on excise tax, profitability is an issue for a lot of companies in Canada.' Domestic sales are the main market with Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia being the biggest buyers, but the international market is increasingly becoming a larger part of Organigram's portfolio. 'We sell to Germany, the U.K. and Australia, Israel and we're really focusing on growing our footprint primarily in Europe where some of the regulations are changing,' said Kubrick. When driving by the massive facility in the city's west end, the production smell can be noticeable at times. Organigram Global Domestic sales are the main market for Organigram Global, with Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia being the biggest buyers. However, the international market is increasingly becoming a larger part of Organigram's portfolio. (CTV Atlantic / Derek Haggett) City of Moncton Councillors Daniel Bourgeois and Charles Leger said they've received complaints from citizens about the smell emanating from Organigram. 'This odour situation has been ongoing for many years,' said Leger in an email. 'The municipality has also contacted Organigram with concerns.' Kubrick said there is still a bit of a stigma around cannabis. 'We want to be a good neighbour. We want to do the right thing every time. We have invested quite a bit in the last two years in terms of mitigating the smell,' she said. 'We're always willing to invest in making sure that we are a good neighbour. We do harvest every day so it smells every once in a while but we have invested in recirculating the air indoors in order to really minimize the smell as much as we can.' As far as competing with the illicit market, Kubrick said they focus on quality, everything is regulated, and that's what sets them apart. 'To be fair, the legal market is much more controlled. The cannabis plant is a fascinating plant. It absorbs pesticides and heavy metals from the earth, so you really don't know what you're getting when you're buying from the illicit market,' said Kubrick. 'Everything that comes out of here is tested heavily and that's how we win against the illicit market.' As far as the future goes, Kubrick said the focus will be on global expansion. 'We started selling beverages in the U.S. and really focusing our growth in the international market and bringing our own brands, Organigram brands, into the international market while maintaining our market share leadership here in Canada which is really important to us because it's our base,' said Kubrick. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CBC
16-07-2025
- CBC
CBRM to ask province for help with cost of cleaning up derelict properties
Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to ask the province for help cleaning up derelict properties after fires destroyed two structures in Glace Bay last week, underscoring the danger of old, vacant buildings. Officials say the municipality simply can't afford to tackle the large number of properties in CBRM that need attention. "Unfortunately, statistically, I think we are in Nova Scotia the highest per capita with hundreds of vacant properties, dangerous and unsightly, and in the midst of trying to grow, we're trying to deal with some of the blights of the past," Mayor Cecil Clarke said. "The two recent structure fires in Glace Bay just highlighted the impact of abandoned properties and ... what it means to the bottom line." A fire on July 10 took out an empty warehouse next to an active fish plant and several hours later, a separate blaze consumed the former Morrison school, which is surrounded by homes. Clarke said the cost of demolishing the remains of the former school alone is about $300,000, and that's money CBRM likely will not be able to recover from the building owner. According to provincial property records, the building is owned by the non-profit Glace Bay & Area Y's Men & Women's Club. A CBRM spokesperson said the building was up for tax sale with $87,400 in taxes and other costs owing to the municipality. It went to tax sale three times over the last year and was not sold. It was scheduled to go up again later this month with the price reduced to $7,900, which is a year's outstanding taxes. However, whether it makes it to the next tax sale is now in doubt because of the fire. At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Dave MacKeigan got unanimous approval from his colleagues to have the mayor reach out to the minister of municipal affairs to seek financial help. There are roughly 400 derelict properties in CBRM. The municipality removes up to 80 a year from the list, but others get added to the list every year, as well. Most are empty homes, but about 10 per cent are large commercial buildings. Others are former school buildings that once belonged to the province — something that should be kept in mind, said Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald. "We do not have the financial capacity and resources to deal with them, and I think consideration should be given that it was their buildings in the past and it should remain their responsibility," MacDonald said. Clarke said he intends to ask for a meeting with the province as soon as possible. The Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department has been preparing and practising with other departments for at least two years in case of a fire at the former Morrison school. Ten departments responded to the alarm call, providing protection for neighbouring homes. No one was hurt and no other properties were damaged in the fires, but Clarke said the next incident could end in tragedy. "All it would take is a change in wind direction and we could be talking a much larger disaster and a much more pressing discussion with the minister," he said.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Gas prices up across the Maritimes
A man is pictured holding a gas pump in Halifax on May 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic) Prices at the pumps increased overnight across the Maritimes. Nova Scotia The price of regular self-serve gasoline increased by 3.5 cents in the Halifax-area. The minimum price is now 143.6 cents per litre. Diesel prices increased by 4.7 cents, bringing the minimum price to 158.1 cents per litre. The price of regular self-serve gasoline in Cape Breton is 145.5 cents per litre and the price of diesel is 160.0 cents per litre. Prince Edward Island On P.E.I., the price of regular self-serve gasoline increased by 2.9 cents. The new minimum price is 148.5 cents per litre. The price of diesel also increased by 2.9 cents. The minimum price on the island is now 164.2 cents per litre. New Brunswick The price of regular self-serve gasoline in New Brunswick increased by 2.8 cents. The new maximum price is 144.5 cents per litre. Diesel prices increased by 4.4 cents. The new maximum price is 158.9 cents per litre. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
