Latest news with #CornerBrook
CBC
14 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
N.L. finds its health staff for radiation unit in Corner Brook
The wait for radiation treatment in Corner Brook has been a long fight for people like Gerald Parsons. The opening of the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital came with the promise of on-site radiation, but not the professionals to staff it. Now, the province has announced, two new radiation oncologists have been recruited with treatment expected to begin in the fall.
CBC
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada Games torch relay passes through Corner Brook on Canada Day
While Canada Day and Memorial Day are always a shared occasion in Newfoundland and Labrador, this year's ceremonies in Corner Brook also honoured the upcoming Canada Games, as the torch relay passed through the city on Tuesday. "I love this," said Vernon Wells, one of the eight torchbearers in Corner Brook. "This is very special for me. I was the mascot for the '99 Canada Games here, and it brings back a lot of memories." In Corner Brook, the torch made its way to the Civic Centre, which was originally built for the 1999 Canada Winter Games. "It gives you a feeling of pride, for the community and for all of the island and rest of Canada," said Wells. "And it just feels close to the heart." Meanwhile, the CEO of the Canada Games Host Society said it was a great day to be celebrating the games in Corner Brook. Karen Sherriffs said the event in Corner Brook was just one of 15 stops on their torch relay, which kicked off late last week. "The excitement that's there is just so special to see, and it's just been really overwhelming to see the support we've gotten," Sherriffs said, reflecting on the torch's journey so far from Port aux Basques. WATCH | Corner Brook's many July 1st festivities: An eventful Canada Day in Corner Brook as ceremonies are also held to honour Memorial Day and the upcoming Canada Games 3 hours ago Duration 1:47 It was a Canada Day to remember in Corner Brook, Not just celebrating Canada, but also Memorial Day and a special visit with the Canada Games torch. "A lot of positive things are happening throughout the province. I think the torch relay really signifies that," said Premier John Hogan, who was in Corner Brook for the Canada Day flag raising ceremony. He also attended a Memorial Day event in Pasadena. "And the fact that Memorial Day overlaps with Canada Day, I think it's a good time to think about what we've contributed to Canada," Hogan said. "Canada is lucky to have us, and we're lucky to have Canada."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deputy mayor and mayor battle for top spot in Corner Brook
Linda Chaisson has been a city councillor in Corner Brook for 16 years and currently sits as its deputy mayor, but this summer she's running against Mayor Jim Parsons for the top seat. Chaisson says it's because she feels the city council needs to be more transparent with its tax payers. "I want to move the city in a different direction. I want to use the philosophy of team approach. I want to work with everybody and move our city to being more sustainable and prosperous," Chaisson told CBC news. As a retired teacher who raised her family in Corner Brook, she says she has always been the people's voice at the table, taking their concerns to city hall, and hopefully getting them the answers they were seeking. "I am here for the residents," she said. Jim Parsons has been mayor for the last eight years, and he says the city has never been more transparent. "I don't think there is anything to complain about from the deputy's perspective," Parsons said during an interview at city hall. "I think city hall is more transparent now than it's ever been in the city's history." Parsons says since he took over, the city publishes more information and makes all agenda packages public. He says the councillors used to meet behind closed doors every week and he put an end to that system. City council meetings are also recorded and available live for the public's viewing. The city council in Corner Brook has been divided on issues before, and Chaisson believes it's time for Parsons to go. Chaisson says if she is elected mayor on Oct. 2 she will implement large town hall meetings where residents can partake in open discussion about city issues. "I want to open the doors and say this is your city hall, you are paying the taxes in here, you're keeping everything afloat," she said. "You should be here to tell us what we can do better and how we can improve and if we are doing a really good job, come in and let us know." While it is still very early in the campaign, Chaisson wants to get her burgundy and green posters ready for what she expects will be a busy summer speaking with residents and gathering votes. There was speculation over the winter that Parsons was interested in joining the provincial Conservatives to run against Liberal MHA Gerry Byrne in the upcoming provincial election. However, Parson said his plans have changed and he announced his re-election campaign for the mayor's seat a week ago, a day before Chaisson planned to announce her intentions. "I'll never rule out jumping to a provincial race. The right opportunity hasn't really availed itself just yet," Parsons said. He says being mayor of Corner Brook is never boring, and believes he's had big success with the new Jubilee Field complex, the new turf at Doug Sweetapple Field and the biggest project, the new Marina Redmond recreation complex that just recently opened. "My reputation has been a good one. We will see how it goes," he said. Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
CBC
30-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Corner Brook's new swimming pool is finally a reality
Years of waiting for a new recreation centre in Corner Brook are over with the opening of the Marina Redmond Centre. One of its biggest selling points is a new pool, which swimmers in the region say will improve their training and overall experience when it comes to swimming on the west coast.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Corner Brook needs permanent solution to housing problems, says mayor
The grey and black building at the end of Main Street in Corner Brook, N.L. is showing its age. The former Hotel Corner Brook was a staple for visitors to the city for decades. But the building's clientele has changed. Most of the rooms are now used for people who have nowhere else to go. Zachary Leprieur, 28, has been living there for 11 months. "It's definitely not a hotel, its a shelter," he told CBC News. Leprieur spends his days walking around West and Main streets. He says since the building changed ownership in the fall, the restaurant and bar inside closed. Staff now prepare his meals. "Yeah, they are packaged. They are not very healthy," he said. Leprieur is from Corner Brook, and grew up in the west coast city. He said he became homeless after getting evicted. Is a hotel turned shelter a problem, or part of the solution? 3 hours ago Duration 4:12 On Main Street in Corner Brook, Mayor Jim Parsons says more people are begging for change, and there's more petty crime. He says the issue is the location of an emergency shelter in the old Hotel Corner Brook. But advocates and residents say there's nowhere else to go. The CBC's Colleen Connors explains. Just doors away at city hall, Mayor Jim Parsons says he has noticed a change in the downtown. "We see more people begging for money, committing petty crimes. We have been immune to violent crime and large problems. But it's something we could nip in the bud," Parsons said. Increase in crime Parsons believes Corner Brook is a safe place to live, but the changes are noticeable. City enforcement officers recently removed every parking meter in the downtown area because more than half were vandalized over the winter months. The RNC says since 2022 there has been an increase in property crimes like theft and damage. "Our officers have increased patrols in that area and we look to have a higher visibility to have an impact on any type [of] petty crime activity such as property damage, theft," said Const. James Cadigan, the RNC's public communications officer. Parsons says he has met with people like Leprieur in his office, and he is worried that some who are living at Hotel Corner Brook are not getting the help they need. "I'm sure some of them are bored, some of them have mental issues, some of them have addictions issues and there doesn't seem to be the right wrap-around supports that are necessary for this kind of population," he said. The hotel isn't owned by the provincial government, but the province does pay $1.8 million a year to rent the rooms. The nightly fee is $200, and that includes a standard hotel room with a washroom and television and three meals a day. "The hotel has a robust staffing complement, including security and floor staff, and a security system that monitors activity inside and outside the facility," said Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation media relations manager Nancy Walsh in an emailed statement. "There is a housing support worker on site, and N.L. Housing recently hired a dedicated social worker in the western region to work with individuals experiencing homelessness." The number of rooms N.L. Housing books at the hotel vary from day to day. The 39-room hotel is not accepting any outside guests. The hotel's new owner and manager would not respond to CBC's requests for comment. Permanent solution needed This type of arrangement is not new. Hotel rooms have been used as emergency shelters for years in the city. But not to this extent, says Parsons, who would like to see a more permanent solution to the housing issue in Corner Brook. "One year, two years, is too long to have it operate like this," he said. But housing advocate Jade Kearley says there is nowhere else for people to go. "I know we see more visible homelessness and the panhandling and folks that are in need, but that's not necessarily the folks that are in our shelters," said Kearley with the Community Mental Health Initiative. "What residents need to know is there is nothing really affordable in our community. We are struggling to find affordable units for people that need housing. Right now, the current rate for rent for a one bedroom is $850. It's really not affordable for anyone who is in a fixed income or low income." She says since the hotel's change in ownership, services have improved, but the solution in her eyes is more affordable housing in the city. "It's not ideal, obviously, to be living in an emergency shelter, but we need one and so they are trying the best they can to help the individuals move on," she said. Long-term plan As for Leprieur, he has to call N.L. Housing every 30 days to extend his stay. He says he would like to have his own apartment so he could cook his own food. "There's a scattered number that have been there as long as I have amongst all of us. We are like family here, we grew up together we come from the same place," he said. "Nobody gives anybody any problems." The provincial government has promised 50 provincially owned housing units in Corner Brook by 2026 at a cost of $20 million. The multi-unit buildings will have a combination of one and two bedroom homes. N.L. Housing is in the process of organizing meetings with the mayor and community partners to discuss a coordinated response to housing and homelessness in the Corner Brook area.
