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CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
St. John's considers ramping up security on walking trails following string of random assaults
The City of St. John's is looking at boosting its security presence to include public walking trails following three separate assaults on city trails this summer. St. John's Mayor Danny Breen said public safety has become a top concern for residents in the city's resident satisfaction surveys. "It's probably leading in terms of issues that are being brought to us," Breen told CBC. The city is working with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary to develop safety plans in locations where the dynamics of the public space have changed. "Safety and security, the issue has changed a lot in the last few years," Breen said. For example, the city has hired a patrol of private security to service Bannerman Park and the downtown pedestrian mall. Breen said security measures have also been adjusted for large events like the Churchill Park Music Festival and the Royal St. John's Regatta. Breen has been an advocate for increasing police foot patrols in the downtown area of St. John's. With recent reports of two women and one teenage girl getting assaulted by random men between June and July, Breen said the city is working with the RNC to see how they can keep public walking trails safe. The first assault took place on a walking trail in the city's east end on June 15. A girl was walking with her mother when she was approached by a man not known to her, robbed, and sexually assaulted. Less than a month later, the RNC reported a woman was physically injured on June 14, after a man she didn't know assaulted her on the Virginia River Trail near Churchill Avenue shortly after 9 a.m. N.T. On July 23, another woman sustained physical injuries after a man she didn't know attacked her near the soccer field in Bowring Park around 11:30 a.m. N.T. Breen said the city is facing new challenges with illicit drugs in recent years. "The ... illegal drug problem in the city right now is significant and it's one that is not easily solved," he said. "We're working together to try to make the city safer so people can use the facilities and can move around the city in a safe manner." In the meantime, Breen is advising residents to avoid walking alone and to walk with a charged cell phone. "Be aware of your surroundings, wherever you are in the city, and be alert, and if you see anything, no matter what it is, just call the RNC," he said.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Danny Breen seeks re-election as St. John's mayor
Danny Breen isn't planning to leave municipal politics anytime soon. The St. John's mayor of eight years announced Monday that he will be seeking re-election for the city's top job this October. "We have seen significant achievements as our city has grown and prospered," Breen wrote in a post on socieal media. "However, we still face challenges." St. John's will be busy this summer, playing host to a variety of festivals and events — including the Canada Games — giving Breen an opportunity to meet with residents to discuss the city's future, the post said. He mistakenly included a photo of a different man in an announcement email to the media Monday morning. Breen is currently the only mayoral candidate, but nominations are open from Aug. 28 until Sept. 4, before residents head to the polls. Longtime St. John's Coun. Ron Ellsworth recently announced that he'll be running for deputy mayor. Once mail voting kits are sent to St. John's residents, ballots can be returned through Canada Post until Sept. 24. Election Day falls on Oct. 2. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
N.L. government, St. John's offering paid leave to employees to volunteer at Canada Games
Both the Newfoundland and Labrador government and the City of St. John's are encouraging their public service employees to volunteer at the Canada Games this August, and offering them paid time off to do it. St. John's Mayor Danny Breen told CBC News time off would need to be approved by their managers, but the city is offering 16 hours of paid leave for volunteering — eight hours per week for each week of the event. "It's a way that we can support the Canada Games, a way that we can support the volunteer capacity and allow our staff to volunteer," Breen said. "Many city employees will be volunteering far more than that, so it's seen as kind of just a small part of their total commitment." In an email sent on behalf of the provincial Treasury Board Secretariat, communications director Diana Quinton said they're "offering public service employees up to six paid days of leave to volunteer directly with the Canada Summer Games, where operationally feasible." "Employees who have already booked leave during the games may switch to special leave with pay under this exemption, provided they meet the criteria," the email said. Quinton's email said they didn't know yet how many employees would be included in the paid leave. On Wednesday, the Canada Games said they had officially exceeded their 5,000 volunteer recruiting goal. Speaking with reporters on June 18, host society co-chair Karl Smith said around 500 people came forward when the paid leave was introduced. In a recent interview, Premier John Hogan said he welcomed the plan. Public sector employees want to volunteer, he said, but can't control that some events happen during the workday. "It's a big production, and it needs lots of volunteers. And I think it's a great thing that people throughout the community be given that time if necessary [and] they want to volunteer," Hogan said. "This doesn't come along very often. It's an honour to host the Canada Games here and have all Canadians from across the country coast-to-coast-to-coast come to St. John's." Download our to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our . Click .
CBC
12-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
It's lit and launched: the 2025 Canada Games torch is on its way to N.L. from Ottawa
Former gold medal winners, St. John's Mayor Danny Breen and Canada Games officials were among the group gathered to light the torch from the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill. The torch is scheduled to arrive in N.L. on June 28.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. John's will be 'on wheels' this summer, mayor says of tourism, Canada Games boost
St. John's is expected to be busier than usual this summer as the city prepares to host the Canada Games for the first time in nearly 50 years, according to Mayor Danny Breen. "This place is going to be on wheels," Breen told CBC News. "This is going to be a big year for tourism." In August, St. John's is opening the doors to thousands of athletes, coaches and fans. That's on top of the regular influx of tourists who travel to Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city from around the world each summer. "We're expecting about 4,500 athletes and 10,000 or 15,000 visitors here," Breen said. The St. John's Port Authority also expects to be kept busy. Breen said 39 cruise ships have scheduled stops in St. John's between May and September. The Celebrity Silhouette, one of the largest cruise ships scheduled to stop in St. John's, will arrive on July 10 alongside its 2,886 passengers. "You add 2,800 people to the downtown area and throughout the city, it's noticeable," Breen said. Six more ships will arrive during the Canada Games. Four of the six ships have more than 1,000 passengers. "One thing about Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is we love to host people," Breen said. "That's going to add again to the excitement." With more Canadians choosing to travel within Canada this year, the province will be a popular destination all summer. Marine Atlantic corporate communications officer Darrell Mercer told CBC News that summer ferry bookings have increased by 7,000 compared to last year. Mercer said more passengers are coming from every province and territory, and even the United States. "Within Canada, our biggest increases are from Ontario and Quebec, with the smallest increases coming from the territories," Mercer said. "We've seen over 350 additional bookings from the United States this year versus last year." Hotels in St. John's are also booking fast. Shawn Basha helps manage the Jag Hotel in downtown St. John's and the Capitol Hotel on Kenmount Road. Basha said finding a hotel room in August will be challenging for those who haven't already booked. "It's pretty much full on … capacity every night," he said, adding that a lot is happening in addition to the Canada Games in August. "August is always a very popular time for people to come to St. John's because of the George Street Festival, and it seems like everybody gets married in August." As the city prepares for the summer and the Canada Games, Basha said he's not sure St. John's area residents realize how busy the next few months will be. "I think people know … but I don't think they fully realize yet, how many people are actually going to be in this city this summer," he said. "If anybody has family coming in, they're going to find it hard to get flights. You're not going to be able to rent a car. You won't be able to get a room at certain times." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
