Grand Manan Islanders Head to Ottawa to Continue Fight to Save Island's Only Bank

From organizing public meetings to protests, Greg Russell of Grand Manan has been leading the charge fighting to save the island's only bank before Scotiabank closes its doors on August 24. Russell recently traveled to Ottawa for an in-person meeting with senior officials from the federal finance minister's office to make a plea for government intervention. The meeting was arranged by New Brunswick Southwest MP John Williamson who accompanied Russell and Grand Manan Mayor Bonnie Morse to the meeting.

"It's all we could have hoped for," said Russell. "They said, of course, they could not make any commitment that day, and we knew that going in. We weren't looking for commitment that day--we were looking for an audience to explain the unbelievable hardships created by this decision." 

Although federal officials have no regulatory authority over Scotiabank’s decision, Russell is still hopeful that a solution can be found before the end of August. In a statement to CHCO, Scotiabank says their decision to close the bank is final.
 
The annual Charlotte County Pride Walk took place in St. George over the weekend. It was the first time St. George played host to the walk, and it drew one of the largest groups of participants in its history with over 70 people walking from the St. George Mall through downtown and ending the walk at Eagles Nest Picnic Area.

The Town of Saint Andrews marked National Indigenous Peoples Day with an outdoor celebration in Centennial Park on Tuesday. Members of the Peskotomuhkati Nation provided prayer, song and lessons in culture and indigenous crafts and also served traditional food.

10 Ukrainian families have relocated to Charlotte County as refugees in recent weeks. Quoddy Quilters have made three quilts, two to donate to new Ukrainian families in the community and one to raffle in support of Ukraine. You can buy raffle tickets at the Wee Fabric Shop in St. Andrews. The draw will take place on July 1.

Finally, Maureen Collrin of Saint John made CHCO TV Bingo history last week when she took home a $5000 prize winning the jackpot round on the lucky ball, the biggest single-game prize winner of all-time. Collrin who buys her cards every week at Scholtens Loch Lomond already knows how she's going to spend her winnings.