Not a usual Victoria Day weekend for Charlotte County

The Victoria Day day long weekend is considered by many to be the unofficial kick off to summer in New Brunswick. While the weather  certainly agreed with that notion this year, in some ways the calendar was very different. In Saint Andrews, the annual music and nature festival Paddlefest was cancelled due to COVID-19, but that didn't stop locals and visitors alike from coming to town now that the government has given the green light for parks, trails, campgrounds, stores and restaurants to open in the orange phase of New Brunswick's recovery plan. Social distancing restrictions still apply as well as a limit to outdoor gatherings to 10 or fewer people with 2 metres between each person not sharing the same household bubble.

Some retailers still decided to keep their doors closed, while others were keen to open and are optimistic about the season ahead. "You're going to see a lot of local movement around New Brunswick and people discover their own province," said Mark McGuire, owner of McGuire Chocolate in Saint Andrews. "I think we are still going to have a good summer."

Schools in New Brunswick will remain closed for the rest of the school year, which has created a very different kind of grad year for grade 12 students across the province. That's why St. Stephen High School decided to recognize its seniors with a surprise tribute this week: large placards of their grad photos displayed across St. Stephen as well as on the high school's electronic billboard. "A few of the teachers from our school came and surprised us at our houses," said high school graduate Tyra Greenlaw.

Justin Tinker, Chair of the Campobello Island Year-Round Ferry Year, recently met with Premier Higgs to discuss potential transportation options to link the island to the mainland year-round. This is an issue that's gained even more attention during the COVID-19  pandemic with islanders having to rely on a bridge through the United States to access the rest of New Brunswick. Tinker believes a year-round link with the year if the provincial and federal governments can cooperate on the project.

"Right now, we have support from the local council and the provincial government. The next step is getting Ottawa to the table," said Tinker. 

Part of New Brunswick's successful navigation through the pandemic thus far has been in part thanks to the province's political parties working together on the pandemic task force, according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jennifer Russell. "Having the support of the government--an all cabinet party committee--is unique in Canada, and is part of New Brunswick's success," said Dr. Russell.