N.B. public safety minister defends new jail after costs more than double to $66 million
The New Brunswick government says cost estimates for the new jail in Grand Lake, which have more than doubled, won’t derail the $66 million project.
When it was first announced in 2021, costs for the proposed Central New Brunswick Correctional Centre were pegged at $32 million.
Last year, that estimate increased to $42 million.
With departmental estimates underway inside the New Brunswick Legislature, a new estimate of $66 million was revealed.
This week at estimates, Department of Public Safety Minister Kris Austin blamed the latest cost estimate increase on inflation and referred to it as “the same kind of sticker shock you get when you go to the grocery store.”
“I went back to my department and said look, if you can sharpen your pencil and find every savings you can. I know they have already done that in several cases because the $66 million could’ve been higher,” said Austin, on Thursday. “But they’ve weened that back as much as they could.”
Austin said a more definitive cost estimate would be available later this fall during the tendering process, but didn’t detail what had already been scaled back by department staff.
‘Alarming’ cost estimate
Liberal MLA Jacques LeBlanc said the new $66 million cost estimate was “alarming,” and asked if the project would be “reconsidered” due to the higher estimate.
“At this point and time it’s very concerning about the increase in cost of that institution,” said LeBlanc, on Friday. “We’re even into the [request for proposal] section.”
Austin called the need for a new jail “critical,” citing 106 per cent capacity at correctional facilities on April 1.
Earlier this month, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Richard Ames said two phases of the Grand Lake project should be finished by August, including tree clearing, site excavation, and grading.
Initial plans had the new jail being built within Fredericton’s Vanier Industrial Park. The provincial government abandoned that plan, following a mix of opinion around the neighbourhood. The Grand Lake location was announced in late July 2023.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defense.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a 'tragic mistake' had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and killed at least 45 people.