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
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
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.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.