'We're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,' New Brunswickers sense return to normal is close
With Monday quickly approaching, the countdown to New Brunswick's 75 per cent vaccination goal to gradually reopen the province is in its final days. While hopeful the province will make the switch to the first phase of the Path to Green, many New Brunswickers are cautiously optimistic of what Monday may bring.
"Setting targets is good, setting dates is good. Sometimes it may lead to false expectations, however, ultimately, we will get there," said Sackville mayor-elect, Shawn Mesheau.
Mesheau says living in a border town means he's been paying close attention to whether the province will get the green light to begin the reopening plan.
"We have folks who are working in Amherst and surrounding areas ... same as folks that are working in that area of ns, that are working over here ... to be able to get back to some sense of being able to cross that border without restrictions will be so important to us," said Mesheau.
Essential workers, including truck drivers, are also looking forward to the idea of seamless border crossings, once again. With current COVID-19 regulations, truck drivers must follow modified self-isolation guidelines for 14 days upon entering the province. They are asked to stay home at all times, except for when picking up essential necessities of life and medical appointments.
Jean-Marc Picard, the executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, says the restrictions made the job even more difficult on drivers.
"It was a bit of a struggle for the last few months coming home and isolating so now that we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, we'll hit that mark," said Picard.
Picard says he is skeptical the province will hit the vaccination target by Monday, but he's also hopeful it won't be long after.
"Most of the drivers leave for work on Monday and come back home at the end of the week. So, as long as it's by Friday, we'll probably be okay with it.
Sports fans will also benefit from a shift to phase one in the Path to Green plan. A loosening of restrictions means the bleachers at Rocky Stone Field in Moncton's Centennial Park may not stay empty for long.
Greater Moncton Football Association President, Dennis Ronan says fans will be a welcome sight.
"Parents like to cheer on their kids and kids like to hear that cheering from the stands. Especially in a game like football, but all sports really, those athletes thrive from the support of the crowd, that's really what we've been missing and we're so looking forward to having that back," said Ronan.
As of Friday, the province was reporting 67.4 per cent of eligible residents aged 12 and older have had their initial vaccine. More than 50,000 New Brunswickers will need to receive their first dose within the next three days for the province to move to phase one of the Path to Green.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.