Housing, smells and roads at the heart of the Beaurivage mayoral race

Beaurivage is one of many new entities created as part of the Higgs government’s municipal reform. It will bring together Richibucto, Saint-Louis-de-Kent, Saint-Charles, Aldouane and Saint-Ignace.

In this part of Kent County, about 80 kilometers north of Moncton, the lack of housing is glaring. The three candidates for mayor – who will try to be elected on November 28 – agree on this subject.

The most important issues in the short and medium term are housing for families, employment and infrastructuresays candidate Brian Stevens.

This retired marine microbiologist affirms that these three elements are essential to the growth of Beaurivage, since they make it possible to attract and retain people.

Without the base, we are nothing. We must all come together and work together, not separatelyhe said.

Roger Doiron, who was mayor of Richibucto until 2021, is also running. The lack of housing of all kinds weighs on his community, he says.

In the region, we have more jobs than we have manpower. We can’t attract people to work if we don’t have accommodation to offer themsays Roger Doiron.

He explains that the problem affects both young and old. At the level of seniors, we would have houses that could be sold because they would like to move out of their house. But they have no place to stay. They don’t necessarily want to move to Dieppe or Moncton. It is a major challenge.

The third candidate, entrepreneur Arnold Vautour, agrees. Myself, if I sell my house today, where am I going? There is no accommodation. Whether it is for $500 per month or $900 per month or 1200. There is no accommodation!

This former mayor of Saint-Louis-de-Kent also fears that this situation will hamper the economic development of Beaurivage and push some residents to move to the largest urban centers in the Southeast.

We don’t want to lose them whether they go to Dieppe or Moncton or elsewhere. We want to keep these people with us. It is important that we have different levels of housing for our people to keep them heresays Arnold Vautour.

The fact remains that housing is above all a provincial and federal jurisdiction. It is these governments that are responsible for various things that impact the market and the supply of apartments and residences.

In addition, New Brunswick municipalities – like Beaurivage when it officially comes into being on January 1, 2023 – have limited means. In particular, they cannot run a budget deficit.

The three candidates for mayor of Beaurivage still propose to do what is in their power in this file.

I’m going to go see the investors – and I know them a bit – that I think they’re ready to come to us for housing. We must not forget that we are also going to work with the levels of governmentsays Arnold Vautour.

Roger Doiron makes similar comments. It is certain that at present, there is money that exists. There are funds that are there at the provincial and federal level. We have to find a way to get them.he said.

As for Brian Stevens, he says that developers are preparing to launch apartment block projects in the region. He proposes to work with them and with all the communities of Beaurivage in this file.

A tricky subject: the Coastal Shell Products plant

Another hot topic that is getting attention, especially in Richibucto, is Coastal Shell Products. This Richibucto plant dries seafood shells. It is located near a school and residences.

Local residents have been complaining for years about the bad odors emanating from the factory. About sixty of them also gathered on Tuesday evening to hear what the candidates had to offer in this file.

The three aspiring mayors all agree that a way must be found to reduce bad smells.

[Les responsables de Coast Shell Products] need to improve infrastructure [pour s’attaquer aux odeurs] or else move. But they won’t work. That, I can tell you; they won’t leavesays Brian Stevens.

Arnold Vautour, for his part, affirms that odors must be tackled. I say that it cannot stay as it is, because the town of Beaurivage and the region, we are going to be losers. There are no people who will come to settle here and develop in the region with this scent.

Roger Doiron asserts that it is necessary to recognize that the people who live near the plant are frustrated and that they are impatient. However, he calls for collaboration.

I think right now you have to start at the beginning. That is to say to want to collaborate with the new owners. And after a while, if the work does not succeed, then we will decide what the new strategy will be.believes Roger Doiron.

The worst road in the province is in Saint-Louis

The state of the roads is also on everyone’s lips, especially in Saint-Louis-de-Kent. As soon as you cross the boundary of Saint-Louis-de-Kent, the condition of Route 134 – which is also Principale Street – drops dramatically.

It is said that the path to Saint-Louis is not acceptable. I would say the worst road in the province is in Saint-Louis. So it’s a matter that needs to be settled next year.notes Arnold Vulture.

Roger Doiron also indicates that this issue is on his radar. It is certain that the roads will be an important element of development. So I think it’s a sector of the Saint-Louis region that is important to develop.

As for Brian Stevens, he affirms that the new municipality of Beaurivage will be better equipped to carry out the most pressing road works.

St. Louis did not have the necessary funds or tax base. It was the same thing at Saint-Charles. There, the whole financial structure changes, the portrait changes completelyhe says.