Fredericton Has Set the Bar.

Now It’s Time for the Province of New Brunswick to Show Up, Share Progress, and Clear It.

This afternoon, I attended the City of Fredericton’s Public Safety Committee meeting, where the first quarterly update on the Community Safety Task Force work since it released its report back on May 26, 2025. The focus of today’s update was on the 16 of 47 recommendations that are the City’s responsibility or involvement. Before I forget, I'll share more on the missing 31 in a bit.

The takeaway? Fredericton has shown what real leadership looks like. It has set the bar—high—and now the Province of New Brunswick needs to show it can clear it.

Source: City of Fredericton presentation at Public Safety Committee, August 7, 2025.

What the City Has Done

The City’s work isn’t just in motion—it’s measurable. Here’s what’s already underway:

• Lighting improvements on trails are underway, while the implementation plan for lighting at bus stops and key streets, prioritized using crime heatmaps and community input, is underway.

• A Community Safety Camera Strategy is being launched by the end of August. It will allow residents and businesses to submit footage to Fredericton Police securely.

• A General Investigative Unit is being established to manage Priority 3 and 4 incidents, strengthening enforcement and complementing the Community Engagement Unit. It will be fully operational before January 1, 2026, says Chief Forward.

• The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) pilot has been extended through December and continues to provide a visible, non-criminal response in business districts and the city.

• A 24/7 mobile outreach unit has been launched in partnership with the John Howard Society, with operational funding from Health Canada.

But here’s the rub: the 24/7 mobile outreach unit only has funding until March 2026, and there’s no renewal confirmed. It supports six full-time staff and provides ongoing services, not one-time infrastructure. If it proves effective, as many expect, then who funds it next? Will the City be asked to absorb another system-level responsibility, just as it did with CSSU? Or will the Province step in?

That’s a test of whether the upper levels of government — provincial and federal — are serious about moving beyond talk in improving community safety in Fredericton.

The Province Was Missing — And So Was Its Progress

Let’s be fair: today’s update was always intended to focus on the City-led items. But the absence of any representation from the Province was disappointing. It would have sent a strong signal of support to staff, council, and the community that this work matters.

I won’t say the Province is disengaged. But I will say this: we have no guarantee they’ll be present—or ready—with updates at the October 2 meeting. That’s when the recommendations owned by GNB departments and agencies come under the spotlight.

Right now:

• There’s no expectation the Province will share progress at that meeting.

• GNB is not contributing to the City’s public dashboard—a tool that sets a new standard for transparency.

As Councillor Grandy pointed out:

“If they aren’t here to answer questions, how can they be held accountable?”

That comment should ring in the ears of every cabinet minister representing Fredericton ridings, and every Deputy Minister responsible for mental health, housing, justice, or social development.

It was made clear that the role of the province in mental health and addictions is critical to success in community safety.

Source: City of Fredericton presentation at Public Safety Committee, August 7, 2025.

“This is one of the most critical deficiencies we have in our city. To be blunt, we need more support for people with mental health and addictions. And until those supports are in place, our police, fire, trail lighting, and public safety cameras, we’ll not achieve a significant improvement in our community.” Fredericton CAO, August 7, 2025.

There’s Still Time To Act

Fredericton has built the structure:

• The dashboard is live for you to track progress on the City’s community safety recommendations.

• The action plans are public.

• The execution — by the City on its recommendations — is underway and public in its progress.

There is no reason why the Province can’t plug into this reporting process. In fact, the Liberal government campaigned on transparency and open government. The framework is there. The platform is built. All it takes now is the political will to contribute. This is the test:

1. Can GNB match the performance standards the City has already met?

2. Can it clear the bar Fredericton has set?

I’m not asking for perfection—I’m asking for participation. Fredericton has shown what’s possible. Now it’s time for our provincial leaders to show up, share progress, and be accountable.

To the folks Province: show your team can clear the bar Fredericton set today. On October 2, we’ll all be watching.

In closing, I’ll share one last comment made by the Chief Administrative Officer earlier today that underscores the importance of their participation on October 2:

“This needs to be everybody at the table. And until we find ways to support these individuals, they will continue to create a perception of a lack of safety for our citizens.” Fredericton CAO, August 7, 2025.

Community safety is my five core commitments to Ward 10: to listen, lead with transparency, support smart growth, strengthen community well-being, and make City Hall more accessible to everyone. As your candidate, and with your support, I’ll continue to show up, listen closely, and work together to build a safer, stronger, and more connected Ward 10.

Your voice matters — and this is your space to be heard.

Ward 10 comprises a diverse range of people, perspectives, and priorities. Whether you’re concerned about housing, traffic, green space, affordability, or want to share an idea or experience, this campaign starts by listening to you.