Saint John is Feeling Itself
Old loyalties, new money, and a rare afternoon of optimism on the waterfront
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There was a touch of alumni weekend bonhomie the day the federal transportation minister came to town.
Before he was the proud representative of Gatineau, Que., Steven MacKinnon was the proud son of PEI and a Frank McKenna loyalist.
Back when I first met him in the dying days of the last century, we were both young transplants, me as a reporter with the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, and he as the executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Party.
So, when MacKinnon stood at the podium in the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal on January 13th and remarked to his Saint John audience that the city had really changed, it was informed by memories of being a young politico hustling for votes and organizing the 1998 Liberal Leadership Convention that crowned Camille Theriault leader at Harbour Station (now TD Station).
“This city is looking damn good,” he said with a smile and a nod to the sea of suits and sensible shoes-clad business people and fellow politicians, who responded in kind with applause and a few ‘whoot, whoots.’
White, tailored shirts in particular, at least on Saint John-Kennebecasis MP Wayne Long, known for his colourful attire, who, upon joining the federal cabinet as Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions, joked that he has ‘Carney-fied’ his wardrobe.
On this particular day, Saint John was feeling itself – or at least the movers and dealers in the room were.
In a city accustomed to challenging news, in a province with a challenging economic environment, on this particular Tuesday in January, there was an air of something not often felt in fatalistic Saint John – hope.
“I am deeply in love with this province,” said MacKinnon. “I spent a lot of my time, my energy, and a lot of good years helping a lot of good people help move this province forward.
“And this province is going to be, once again, called to be part of a national effort.”
Thanks to a mixture of faith, risk and timing, Port Saint John’s newish container terminal may be just what Canada needs.
In a world that seems to get more dangerous and unsettling by the day, small triumphs are welcome.
Wandering in from the cold, people greeted each other heartily with shoulder pats, hugs and laughter, because, this being the Maritimes, most people knew each other.
Former Port Saint John CEO and now New Brunswick Senator Jim Quinn was there, chatting with his former right hand and current Port COO Andrew Dixon, joking with each other and regaling Moosehead Breweries CEO Andrew Oland with their stories.
Quispamsis resident and former New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs stood tall near a centre table, looking relaxed and jovial, as did his former caucus mates and eventual revolt leaders Dorothy Shepherd and Trevor Holder, who were seated a few tables over.
Charlene Hayes, Frank McKenna’s special assistant, chatted amiably with Saint John Chamber CEO Shannon Merrifield, the ostensible host of the luncheon.
Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon moved through the room, chatting with everyone, including councillor Barry Ogden, their former council mate provincial Housing Minister David Hickey, and Saint John-Kennebecasis MP and Secretary of State Wayne Long.
And that was just the luncheon.
Following it, the celebration and speeches across the parking lot to the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal for bubbling wine in flute glasses and a charcuterie spread for the group ribbon-cutting to officially open the $247 million container terminal and west side modernization project.
That’s when New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt joined the party to congratulate everyone who made it happen.
Listening off to the side was the man who wants to replace her, Conservative leadership candidate and former Municipalities minister Daniel Allain, accompanied by long-time Conservative operative and former provincial party executive director Lisa Keenan.
The last word went to Port SJ COO Andrew Dixon, who, after a three-decade career on Saint John’s waterfront, will retire at the end of the month.
“I spent the last 30 years working at this port, helping to move cargo in and out and before me, my father spent almost 50 years just around the corner, in Courtney Bay, building ships to carry cargo. Many of us are proud to have ties to this port, which reach back a very long time,” he said.
“So when we cut the ribbon that ushers in the next period of prosperity fueled by the Port of Saint John, it’s worth noting that it has always been the resolve and the tenacity of the people like you that create a bright and prosperous future for our city, our province, and an essential service for the benefit of Canada.”
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