Monthly Archives: September 2025

My Thoughts, Sunday Stuff

The United Nations utter incompetence

The United Nations has once again proven its utter incompetence when it comes to matters of global importance — especially the Russia–Ukraine war. For years, the UN has positioned itself as the world’s peacekeeper, yet when the moment for real action arrives, all we see are empty statements, symbolic votes, and endless “condemnations” with no teeth.

The Russia–Ukraine conflict is a glaring example: millions displaced, thousands killed, cities reduced to rubble — and what has the UN delivered? Endless meetings. Vetoes blocking any meaningful resolutions. Bureaucratic paralysis while civilians pay the price. The Security Council, crippled by its own structure, allows aggressors to wield absolute power over outcomes, making the entire institution look like a stage for hypocrisy rather than a defender of peace.

And it’s not just Ukraine. Time and again, whether in Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, or countless humanitarian crises, the UN’s involvement has been characterized by delay, indecision, and a failure to protect those most in need. The pattern is clear: speeches instead of solutions, committees instead of consequences, promises instead of protection.

The world deserves better than an international body that claims authority but consistently shows itself powerless. Until the UN reforms itself from the ground up, it will remain little more than a talking shop — a monument to inaction while wars rage on and human suffering continues unchecked.

History

On This Day

Significant Events in and Around Saint John, NB Tied to September

While specific September dates in Saint John’s long history are sparse, here are key September-related milestones that shaped the city and region:

1. First Statutory Labour Day Celebrated—September 4, 1894

Canada’s first statutory Labour Day was observed on Monday, September 4, 1894, with vibrant celebrations in Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton Reddit. This marked a turning point in labour recognition and festive labor solidarity.

2. Naval Skirmish—September 22, 1691

During King William’s War, a naval battle off Saint John occurred on September 22, 1691. French forces intercepted a British ketch carrying the governor of Acadia near the Bay of Fundy, resulting in an early wartime victory for France Wikipedia.

3. UNB Saint John Campus Opening—September 1964

The University of New Brunswick’s Saint John campus officially began holding classes in September 1964, initially hosted at Beaverbrook House before expanding to the Tucker Park campus lib.unb.caUNB Librariesunb.ca.

4. Earlier Military Deployments—September 1807

In September 1807, components of the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot were stationed in Saint John as part of defense deployments along the Bay of Fundy Wikipedia.

5. Persistent Labour Traditions Rooted in 1849 (September-Linked Echoes)

Though not tied to a specific September date, it’s notable that in 1849, Saint John marked itself as the birthplace of Canada’s first trade union—the Labourers’ Benevolent Association—highlighting a legacy that continued to resonate into events like the Labour Day celebrations Wikipedia.

Monthwide Cultural and Historical Traditions in September

  • Mi’kmaq Seasonal Traditions
    Beginning mid-September, the Mi’kmaq engaged in moose calling, fishing, and shellfish gathering, followed by migrations to river tributaries for eel—rich reflections of Indigenous seasonal rhythms benoitfirstnation.ca.

  • Immigration and Maritime Heritage
    Although not date-specific to early September, Saint John’s identity as a key Loyalist settlement (1783–1785), its shipbuilding prominence, and its significant Irish influx during the 1840s contributed to its broader cultural tapestry saintjohn.caWikipedia.

🌟 Highlights at a Glance

Date Event
Sep 4, 1894 First statutory Labour Day celebrated in Saint John
Sep 22, 1691 Naval battle off Saint John during King William’s War
September 1964 Opening of UNB Saint John campus
September 1807 Military deployment of the 104th Regiment to Saint John
Mid-September Indigenous seasonal practices by the Mi’kmaq community
Today

Home Prices Taking a Breather

Home Prices Taking a Breather in the Maritimes: A Buyer’s Moment?

While Canada’s housing market continues to cool, the Maritimes—a region often seen as a national safe haven—might finally be showing signs of softening. Here’s a snapshot of what’s really happening:

The Big National Picture

Recent projections point to a 2% national decline in home prices in 2025, with an estimated 3% dip already recorded this year—largely due to waning buyer confidence amid trade tensions and economic uncertainty Reuters. Further, home prices are now expected to lag behind inflation, rising only modestly in 2025, even as inflation continues to climb Reuters.

Spotting the Slowdown in the Maritimes

  • A Desjardins report flagged the Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI) as poised for the largest home-price corrections in Canada—a notable turn given how hot these markets became during the pandemic CTVNews.

  • Anecdotal coverage and analysis suggest that in areas like Fredericton, Halifax, and Charlottetown, sellers are encountering more negotiating power from buyers—particularly in Halifax’s condo market and Charlottetown, where listings have outpaced demand Trendonomist.

Not All Decline—Local Nuance

That said, local, more granular data indicates a more mixed picture:

  • In June 2025, Nova Scotia and PEI still saw year-over-year price increases, despite minor monthly dips. Halifax’s average home price stood at around C$488,760 (0.9% below May) but remained 6.1% higher year-over-year. Similar trends appeared in PEI, with prices around C$403,987, down 1.7% month-over-month but still up 6.6% year-over-year WOWA.

  • Markets in Moncton and Saint John remain relatively resilient, with modest price growth (e.g. Moncton: 6.1% YoY) and seller-leaning market conditions Canada Housing Market.

What’s Driving the Shift?

  • The Maritimes’ dramatic pandemic-era price surges—fueled by migration and limited supply—are now beginning to see market corrections as affordability pressures mount and inventory grows CTVNewsTrendonomist.

  • Despite still growing year-over-year, monthly decreases suggest early signs of cooling, particularly in condo-heavy markets and areas seeing a jump in listings WOWACanada Housing Market.