Category Archives: Sunday Stuff
Fall Or Autumn?
Both are correct. 🍂
- Fall — more common in Canadian and American everyday English, especially in sports, news, and casual writing.
- Autumn — a little more traditional or formal and is especially common in British English.
For BevNice.ca and our Saint John/Atlantic Canada readers, I would use “fall” in a sports post because it sounds natural:
For a post about New Brunswick colours, scenery, or seasonal traditions, “autumn” can give it a warmer, more picturesque feel.
The Cost of Heatwaves
The Cost of Heatwaves
Heatwaves are more than a stretch of uncomfortable weather. They can come with a significant economic, health and social cost — affecting households, businesses, governments and communities.
As extreme heat becomes more frequent and intense, communities across Canada are having to think differently about how they prepare for hot weather.
The hidden cost of extreme heat
The most obvious cost of a heatwave can be higher electricity bills. Air conditioners, fans and heat pumps run longer as people try to keep homes and businesses cool. For households already facing high living costs, several days of extreme heat can add another financial burden.
Businesses can also feel the impact. Outdoor workers may need more frequent breaks, while construction, agriculture, landscaping and other heat-sensitive industries can experience reduced productivity. Some businesses may have to change working hours or temporarily suspend outdoor operations.
There can also be damage to roads, infrastructure and equipment when extreme heat reaches unusual levels.
The health cost
The biggest cost of a heatwave can be measured in human health.
Extreme heat can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. It can also make existing health problems worse, particularly among older adults, young children and people who spend extended periods outdoors.
Hospitals and emergency services can face additional pressure during prolonged periods of extreme heat.
For families, the consequences can include medical expenses, missed work and lost income.
New Brunswick is not immune
New Brunswick has traditionally experienced a more moderate climate than many parts of Canada, but that does not mean the province is protected from extreme heat.
Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and communities across the province can experience periods of unusually hot weather. Humidity can make conditions feel even hotter, increasing the strain on people who work or spend significant amounts of time outdoors.
For communities that have not historically relied heavily on air conditioning, extreme heat can present an additional challenge. Homes, apartments and public buildings may not always be designed with prolonged heat in mind.
The cost to workers
Heat can have a direct impact on workplace productivity and safety.
Outdoor workers in construction, road maintenance, forestry, agriculture and other industries can be particularly vulnerable. Employers may need to provide additional water, cooling areas, rest breaks and schedule changes.
Those measures have a cost, but so does failing to take precautions.
A heat-related workplace injury can mean medical treatment, lost wages, reduced productivity and increased costs for employers and the broader economy.
The cost to cities
Municipalities also have to prepare.
Cities may need to establish cooling centres, increase public messaging, check on vulnerable residents and adjust emergency-response plans.
Urban areas can become especially hot because pavement, buildings and other surfaces absorb and retain heat. Trees, parks and shaded areas can help reduce temperatures, but expanding and maintaining green infrastructure also requires investment.
That raises an important question: Is it cheaper to prepare for extreme heat now, or pay the much larger costs after a heat emergency occurs?
What can be done?
Preparing for heatwaves does not necessarily require enormous investments.
Simple measures can make a difference:
- Planting and protecting trees.
- Increasing shade in public spaces.
- Improving insulation and ventilation in homes.
- Making cooling centres easily accessible.
- Checking on elderly neighbours and other vulnerable residents.
- Providing better heat protection for outdoor workers.
- Improving public warnings during extreme heat.
- Designing new buildings with hotter summers in mind.
These investments can help reduce health risks while making communities more comfortable and resilient.
A growing cost of climate change
The cost of heatwaves is not limited to the price of electricity or the expense of running an air conditioner.
It includes lost productivity, pressure on hospitals, emergency response, workplace disruptions, infrastructure impacts and, most importantly, the potential loss of life.
For New Brunswick communities, preparing for extreme heat should increasingly be viewed as an investment in public safety.
The question is no longer simply “How hot will it get?”
It is also “How much will it cost if we aren’t prepared?”
Bottom line
Heatwaves may last only a few days, but their consequences can last much longer. Preparing homes, workplaces and communities before the next extreme heat event arrives could save money — and potentially save lives.
What’s Happening Across New Brunswick This Week
What’s Happening Across New Brunswick This Week
August 10–16, 2026
New Brunswick is in the middle of a busy August week, with housing, health care, transportation, community events and regional development among the issues making news.
Here’s a look at what’s happening around the province.
🌊 Saint John & Southern New Brunswick
Traffic and summer activity
Saint John residents are dealing with several traffic interruptions this week.
On Wednesday, August 12, Main Street between Metcalf Street and Lansdowne Avenue is affected by the annual Marigolds on Main Street event. Northbound traffic is closed to through traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with detours in place.
Another traffic advisory affects Durham Street between Victoria Street and Newman Street on Thursday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The city’s annual watermain and hydrant-flushing program also began August 10 in East Saint John. Residents may notice temporary changes in water appearance or pressure while work is underway.
Housing
Housing remains an important issue for Saint John. Earlier this summer, the province announced that work was nearing completion on 12 affordable housing units at the House of Merritt, with the project expected to open this fall.
Worth watching: housing, transportation, port activity, downtown development and summer tourism.
🏙️ Moncton & Greater Moncton
A busy week downtown
Greater Moncton continues to be one of the province’s busiest growth centres, and the city is preparing for another active summer weekend.
The Atlantic Dance Festival runs August 14–18, bringing performances and events to downtown Moncton.
The Quinzou Parade is also scheduled for Saturday, August 15. Main Street between Weldon Street and Orange Lane will close temporarily as the parade passes, beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Motorists should also be aware of ongoing work and transportation changes. The city has announced transit service improvements and a closure on Vaughan Harvey Boulevard.
Housing and growth
Rapid population growth continues to put pressure on housing and infrastructure across Greater Moncton. Housing availability, transportation and the ability of infrastructure to keep pace with growth remain important issues for the region.
Worth watching: housing, population growth, transportation, business development and downtown events.
🏛️ Fredericton & Central New Brunswick
Housing remains a priority
Fredericton continues to see investment in housing. The provincial government recently announced that 13 new public-housing units for families are being added in Fredericton and Oromocto.
The City of Fredericton has also highlighted federal and provincial investment in housing-enabling infrastructure, intended to help support additional home construction.
Health care and the provincial government
Fredericton remains the centre of provincial decision-making, with health care, housing and affordability among the major issues facing the Higgs government.
One of the newest announcements is a provincial call for proposals to create 360 additional long-term-care beds for seniors. The government says the additional capacity is intended to help relieve pressure on hospitals.
Fredericton is also one of the best places in the province to follow the policy discussions that affect every New Brunswicker.
Worth watching: provincial politics, housing, health care, education, energy and infrastructure.
🌲 Miramichi
Community and outdoor activities
Miramichi continues to have a strong summer events calendar.
The city’s community calendar lists Eclipse to Stars on August 12, giving residents an opportunity to experience the day’s partial solar eclipse and evening skywatching.
The region is also keeping an eye on issues involving health-care access, forestry and rural infrastructure — issues that have a particularly large impact on communities throughout northeastern New Brunswick.
Looking beyond the city
For the wider Miramichi region, forestry and natural-resource management remain important parts of the local economy. The provincial government continues to advertise forestry-related positions in the region, including a Forest Ranger position based in Miramichi.
Worth watching: health care, forestry, rural infrastructure, tourism and community development.
❄️ Northern New Brunswick
Investment and community development
Northern New Brunswick continues to see attention on housing, infrastructure and regional economic development.
The province recently announced 10 new public-housing units in Campbellton, with the homes expected to be ready within weeks.
The provincial government has also continued to promote economic development and investment opportunities in northern communities, including Bathurst, Campbellton, Edmundston and surrounding areas.
Summer festivals are also providing a boost to northern and northeastern communities. Tourism New Brunswick’s current event calendar includes the Fricot Franco Festival in Le Goulet from August 12–16 and the Sand Castle Festival in Le Goulet from August 13–16.
Worth watching: housing, forestry, tourism, health-care access, infrastructure and regional investment.
🌑 Across New Brunswick
A big week for skywatchers
Today, August 12, New Brunswickers have an opportunity to see a partial solar eclipse.
In Fredericton, the eclipse begins at approximately 1:52 p.m., reaches maximum coverage around 2:53 p.m. and ends at about 3:51 p.m.
Tonight also brings the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. With the peak occurring around the same time as a New Moon, viewing conditions could be particularly favourable if skies are clear.
Remember to use proper eclipse-rated eye protection when viewing the Sun.
📰 The New Brunswick Week at a Glance
Saint John: Traffic interruptions, watermain work and affordable housing.
Moncton: A busy downtown weekend, transit changes, events and continued growth.
Fredericton: Housing, provincial policy and the push for additional long-term-care capacity.
Miramichi: Community activities, health care, forestry and outdoor recreation.
Northern New Brunswick: Housing, tourism, infrastructure and regional development.
Province-wide: The partial solar eclipse, Perseid meteor shower and continuing attention to housing and health care.
What’s next?
For New Brunswickers, the next few weeks will likely continue to revolve around housing affordability, health-care capacity, infrastructure, economic development and the challenges of keeping services up with population growth.
For local readers, however, August also remains a time to get out and enjoy the many festivals, community events and outdoor activities happening throughout the province.