Saint John and surrounding communities are close to approving an agreement to combine initiatives surrounding economic development, tourism and population growth in the region into a single agency.

Saint John has cancelled its 2020 Canada Day celebrations as a precautionary measure to prevent large gatherings during the COVID-19 outbreak.

"It's up to them to (make) their decision, we're not telling them necessarily who to cut."

The city's deputy mayor says much more difficult 2021 budget discussions have yet to begin.

The city's largest arena posts yearly deficits in the hundred of thousands of dollars.

On Thursday night, councillors gathered for a special session of common council to debate the report from the joint working group on financial sustainability, before deciding whether to accept or reject it.

The plan, which has already been approved by the provincial government, was made public on Wednesday.

The goal is to offset some of the cost of operating rinks in Saint John.

Shirley McAlary says she was speaking somewhat in jest when she suggested, during a growth committee meeting this week, that there be a four-month ban on negative news.

The 33-year-old Canada Games Aquatic Centre in Saint John, N.B. may be on its last legs.