Perhaps the most pressing issue we hear from our members is the escalating crisis around homelessness, addiction, and public safety. Business owners describe a growing sense of instability—break-ins, vandalism, open drug use, and public disorder are affecting operations and customer confidence. Residents tell us they no longer feel safe walking Uptown. For a city that has worked tirelessly to rebuild pride and momentum, the stakes could not be higher.
This is not just a Saint John issue. As New Brunswick’s economic hub and primary trade gateway, instability here reverberates across the province.
Our Chamber has formally called on both the Province and the City of Saint John to come forward with a coordinated, resourced plan—one that clarifies responsibilities around housing, health, addiction, enforcement, and long-term support. The community cannot afford fragmented responses or unclear leadership.
“If we don’t act proactively, the damage will cost much more to repair. Doing nothing is not an option,” says Glen MacLean of Java Moose, reflecting on decades of progress now at risk.
The Chamber stands ready to work with both levels of government to restore safety, stability, and a sense of possibility to the city’s core.
