A large crowd took part in a rally at King’s Square in support of the Irving Oil headquarters project.
The new office building – proposed to be built in uptown Saint John – has been put on hold because of an appeal that has been lodged against it by Jim Bezanson — the city’s former heritage planner.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long was one of the speakers at the rally and gave his full support to Irving Oil ands its HQ project. He says the city is at a turning point.
“At times in Saint John we can be our own worst enemies,” Long told the crowd, “we have to stop that kind of attitude and that kind of behaviour.”
Keith Brideau of Historica also spoke and called this day historic.
“Because it’s a day when Saint John united and it’s a day that we’re gonna make sure that we see that project come to fruition and we’re gonna see shovels in the ground soon,” said Brideau.
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A rally is taking place at King’s Square in support of the Irving Oil HQ project which has had an appeal lodged against it. The rally has been organized by realtors Bob McVicar and Janice Purdy and runs from 11:45-1pm.
Posted by Country 94 on Friday, April 8, 2016
Saint John realtor Bob McVicar was one of the organizers of the rally and he spoke with us.
“I think we’ve sent a strong message and I think everybody left here today feeling encouraged and that was the intention,” says McVicar.
A petition is going around asking chair of the appeal board hear the appeal lodged against the project immediately. pic.twitter.com/N1bKAPKDkZ
— CHSJ News (@chsjnews) April 8, 2016
The company took to Twitter to thank supporters of the project.
It’s been an extraordinary week. All of us at Irving Oil are humbled and gratified by the support we’ve seen from our home community.
— Irving Oil (@irvingoil) April 8, 2016
We hope to be back on track asap, putting people to work & building something beautiful for our city. Thank you for your support.
— Irving Oil (@irvingoil) April 8, 2016
Meantime, the stalled Irving Oil HQ project has come up in the Legislature.
Saint John Lancaster MLA Dorothy Shepherd is wondering why provincial cabinet minister Ed Doherty has been mum.
“In our city of Saint John, a lot of people are adding their voices to the growing chorus supporting the new Irving headquarters. There is one voice, however, that is strangely silent – the MLA for Saint John Harbour and the minister of government services.”
Shepherd says the building will create jobs and much needed tax revenue for the city.
