Eastern Charlotte Civic Info Hub

23/05/2026

22/05/2026

Chandra Best, Ward 1 Municipal District of St. Stephen

New Report on New Brunswick’s Property Assessment System

The Province has released an independent review of New Brunswick’s property assessment system, along with a public summary/FAQ page.

The main takeaway is that the report says New Brunswick’s assessment methodology is generally in line with international best practices.

But the report also highlights something important: many concerns residents have are not only about assessment. They are also about the broader property tax system, including tax rates, provincial policy, municipal budgets, relief programs, and how clearly all of this is explained.

Assessment is about the value assigned to a property.
Taxation is about how that value is used to calculate the final tax bill.

What the report addresses: clearer communication, better separation between assessment and taxation, and improvements to assessment operations.

What it does not appear to fully address: the practical question many residents still have - what specific measures will be used to correct assessment variances between similar properties?

Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy said:

“We have heard from New Brunswickers clearly: the system needs to be more predictable, stable and transparent. Soon, we’ll introduce legislation to make that happen.”

Depending on what that legislation includes, these changes could also affect municipal budgeting in 2027 and, in turn, what residents see in future tax bills.

This is worth watching closely.

Link to News Release:
https://www.gnb.ca/en/news/n-b.2026.05.report-and-recommendations-released-following-property-assessment-review.html

Link to FAQs:
https://www2.snb.ca/content/snb/en/sites/property-assessment/review-faq.html

Link to full 264 page
https://www2.snb.ca/content/dam/snb/assessment/evaluation-property-tax-assessment-methodology-nb.pdf

Review of Property Assessment in NB - FAQ

21/05/2026

These occurrence statistics come from the new RCMP J Division public occurrence map, available to anyone. Residents can visit the RCMP website and pull these figures on demand.

That raises a straightforward question: if this data is now publicly accessible to any member of the public at any time, can we now get J Division to deliver a more detailed monthly summary to the CAO and council before regular meetings?

A once-a-month report from J Division, using data the RCMP already collects and publicly posts, is a reasonable baseline expectation for a community spending hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on policing services.

The RCMP's decision to make occurrence data publicly accessible online may signal a broader shift toward transparency. Perhaps that shift is the opening needed for a renewed effort to establish the kind of regular reporting taxpayers already receive from fire protection, public works, and parks and recreation.

📊𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗖𝗠𝗣 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗦 | Eastern Charlotte

The NB RCMP J Division occurrence map has been updated with year-to-date figures for the Municipality of Eastern Charlotte.

As of May 20, 2026, 625 occurrences have been reported in our area so far this year, compared to 666 for the same period in 2025 -- a decrease of 41.

Here's how the named categories break down:

🔹 Mental Health Act: 47
🔹 Assault: 20
🔹 Break and enter: 9
🔹 Fraud: 8
🔹 Theft of motor vehicle: 6
🔹 Theft of over $5,000: 4
🔹 Drug offence: 2
🔹 Robbery and extortion: 0

The remaining 529 occurrences fall under "All other occurrences," a broad category that includes things like abandoned 911 calls, false alarms, traffic incidents, domestic calls, and assistance to the public.

21/05/2026

Joyce Wright - St. Stephen Councillor
NEWS RELEASE IS IN THE COMMENTS

*** Property Tax Assessment Report - update from the Province! ***

❓Did you know the Province of NB commissioned an independent report to review how the province does property tax assessments?

📋 The report is now complete, and has 39 recommendations for the province to consider. And, the report will be used to guide the upcoming changes the province is making to the property tax assessment system.

🏠What the province does with property tax assessments will directly impact the municipal budget for 2027, so I wanted to share this with all of you so you can understand what is being done.

➡️ Here is the link for the news release from the province, and the link to the full report is at the bottom of the release.

Happy reading!

Implementing recommendations aims to provide clarity to the public

21/05/2026

Chandra Best, Ward 1 Municipal District of St. Stephen

🟦 Regional Service Commissions (RSCs) – Learn More About What They Do

One of my priorities is to help residents better understand how local government works - including some of the organizations and decisions that affect our community but often receive less public attention.

The Southwest NB Service Commission has released an overview video that was originally created to help newly elected council members understand the RSC’s role and responsibilities.

But it’s also a useful watch for residents, and I highly recommend it.

If you’ve ever wondered:
• What services the RSC actually delivers
• How it’s funded
• Why municipalities participate
• Or how regional decisions connect back to our community

…this is a good place to start.

🎥 Video below.

An overview of the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission services and governance structure, meant as a guide for newly elected and re-elected councillor...

21/05/2026

𝗦𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡!
𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻-𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

● "I'll entertain a motion": A request for an official proposal so discussion or voting can begin.

● "I move that...": The formal introduction of a proposal for council consideration.

● "Do we have a second?": A request to see if another member agrees the proposal warrants discussion.

● "The motion is on the floor": The proposal is officially open for debate.

● "Call the question": A motion to end debate and vote immediately.

Voting

● "All in favour / Opposed?": The calls for "yes" votes and "no" votes.

● "The motion carries / is defeated": The proposal passed / the proposal failed.

● "Carried unanimously": Every present member voted in favour.

Pausing or Stopping

● "I move to table the motion": Setting the matter aside temporarily.

● "I move to postpone": Delaying the matter to a specific future meeting.

● "I move to adjourn": Proposing to officially end the current meeting.

Raising Concerns

● "Point of order": Notifying the chair that a meeting rule is actively being broken.

● "Point of information": A request by a member for clarification or data before voting.

● "Point of personal privilege": Raising an immediate physical or environmental issue (e.g., audio issues).

Key Terms

● Quorum: The minimum attendance required for legal decisions. In Eastern Charlotte, this is 5 of the 9 total seats (comprising the Mayor, 2 Councillors-at-Large, and 6 Ward Councillors).

● In Camera: A legally permitted closed-door session confidential to the public.

● Refer to Committee: Sending an item to a specialized subgroup for detailed review.

𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚: 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙩'𝙨 𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝟣𝟤 𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖. 😉

20/05/2026

𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗘 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗦

Below is a complete list of active municipal bylaws for Eastern Charlotte, with direct links to each one on the municipal website.

Section 10 of the Local Governance Act (SNB 2017, c 18) provides for a municipality to enact bylaws, and Section 12 adds, “Except as otherwise provided, a by-law under this Act may be general or specific in its application and may differentiate in any way and on any basis a local government considers appropriate.”

Bylaws of the Town of St. George and the Village of Blacks Harbour remain active within their respective boundaries until they are replaced by a new bylaw under Eastern Charlotte.

Website:
https://easterncharlotte.ca/by-laws-and-policies/

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟭 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-01.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/By-Law-EC-01-25-Proceedings-of-Council-Amendment.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-02.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟯 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-03.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/EC/BY-law-EC-03-26.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟰 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗹
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-04.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟱 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-05.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟲 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-06.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 & 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁. 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-07.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-08.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟬𝟵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-09.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟭𝟬 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-10.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟭𝟭 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝘆𝗹𝗮𝘄
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-11.pdf

○ 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗿 / 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/forms/Peddler-Transient-Application-2024.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟭𝟯 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗕𝘆𝗹𝗮𝘄
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-13.pdf

● 𝗕𝗬𝗟𝗔𝗪 #𝗘𝗖𝟭𝟱 𝗔 𝗕𝘆-𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗦𝗡𝗕𝗦𝗖) 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
https://easterncharlotte.ca/wp-content/uploads/gov/bylaws/Bylaw_EC-15.pdf

Amendments to existing rural area bylaws (2023+) and bylaws currently in progress are available on the Municipality of Eastern Charlotte website.

Municipal policies, which serve as internal documents directing employees, can also be found on the website. https://easterncharlotte.ca/by-laws-and-policies/

20/05/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬 for the incoming Mayor and Councillors of Eastern Charlotte followed by the next REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL is on Monday May 25th, at 6:30 pm, at the
Magaguadavic Place Community Center.

The full agenda for the meeeting is ATTACHED.

20/05/2026

These social media updates are a nice-to-have for residents, but there is an important difference between how RCMP policing accountability works in the Codiac region versus Eastern Charlotte.

Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview operate under the Codiac Regional Policing Authority, which requires regular public reporting and detailed communication from the RCMP. Eastern Charlotte falls under New Brunswick’s broader provincial RCMP policing framework, which does not have the same local oversight structure.

That said, the issue is not a lack of data.

The RCMP already collects occurrence statistics, call data, traffic enforcement activity, wellness checks, and other operational information electronically through its internal reporting systems, likely including the RCMP’s Police Reporting and Occurrence System (PROS) used across J Division.

Nobody is asking for weekly social media campaigns or the level of public reporting seen in larger urban centres.

What many residents are asking for is much simpler: a basic monthly written report sent electronically to the CAO and council before regular council meetings.

Council already receives monthly updates from the fire department, public works, and parks and recreation departments. With policing costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and continuing to rise, a once-a-month RCMP statistical summary should not be unreasonable.

This does not require RCMP officers to attend every council meeting. It is largely an administrative communication task using information the RCMP already tracks internally.

Back in June 2023, CBC reported Councillor Darrell Tidd publicly expressing frustration over the lack of communication, stating: "We can't even get the RCMP to come to a council meeting anymore to give a monthly report."

Nearly three years later, residents are still asking for basic monthly reporting and communication.

The discussion here is not about criticizing frontline officers responding to calls across a large rural region. It is about improving communication, transparency, and basic reporting between the policing service and the taxpayers funding it.

With the new council being sworn in on May 25, is this the time to revisit having some of the policing data Eastern Charlotte residents already pay for made publicly available?

Last week was a busy one for the Codiac Regional RCMP, with 803 calls for service across Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview. These calls included, but were not limited to:

• Property crimes (including theft and B&E) 97
• Crimes against persons 42
• Traffic collisions 26
• Traffic offences & violations 182
• Impaired drivers 3

Of those calls, 296 were non criminal in nature, including well being and wellness checks, assistance to partner agencies, missing persons files, mental health crisis interventions, noise complaints, and unwanted persons. These calls highlight the many ways our officers support the community every day.

When there’s an immediate threat, a crime in progress, or an urgent emergency, call 911. During National Police Week, we thank the police officers who stand ready to protect our communities.

19/05/2026

Today in Woodstock.

Happening today 👇

Join us this afternoon to learn about Voyent Alert and how it can help you stay informed on municipal and regional matters. From garbage collection reminders and boil order notices to road closures, and Community Events - Voyent Alert is designed specifically for residents!

🚨Sam's Room, AYR Motor Centre, 104 Connell Park Road, Woodstock
🚨 2 pm
🚨Free entry

It's not too late to join us today! Everyone is welcome to attend and receive one-on-one support for registering (just bring your smartphone or device).

❓Questions? Reach out to us - [email protected]

Happening today 👇

Join us this afternoon to learn about Voyent Alert and how it can help you stay informed on municipal and regional matters. From garbage collection reminders and boil order notices to road closures, and Community Events - Voyent Alert is designed specifically for residents!

🚨Sam's Room, AYR Motor Centre, 104 Connell Park Road, Woodstock
🚨 2 pm
🚨Free entry

It's not too late to join us today! Everyone is welcome to attend and receive one-on-one support for registering (just bring your smartphone or device).

❓Questions? Reach out to us - [email protected]

18/05/2026

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯.

To the public works crews in Eastern Charlotte: Thank you! The work you do keeps our communities running, and it does not go unnoticed.


#𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸