Saint John council is divided over a bylaw change that would impose stricter rules on the public for speaking at public hearings.
After a tie vote, procedural changes will come back before council on May 4.
Nipun Tiwari · CBC News
· Posted: Apr 21, 2026 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
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Coun. Gary Sullivan says the proposed changes to the public hearing process would be too abrupt for residents used to long-standing practices. (Nipun Tiwari/CBC)
Saint John council is divided over a bylaw change that would impose stricter rules on the public for speaking at public hearings.
The changes would introduce a formal registration requirement, asking speakers to sign up within a 30-day window ending in the Wednesday before a public hearing.
If that window is missed, the city would hold in-person registration up to five minutes before the council meeting where the relevant public hearing is on the agenda.
The amendments would also remove the fixed 6:30 p.m. start time for public hearings, which are held to allow residents, businesses, and organizations to speak for or against zoning or municipal plans.
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