Leader of New Brunswick's Progressive Conservative Party Blaine Higgs was in Saint Andrews over the weekend to announce his plans to extend New Brunswick's staycation travel incentive until March 2021 if he is re-elected. The announcement was held at the Algonquin Resort where Higgs also praised the Town of Saint Andrews for being a pioneer of properly managing the busy tourism season during the uncertain times of COVID-19.

After the announcement, Higgs headed to Saint Andrews' Market Square with St. Croix PC Candidate Kathy Bockus to judge a lobster roll competition between local restaurants organized by the St. Andrews Chamber of Commerce. The Chandler Room's lobster roll took first place, followed by the Algonquin in a close second place.

Higgs and Bockus spent the rest of the afternoon in Oak Bay where they were met by a group of protesters on the side of the highway protesting the lack of abortion access and trans health care in the province, concerns they believe needs to be election issue especially with the closure of the 554 Clinic in Fredericton.

Access to health care in rural areas is already a key election issues with Higgs' having cancelled plans to close some rural emergency rooms before the pandemic. When Higgs addressed the crowd in Oak Bay, he insisted locals shouldn't worry about the future Charlotte County Hospital.

The Green Party has a new candidate for the St. Croix riding. Saint Andrews resident Kim Reeder, longtime friend of New Brunswick Green Party leader David Coon, has replaced Andrew Sutton after Sutton recently stepped out of the race. Reeder is known in the area for her advocacy of seniors and environmental issues. Like other candidates, she is currently concerned about re-zoning plans in Bayside to accommodate big business plans for US-based company Little Bay Lobster.

In order to help St. Croix voters get to know all of their provincial candidates better before going to the polls, CHCO is teaming up with the Town of St. Stephen, the St. Stephen Area Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Andrews Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Croix Courier to bring you a televised "Meet the Candidates" night on September 4th, which will also be streamed on CHCO's Facebook page and YouTube channel. If you'd like to submit a question for the candidates to answer, send it to chamber.ststephen@nb.aibn.com by September 2nd.

Veteran moderator Mike Corbett will hosting the event. We look forward to bringing your candidates to your living room on September 4th before early voting starts on September 5th.