“Buy Canadian Instead” sign stands among liquor displays in a Vancouver store, part of a federal push to steer public spending toward domestic suppliers. (Credit: Canadian Press) Prime Minister Mark Carney’s 2025 budget announcement in Fredericton last week introduced a major shift in federal spending, with new measures aimed at making Canada its own best customer. The budget includes $186 million to implement a Buy Canadian policy across federal departments and $79.9 million

A single tree becomes a season’s announcement. (Photo credit: Huzaifa Hameed) Fredericton doesn’t just enter fall — it leans into it. By early October, the air thins, the light softens, and the city begins its slow transformation into a landscape of red, gold, and quiet fire. For students, longtime residents, and anyone who walks the streets with their eyes open, autumn becomes more than a season. It becomes a conversation.

The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with St. Thomas University, delivered Fredericton's Health Care Summit II at the Kinsella Auditorium last Nov. 13. (Credit: STU Communications) On Nov. 13, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with St. Thomas University, the City of Fredericton and the New Brunswick Medical Education Foundation,   hosted the second annual healthcare summit at the Kinsella Auditorium. The summit was composed of three panels whe

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes during a game against Philadelphia last January. (Credit: Noah K. Murray/AP Photo) National Hockey League (NHL) players are facing a secondary opponent this season.  This secondary opponent is much different from the ones they face on the ice, game in and game out.   For some NHL players, kitchen appliances and everyday household products are wreaking havoc. Last week, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes cut himself while attending a te

St. Thomas University’s Black Box Theatre, located in James Dunne Hall, is where hopes and dreams are performed live. (Jennifer Williams/AQ) St. Thomas University’s Black Box Theatre is set to open Almost, Maine,  a whimsical, nine-scene play known for blending everyday life with small bursts of magic on Nov. 26. The production features 19 student actors, each leading their own self-contained scene.  For Mallory Thompson, a second-year student who will play the character of G

New Brunswick's Team Rene Comeau with the championship trophy. (Submitted: Rene Comeau) On Nov. 8, a Fredericton team that represented New Brunswick won the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Assinobioa, Sask.  Based out of the Capital Winter Club, Team Rene Comeau beat Ontario’s Team Sam Mooibreak 6-5, winning gold for the first time since 2007. “It's surreal. It's something that you dream about and you never really know if you're going to reach that goal,” said tea

Political labels such as “socialist” and “fascist” are seen as divisive among students, but they also fuel political debate on campus. (Credit: Jennifer William/AQ) Buzzwords like “socialist,” “fascist,” and “woke” dominate political discourse, but experts say young voters are often misled by labels that don’t reflect policy.  At St. Thomas University, students and faculty stress that extreme political rhetoric frequently obscures the real issues. “‘Socialist’ is basically a

The opening night and reception of Gallery 78’s newest exhibition with a full crowd of supporters (Malachi Lefurgey/AQ). With Christmas just around the corner and the holiday spirit defrosting, Fredericton locals are looking to start the season with a warm cup of apple cider and a glimpse into Gallery 78.  On Nov. 21, Gallery 78’s newest exhibit showcased two artists with a Christmas surprise from several Atlantic artists.   The first floor was dedicated to the new exhibition

STU runner Kensea Aaron participated in a cross country meet on Sept. 27. (Credit: STU Athletics) Both the St. Thomas University (STU) men’s and women’s cross country teams had their best Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) season in nearly a decade.   The men’s team finished in third overall, while the women’s team came in fifth. This is the first time the women’s Tommies have placed as a team in years, after several seasons affected by injuries.    “Everybody pu

Tony’s Music Box is a family-owned business that opened in 1975. (Malachi Lefurgey/AQ) After two generations of supplying musical instruments, tools and repairs to the city of Fredericton, Tony’s Music Box is putting away cords, picks and closing their guitar cases.    Matt Blanchard, a shop technician who has worked at Tony’s for nine years, was sad to see it go.   “None of us wants to close,” said Blanchard.  The store had faced financial difficulties, which worsened when t

Day of the Dead altar in James Dunn Hall, honouring those students who have lost loved ones. (Jennifer Willimas/AQ) In the early morning quiet of the James Dunn Hall building, flickering candlelight danced against framed photos of loved ones, some human, some furry — each glowing with memories.  For many at St. Thomas University, this open community altar became more than a cultural display. It was a shared space of remembrance, love and connection.    From Oct. 29 to Nov. 2,

The Rocky Horror Show makes another appearance at The Playhouse. (Brianna Lyttle/AQ) When Tony and Courtney LePage sat down to plan the 2025 Rogue Productions performance season, they knew they had a lot to live up to after two successful runs of Rock of Ages .     The Rocky Horror Show , made famous from the 1975 movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show , is a campy, self-aware, rollicking homage to B-horror and sci-fi movies.     The story follows seemingly ordinary couple Brad

Attendees play a round of Mario Kart during the Bridges of Hope fundraiser, which featured video games, crafts, and food to raise money for children and orphans worldwide. (Brianna Lyttle/AQ) Competitive students were in for a treat on Nov. 1 when Islamic Relief Canada’s (IRC) Bridges of Hope event came to St. Thomas University. With a variety of games ranging from Mario Kart to playing cards, shawarma donated by Osmow’s Fredericton, soda drinks, and baked goods, the IRC team

Sochane Campbell, vice president of student life, helped organize the Jamaican Cookout fundraiser (Jennifer Williams/AQ) When Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean on Oct. 28, international students at St. Thomas University faced not only concern for their loved ones but also the challenges of coping far from home.  The community quickly mobilized to provide emotional and practical support. Bernie Delgado, a third-year student and campus ministry assistant, organized prayer sp

The Silver Wave Film Festival started at the gallery on Queen before moving to Tilley Hall. (Photo Credits: Josh Eidt) On Friday, Nov. 7, the second night of Fredericton’s Silver Wave Film Festival took place at the Gallery on Queen, where local filmmakers showcased their films to the public.   Though the night began at the Gallery, they moved to Tilley Hall at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). People of all ages and backgrounds attended, from students to seniors.  Some

Lori Neily and Crème Brûlée, therapy Labradors, pose with their trainers, Zahra and Steve Neily, during their visit to St. Thomas University. (Credit: Sabrina Zabatiero) On Oct. 20, Lori Neily and Crème Brûlée, along with their tutors, Zahra and Steve Neily, came to spread some Labrador sparkles to the ordinary and stressful routines of students at St. Thomas University.  The visit lasted one hour, during which students gathered to watch a small fraction of the many tricks th

A quiet exchange from election night in New York City, captured shortly after the results were declared. ( Credit: ABC News / Good Morning America) On election night, speaking to supporters at a rally in Queens — in a speech later published by Newsweek — Zohran Mamdani didn’t pound the lectern; he told a story.  "In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it is done. My friends, we have done it,” said Mamdani. “So hear me, President Trump … to get to any

Global leaders support ceasefire negotiations for the war in Gaza. (Credit: Arab News) As new ceasefire negotiations move forward, Hamas says its fighters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah will not lay down their weapons, signalling the group’s intent to maintain bargaining power, even as humanitarian conditions worsen and international pressure for a truce grows. “The enemy must know that the concept of surrender and handing oneself over does not exist in the dictionary of

Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero flips his bat after hitting a home-run in game 4 of the World Series. (Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Toronto Blue Jays were the underdogs throughout the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs.  Many looked down on Canada’s team, thinking they were not meant to play in the postseason. They were seen as an easy out for their opponents during both the American League Divisional and Championship Series.   This all changed when the squad made it

Western leaders call for an immediate halt to the war in Ukraine, even if this might benefit Russia. (Credit: Financial Times) Western leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, have endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for an immediate halt to fighting in Ukraine, signalling a renewed push toward negotiations with Russia. The joint statement, released Oct. 25 from Ottawa, said that the “current line of contact”