Deputy Fire Chief concerned over Mayor’s handling as five firefighters resign over issue
The municipal office for Lakeland Ridges is moving to the Canterbury Community Centre due to asbestos found in the former council office at the Meductic Community Centre. The decision isn’t sitting well with other organizations still operating within the building.
A motion was passed at the June 29 council meeting by a vote of six to two, with Rhonda Alward and Elizabeth Luimes voting against.
Mayor Greg Grant says the decision to move was the safest outcome.
“Due to the ongoing safety issues of asbestos being prevalent after our most recent testing as mayor I had to ensure the safety of the council, I had to ensure the safety of our two employees, and I had to ensure safety. For any and all people that come to council with any requests or issues that they have in Lakeland Ridges,” said Grant.
After the initial move to Meductic from Canterbury, a petition was presented to council arguing the new location was not central.
Alward and Luimes voted against the move because the asbestos levels at the Meductic Community Centre were deemed safe as of the latest inspection on May 19, 2026.
Levels considered safe
Levels below 1,000 parts per million (ppm) are considered safe; the air quality in the basement kitchen is 896.7 ppm and in the bathroom is 900.6 ppm.
Council voted for the move despite test results showing safe, acceptable levels.
Grant said the council office would not be moving back to Meductic until financial decisions are made.
He would not comment on why the office was moved despite safe levels, nor did he respond to the River Valley Sun’s questions on why the council office was moved, but the regional EMO office, the Meductic fire department, and recreation were allowed to continue operating within the building.
The River Valley Sun reached out to WorkSafeNB to inquire about the risk to others posed by services remaining in the building. A spokesperson said they could not comment because there is a case before the courts related to the previous renovation.
As to whether the municipal office would move back to Meductic at a later date, Mayor Grant said, in a social media post, that the relocation to Canterbury will remain in effect while Lakeland Ridges completes its professional Asset Management and Capital Management planning processes.
Fire Department members upset
On July 10, Meductic Deputy Fire Chief Chris Yerxa shared a social media post, stating he spoke to Lakeland Ridges Mayor Greg Grant on July 7 regarding the department’s concerns about asbestos in the Meductic Community Centre.
“I spoke with Mayor Greg Grant on behalf of the members of the Meductic Volunteer Fire Department requesting a meeting with him to seek clarification on the decision to move the municipal office back to Canterbury, citing safety concerns due to asbestos,” said Yerxa in a Facebook post.
Yerxa said the fire department was not informed about the concerns regarding the building.
In the call with the mayor, Yerxa said he told him his only priority was his councillors and those who come into the building for meetings.
“I asked him why we weren’t notified, and he said I don’t want to talk to you about anything,” he told the River Valley Sun. “He [Grant] said, ‘All I’m concerned about is my councillors and my two staff members and the safety of people when they come into the building that come to the meetings.’ He said you do whatever you want in the building,” said Yerxa.
The Justice and Public Safety Department confirmed that the NBEMO relocated out of Meductic in July 2025 following an order from WorkSafeNB. In Sept. 2025, they moved back after the order was removed.
Yerxa said the department contacted WorkSafeNB to verify whether the building was safe, and WorkSafeNB responded that they had no recommendation that the building was unsafe. Five crew members have stepped down due to the concerns. That leaves the fire department with a contingent of 12 firefighters to keep the community safe.
Yerxa says he wants to see more transparency and honesty from the mayor moving forward.
“He is totally the opposite person that campaigned,” said Yerxa.
“Don’t leave the fire department in the dark. If it’s such a concern, why weren’t we notified? WorkSafeNB has deemed the building safe and so has public health. But somewhere along the line, they’re saying its not safe,” he said.
Yerxa said the fire department is on the agenda for Monday night’s council meeting. He says his department will have questions ready to ask the council.
– with files from Theresa Blackburn
