SAINT JOHN, N.B.- Mayor Mel Norton calls it a historic day for the city of Saint John.

Premier David Alward was at City Hall this afternoon to present the mayor and city unions with a copy of the new act which repeals the City of Saint John Pension Act.

Mayor Norton calls it a new beginning with council set to begin work on a long term solution to the pension situation.”A solution that will enable our pensioners and our employees to count on the ability to cash their cheques”, says Norton. “That’s the objective, that’s what we all want to work together doing”

Premier Alward believes the new pension model the province has proposed might work in the Port City. “We believe that the new model that has been proposed, the new legislation, could be a very good solution for the city of Saint John, other municipalities, organizations like universities, the private sector, along with the public sector.

The repealing of the legislature’s City of Saint John Pension Act will give the city more control over reforms to it’s own pensions.