Service New Brunswick branch in Saint-Quentin to stay closed

A Service New Brunswickbranch in Saint-Quentin will remain closed after aCourt of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick judge in Campbelltonrefused to allow a temporary injunction by the town to havethe office remain open.

Judge Lucie Lavigne ruled on the matter Wednesday afternoon and said the town did not prove the situation met the necessary criteria to declare a temporary injunction.

Lavigne said a temporary injunction is an extraordinary act and that the court does not get involved in government affairs, except in cases of abuse, acts of bad faith, illegal acts or government not upholding its obligations.

The lawyer for the town, Basile Chiasson, argued the province had a constitutional responsibility for francophone communities and that closing the Service New Brunswicklocation would harm the community's economy.

The location has been closed since July 31.

In March, the Gallant government announced in its budget that it was closing six Service New Brunswick locations.

With the closure, residents of Saint-Quentin haveto drive 18 kilometres to Kedgwick to pay their property taxes, renew their car registrations and obtain other government services.