New Brunswick: Better Or Worse?

New Brunswick is a Canadian province that has seen improvements in various sectors over the years. It is one of the four Atlantic provinces and is known for its vast natural resources, including its forests, which cover about 83% of the province. The province has a strong service-based economy, with tourism and information technology as major contributors. New Brunswick has a low cost of living, a strong sense of community, and a safe environment, with crime rates below the national average. The province has also made strides in education, with a high school graduation rate of over 86% and top-quality universities playing a crucial role in its economic transformation. Healthcare is universally accessible, and the province is officially bilingual, with French and English having equal status. However, New Brunswick faced challenges with a shrinking population, which the government aims to address through initiatives to attract newcomers and boost economic growth.

Has New Brunswick's economy improved?

New Brunswick's economy has been described as "stable, but almost stagnant" by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. The province's economic growth in 2024 is predicted to be weaker than its Maritime neighbours, which would make it the fourth year in a row that New Brunswick has finished last among the three Maritime provinces in terms of economic growth.

However, the New Brunswick government has been promoting a "much healthier economy" in the province in recent years. Finance Minister Ernie Steeves has highlighted the province's improved economy since 2018, with lower debt levels, record population growth, and more jobs.

New Brunswick's economy is heavily influenced by the Irving Group of Companies, which has significant holdings in various industries, including agriculture, forestry, food processing, freight transport, media, oil, and shipbuilding. The Irving Group's activities are supported by the provincial government through tax exemptions and subsidies.

The province offers a low cost of doing business, a skilled and motivated workforce, world-class communications infrastructure, and a competitive corporate tax structure. New Brunswick also has a high average job tenure and provides financial assistance through various incentives.

In terms of industries, services (including government services and public administration) contribute the most to the provincial GDP, followed by construction, manufacturing, and utilities. Tourism also plays a significant role, accounting for about 9% of the labour force directly or indirectly.

While New Brunswick's economy has faced challenges and has been outperformed by its Maritime neighbours in recent years, the province continues to promote economic development and attract investment through its favourable business environment and skilled workforce.

How has the standard of living in New Brunswick changed?

The standard of living in New Brunswick has changed over the years, with the province experiencing both improvements and setbacks. Here is an overview of the changes in the standard of living in New Brunswick:

Economic Changes:

New Brunswick has historically been one of the poorest regions in Canada, with a standard of living much lower than the national average. The province's economy was traditionally based on natural resources such as forestry, agriculture, and fishing. However, these industries faced declines due to various economic factors. The provincial government has made efforts to diversify the economy and create jobs, with a focus on modern service industries, including finance, insurance, and information technology. The manufacturing sector, particularly in Saint John, has also been a major employer and has seen growth in recent years.

Demographic Changes:

New Brunswick has a unique demographic composition, with an English-speaking majority and a significant French-speaking minority, consisting of about one-third of the population. The province has experienced rural-urban shifts, with a decline in rural population and an increase in urban areas, particularly in the cities of Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton. While the population of New Brunswick remained relatively steady for about two decades, recent years have seen a slight increase, with the province attracting immigrants from various parts of the world.

Income and Cost of Living:

New Brunswick has one of the lowest average incomes for families in Canada, with an average income of $65,910. However, the province also boasts a low cost of living, with housing costs and the cost of living, in general, being among the lowest in the country. The mandatory minimum wage in the province is $10.30 per hour, and provincial personal income taxes are slightly above the Canadian average.

Education:

New Brunswick has a strong education system, with a 100% internet connectivity in public schools and the highest high school graduation rate in Canada at over 86%. The province has parallel public school systems in both English and French. Post-secondary education is provided by four publicly funded universities, a community college system, specialized institutes, and private colleges.

Healthcare:

New Brunswick, like all other provinces in Canada, provides universal and publicly funded healthcare to its residents. The province has two health care regions: Vitalité Health Network and Horizon Health Network. However, finding a family doctor has become challenging in recent years, with a long waitlist for patients seeking a primary care provider.

Housing:

Suitable and affordable housing is readily available in New Brunswick. The average price of a house in Saint John, the province's largest city, is approximately $160,000. The average percentage of household income spent on housing costs is relatively low, ranging from 21-32%, depending on the type of home.

What is the state of New Brunswick's healthcare system?

The State of New Brunswick's Healthcare System

New Brunswick has a publicly funded healthcare system, with the provincial government providing health-care coverage for most medically required services. The province is divided into two health care regions: Vitalité Health Network and Horizon Health Network.

History

New Brunswick was the first province in Canada to establish a department of health. However, due to economic difficulties, its services lagged behind most other provinces until the late 1960s.

Current State

New Brunswick's healthcare system is facing a "slippery slope towards privatisation", according to a report by the NB Health Coalition. This trend has consequences for patients, health care workers, seniors, women, French speakers and rural communities. The report also states that the current provincial government is moving towards a treatment-focused, profit-oriented approach to health services.

Recommendations

The NB Health Coalition report makes several recommendations to the government, including investing in a primary health care system based on prevention and expanding services in primary health clinics. It also suggests adequate health transfers to the provinces, as the current health transfer deal with the federal government is deemed inadequate by critics.

Work Conditions

Reviews on Glassdoor suggest that Saint Peter's Healthcare System in New Brunswick offers a friendly work environment with great coworkers. However, employees report low pay, a lack of opportunities for growth, and unfavourable bonuses and raises.

How has New Brunswick's population changed over time?

New Brunswick's population has been steadily growing since the 1850s. The province's population was 747,101 in 2016, 761,214 in 2018, and 775,610 in 2021. In March 2022, the population surpassed 800,000, and by October 2022, it had reached 820,786. This is a record increase, with the population growing by almost 25,000 people in one year. This growth is largely due to international migration, with 3,300 immigrants and 4,200 non-permanent residents moving to the province between July and October 2022. There has also been an influx of people moving to New Brunswick from other provinces, particularly Ontario.

New Brunswick is one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces and one of three Maritime provinces. It is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to the west. It has a surface area of 72,908 square kilometres (28,150 square miles) and is about 83% forested.

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with French and English having equal status. About two-thirds of the population are English-speaking, and one-third are French-speaking. The population is estimated to be 65% of British descent, 31% French Canadian or Acadian, and the remaining 4% of various other ethnicities, including First Nations, Asian Canadian, Irish, and other European nations.

The population of New Brunswick is concentrated in three major urban areas: Greater Saint John, Greater Moncton, and Greater Fredericton, which together are home to over 300,000 people. The remaining population is spread across the province's 107 municipalities, which cover 8.6% of the province's land mass.

New Brunswick's population growth can be attributed to its prosperous industries, beautiful historic sites, events, festivals, and quality education system. The province has a strong economy based on services, manufacturing, and natural resources such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, mining, and oil and gas extraction. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the economy, accounting for 9% of the labour force.

How has New Brunswick's government changed over time?

New Brunswick's government has undergone several changes over the years, evolving alongside the province's economic and social landscape. Here is a detailed overview of how the government of New Brunswick has transformed over time:

1784 – The Birth of New Brunswick:

In 1784, the British government established the province of New Brunswick, separating it from Nova Scotia. This move was driven by the influx of Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, who sought their own colonial status. The province formed its first elected assembly, with Thomas Carleton serving as the inaugural governor.

1867 – Confederation and Growing Pains:

In 1867, New Brunswick joined Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec) to form the Dominion of Canada. While Confederation brought new opportunities, it also disrupted traditional trade relations. The province experienced economic challenges due to declining shipbuilding and lumbering industries, as well as protectionist policies that hindered trade with New England.

1960s – Official Bilingualism and Equal Opportunity:

In 1969, New Brunswick passed the Official Languages Act, recognising French as an official language alongside English. This move solidified New Brunswick as Canada's only officially bilingual province. Around the same time, Premier Louis Robichaud embarked on the New Brunswick Equal Opportunity program, which aimed to provide equal access to education, healthcare, and other services across the province, regardless of geographic or linguistic divisions.

2000s – Economic Challenges and Local Governance Reform:

From the mid-1900s onwards, New Brunswick faced economic struggles, with high unemployment and a lagging provincial economy. However, the province has seen a significant eastward migration, attracting people from other parts of Canada. In 2023, the province underwent a significant local governance reform, reducing the number of entities from 340 to 89, aiming to modernise and improve representation.

Present Day – Political Landscape and Ongoing Challenges:

New Brunswick's government continues to be shaped by its diverse population and unique characteristics. The province has two dominant political parties, the Liberal Party and the Progressive Conservative Party, with the current government led by Premier Blaine Higgs of the Progressive Conservatives. New Brunswick faces ongoing economic challenges, including a history of budget deficits and the need to provide costly healthcare and education services to its rural population.

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