New Brunswick: Canada's "Have Not" Province?

New Brunswick is one of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories, and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is the only constitutionally bilingual province in the country, with a large Francophone minority (32%) of Acadian origin. The province's name comes from the English and French translation for the city of Braunschweig in Lower Saxony, Germany, the ancestral home of King George III of the United Kingdom.

New Brunswick has a history of economic hardship. From the mid-1900s onwards, it was one of the poorest regions of Canada, and in 2015, it had the most poorly-performing economy of any Canadian province, with a per capita income of $28,000. However, in recent years, the province has seen the highest eastward migration in 45 years, and in 2023, it experienced its highest population growth in a single year since its Confederation in 1867.

New Brunswick's economy

New Brunswick is one of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories, and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It has a population of around 775,610 (as of 2021) and a surface area of 72,908 square kilometres. It is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with French and English having equal status.

Agriculture is a key sector, with more than 13,000 people working in the industry and products worth over $1 billion. The province is known for its potatoes, with half of its crop revenue coming from potatoes grown mostly in the Saint John River valley. Other important agricultural products include apples, cranberries, and maple syrup. New Brunswick was also the biggest producer of wild blueberries in Canada in 2015. The livestock sector is also significant, with a value of about a quarter of a billion dollars, nearly half of which comes from dairy.

Forestry has historically been important to the province, accounting for over 80% of exports in the mid-1800s. While the industry declined towards the end of that century due to external economic factors, it remains a significant contributor to the economy, employing nearly 12,000 people and generating around $437 million in revenue.

Fishing and aquaculture are also important sectors, with seafood products being the province's second-largest export after refined petroleum. In 2016, exports of seafood products, including lobster, salmon, crab, and herring, were valued at over $1.6 billion, with about half of that coming from lobster.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards a more diversified economy, with the emergence of new industries such as manufacturing, construction, and tourism. Tourism now accounts for 9% of the labour force, with popular destinations including the Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park, and Magnetic Hill.

The province also has a significant mining industry, producing lead, zinc, copper, and potash. Additionally, there has been a growth in the number of people employed in the healthcare and social assistance sectors.

A powerful corporate concentration in the province is the Irving Group of Companies, which has significant holdings in various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, food processing, freight transport, media, oil, and shipbuilding. The influence of the Irving family on the province's economy and politics has been a subject of debate and criticism.

The province's demographics

New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and its only officially bilingual province, with French and English sharing equal status. The province's population in 2006 was estimated at 729,997, with the majority being English-speaking, and a substantial French-speaking minority of mostly Acadian origin. The First Nations people of New Brunswick include the Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet). The Acadians, descendants of French settlers and Indigenous peoples of Acadia, were expelled by the British in 1755 for refusing to pledge allegiance to King George II. Many Acadians were deported to North America, the UK, and France, and some eventually returned to the Maritime provinces, mainly to New Brunswick.

The English-Canadian population of New Brunswick largely descends from Loyalists who fled the American Revolution, which is reflected in the province's motto, "Spem reduxit" ("hope was restored"). There is also a significant Irish population, especially in Saint John and the Miramichi Valley, as well as people of Scottish descent throughout the province, with higher concentrations in the Miramichi and Campbellton. A small population of Danish origin can be found in New Denmark in the province's northwest.

In the 2001 census, the most commonly reported ethnicities were British (40%), French Canadian and Acadian (31%), Irish (18%), other European (7%), First Nations (3%), and Asian Canadian (2%). The 2021 Canadian Census showed that the most spoken languages in the province were English (91.94%), French (41.86%), Spanish (1%), Arabic (0.8%), Tagalog (0.56%), and Hindi (0.49%).

The 2021 census also provided insights into the religious groups in New Brunswick. Christianity was the most prevalent at 67.5%, followed by Irreligion (29.7%), Islam (1.2%), Hinduism (0.4%), Sikhism (0.2%), Buddhism (0.1%), Indigenous Spirituality (0.1%), Judaism (0.1%), and other religions (0.5%).

New Brunswick has a relatively even split between its French and English populations compared to other provinces. This bilingual status is enshrined in both provincial and federal law, with the Canadian Constitution specifically mentioning New Brunswick's bilingualism and defining its implementation based on community and individual rights. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes several New Brunswick-specific articles that ensure the province's bilingual status.

Language policy remains a recurring issue in New Brunswick politics, with debates arising over the interpretation of the provincial bilingualism policy, duality of language services, and specifics of implementation. The French-speaking community advocates for full funding of French-language services and fair representation in public sector employment, while some Anglophones express concerns about the financial efficiency of the duality system and its impact on their employment opportunities.

History of New Brunswick

New Brunswick was first inhabited by First Nations like the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet. In 1604, Acadia, the first New France colony, was founded with the creation of Port-Royal. For 150 years afterwards, Acadia changed hands multiple times due to numerous conflicts between France and the United Kingdom. From 1755 to 1764, the British deported Acadians en masse, an event known as the Great Upheaval. This, along with the Treaty of Paris, solidified Acadia as British property. In 1784, following the arrival of many loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, the colony of New Brunswick was officially created, separating it from what is now Nova Scotia. In the early 1800s, New Brunswick prospered and the population grew rapidly. In 1867, New Brunswick decided to join with Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (now Quebec and Ontario) to form Canada.

The province's geography and climate

Geography and Climate of New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada's Maritime provinces, with a significant seacoast and a large interior. 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. The province covers 72,908 square kilometres (or 73,440 square kilometres according to another source) and is roughly rectangular in shape.

The province lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range, with northern uplands rising to 820 metres and a mountainous appearance. The interior of the province consists mostly of rolling hills and plateaus covered by forests. The eastern region is fairly flat, while the southern terrain is rugged. The magnificent St. John River, often called the Rhine of North America, splits the province from north to south. Other notable rivers include the Miramichi, Restigouche, Petitcodiac, Nepisiguit, Salmon, St. Croix, and Tobique.

The province's rock foundation was largely formed in the Palaeozoic era, with ocean deposits from the Ordovician period creating much of the rock in the north and west. These rocks contain zinc, lead, and copper deposits. The central and eastern parts of the province originated in the later Carboniferous period, with red, green, and grey sandstones, conglomerates, and isolated deposits of limestone, gypsum, salt, and oil-bearing shale.

The soils in New Brunswick tend to be thin and acidic in the uplands, deeper and poorly drained in the centre and west, and rocky in the south. The best soils for agriculture lie along the rivers, especially the upper Saint John River, which has well-drained sandy loam with good lime content—ideal for growing potatoes.

The climate in New Brunswick is continental, with snowy winters and temperate summers. Winters are harshest in the northwest, where a large proportion of precipitation falls as snow, and temperatures are colder than in the central interior. Summers are warm, with average highs of 25°C in Fredericton. The coastal communities experience milder winters and slightly cooler summers. The annual precipitation rate is about 1,078 mm, fairly evenly distributed throughout the province, with the highest rates in the southeast.

Tourism in New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a Canadian province known for its natural wonders, attractions, and outdoor adventures. It is one of the four Atlantic provinces and one of the three Maritime provinces. The province offers a unique Maritime experience with its spectacular natural wonders, vibrant culture, and friendly people.

Natural Wonders and Attractions

New Brunswick boasts spectacular natural wonders, including the famous Bay of Fundy tides, the sandy beaches and warm waters of the Acadian coast, and pristine rivers. The province is home to popular destinations such as the Hopewell Rocks, Fundy National Park, Magnetic Hill, Kouchibouguac National Park, and Roosevelt Campobello International Park. The Bay of Fundy, with its towering tides, and the Acadian coast, with its sandy beaches and warm waters, are must-see destinations.

Outdoor Adventures

The province offers a range of outdoor adventures such as cross-country skiing, snowboarding, winter biking, fat biking, and ziplining. There are also plenty of hiking trails, such as the Top 12 Coastal Hikes in New Brunswick, that showcase the province's natural beauty.

Culture and Food

New Brunswick has a vibrant culture, with a mix of English and French influences. The province is known for its delicious seafood, with fresh seafood available right next to the ocean. The province also offers a variety of culinary experiences, including apple orchards, u-pick farms, wineries, and cideries. The #ExploreNB Street Team can help visitors connect with the local food scene and experience the best of New Brunswick's culinary offerings.

Cities and Towns

The province is home to lively cities such as Moncton, the largest city, and Fredericton, the capital. Other picturesque towns and destinations include the Acadian Shores, Charlotte County, and the Fundy Isles. Whether it's a city stroll or a rugged trail, New Brunswick offers a range of experiences for everyone.

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