New Brunswick is one of Canada’s three maritime provinces, distinguished as the sole officially bilingual region, recognizing both English and French. Nestled along the country’s east coast, the province is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery and vibrant cultural heritage.
Like other Canadian provinces, New Brunswick witnesses four distinct seasons. With milder summers and less severe winters due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. For those contemplating immigration or a visit, the journey often leads to one of the province’s three major cities: Saint John (the largest city), Fredericton (the provincial capital), and Moncton.
Explore the following crucial details to acquaint yourself with before making the move to New Brunswick.
Employment
New Brunswick offers numerous job opportunities, especially in key sectors like Electric Power Transmission, Gasoline and Petroleum, and Commercial Banking, the top three revenue-generating industries in the province. Despite this, the annual unemployment rate in New Brunswick tends to fluctuate between 6-9%, surpassing the national average.
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Significant employers in the province include the Government of New Brunswick, Horizon Health Networks, Vitalité Health Network, Walmart Inc., and Irving Oil Ltd. While New Brunswick boasts sectors like manufacturing and fisheries, the job market centers mainly around well-established industries. The minimum wage in the province is CAD 14.75 per hour. Positive economic outcomes are anticipated for New Brunswick in 2023 and 2024, driven by significant population growth.
Education
In New Brunswick, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development oversees the education system, divided into seven school districts primarily based on whether they offer English or French curriculum. Both public and private schools operate within these districts.
The full-day kindergarten program is for children turning five by December 31 of the corresponding school year. Throughout their K-12 education, students follow a comprehensive curriculum focusing on literacy, numeracy, ethical practices, and global awareness. The curriculum also incorporates initiatives to promote students’ mental health and wellness. A search tool for school directories across the province is available, find it here.
Upon completing their K-12 education, students in New Brunswick have access to various higher education institutions. Notable universities like the University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, and St. Thomas University are among them. Additionally, two community colleges, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), offer diploma and certificate programs. Apprenticeship programs for those interested in skilled professions are also accessible in New Brunswick.
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International students should note that any educational institution they attend must be a Designated Learning Institution—the only school in Canada authorized to accept international students.
Housing
Due to New Brunswick’s modest population, most residents settle in its three largest cities. These urban centers are renowned for their affordable rental and property purchase rates, positioning New Brunswick as one of Canada’s most economical real estate markets.
Each of these cities boasts a similar population size, along with comparable housing prices and various property types available for rent or purchase. Options include fully and semi-detached homes, townhouses, and apartment condos.
To address housing supply challenges observed across Canada, the provincial government of New Brunswick has implemented a new housing strategy. This includes initiatives such as rent banks, direct financial assistance to tenants, and more. For additional details, visit the provincial government website.
Taxation
New Brunswick is renowned for offering some of Canada’s most appealing income tax rates. Like the rest of the country, these rates vary based on income, ranging from 9.4% to 20.3%. The combined provincial and federal tax rate falls from 24.4% to 53.3%.
New Brunswick, like certain other Canadian provinces, also follows a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) system. Under this system, provincial and federal taxes on goods and services are concurrent. The current HST rate in New Brunswick stands at 15%. As the HST Act outlines, tax rebates and credits apply to specific goods and services.
Transportation
New Brunswick offers diverse transportation options, especially between its three major cities, owing to the varied landscapes within the province.
Urban public transportation in the province is managed by two private companies, Codiac Transpo and Maritime Bus, overseeing bus services. Fredericton’s bus transit service operates 28 buses along 12 routes six days a week. In Saint John, the transit service utilizes 60 accessible buses, providing services from Monday to Saturday. Moncton’s Codiac Transpo operates 40 buses on different routes throughout the week. Although these routes are abundant, occasional challenges in catching a bus at the scheduled time make driving a more popular alternative for those who can manage.
Additionally, Fredericton, Saint John, and Greater Moncton feature fully equipped airports capable of handling local and international flights. These airports are serviced by charter and commercial airlines, offering flights across Canada to select U.S. destinations.
Services for Newcomers
Like other provinces and territories across Canada, New Brunswick offers settlement services to newcomers who choose to immigrate to the region.
These services receive funding from municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. Your eligibility for these services hinges on both your legal status in Canada and the entity providing the funding for the services you seek. Although most settlement services are targeted towards permanent residents and particular temporary residents, contacting your chosen settlement organization is recommended to confirm eligibility.
For additional details on settlement service providers in New Brunswick, you can visit the dedicated webpage on the provincial government’s website we mentioned above.
