The story of New Brunswick, Canada's only
officially bilingual province, is a captivating tapestry of diverse cultures,
colonial conflict, and the endless dance of progress. This journey begins with
the region's original inhabitants and takes us through European settlement, into
federation, and forward into modern times.
Before European contact, New Brunswick was home to indigenous peoples for
thousands of years. The Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi'kmaq tribes were among
the primary inhabitants, living off the land's bounty and forging vibrant
societies along the river valleys and coasts.
In the early 17th century, the French established a presence in the region,
which was then part of Acadia. Over the years, French influence grew, marked by
the development of agriculture, fur trading, and settlements, including the
fortified village of Sainte-Anne, now Fredericton.
The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 saw the British taking control of mainland Nova
Scotia, while the French retained Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island. The
ensuing decades were a time of conflict and uneasy cohabitation, with the
French, British, and indigenous nations navigating a complex web of alliances
and disputes.
In the mid-18th century, the British expelled the Acadians during the Grand
Dérangement, a dark period of forced deportation. Many Acadians later returned,
their culture enduring and deeply influencing New Brunswick's identity.
After the American Revolution, New Brunswick saw a significant influx of
Loyalists — American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown. Their
arrival led to the creation of New Brunswick as a separate colony from Nova
Scotia in 1784, with Saint John, incorporated in 1785, becoming Canada's first
incorporated city.
In 1867, New Brunswick joined Confederation as one of the original four
provinces of Canada. This period ushered in an era of growth and transformation.
The province's economy, traditionally based on resource extraction like timber
and fishing, began to diversify with manufacturing, shipbuilding, and rail
transportation.
Throughout the 20th century, New Brunswick's economy evolved further, with
notable expansion in sectors such as education, healthcare, and service
industries. The establishment of the University of New Brunswick and Université
de Moncton, among other institutions, underscores the province's commitment to
education and cultural preservation.
Today, New Brunswick reflects its rich historical tapestry — the resilience of
indigenous cultures, the enduring influence of Acadian and British settlers, and
the diverse immigrant groups that have made the province their home. It's a
place of natural beauty, from the Bay of Fundy's dramatic tides to the lush
Acadian forests, echoing the resilience and diversity of its people.
The history of New Brunswick isn't just the chronicle of past events — it's a
living narrative that continues to shape the province's identity. As we gaze
towards the future, we do so with the understanding that our past is the
undercurrent guiding our path forward.
28,355 square miles.
230 miles.
190 miles.
26 per square mile.
Background: White.
Image: A wooden sailing ship.
Text: New/Nouveau Brunswick.
A white silhouette of the province's map on a green square background.
As well as the road number, the initials "NB" also appear.
A white silhouette of the province's map on a black square background.
As well as the road number, the initials "NB" also appear.
Named in honour of the British royal family of Brunswick-Luneburg, the House of Hannover.
The Loyalist Province. The term "Loyalist" is often used to refer to people who supported the British Government at the time of the American War of Independence, but I don't know if this meaning applies in this specific case.
Saint John: January high 28F, July high 70F.
I'm reliably informed that Saint John is usually several degrees Celsius cooler in the summer than almost all other areas of New Brunswick, due to the cooling influence of the cold Bay of Fundy waters. Conversely, winter in Saint John is often not as harsh as in many inland locales.
FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED REGARDING THIS PAGE BEFORE IT WAS UPDATED:
Hello:
I was wandering around your site (which I enjoyed very much) and of course, being from New
Brunswick, just had to look at the NB info. I hope you don't mind if I mention a point or
two which may be of interest
to you.
The nickname of New Brunswick is (or was) "The Picture Province", not "The
Loyalist Province", as stated on the New Brunswick info page. Saint John, however is
called "The Loyalist City", as it was the landing point of the Loyalists (some
of whom were my ancestors) in 1783. "Loyalist" in this case does indeed mean
those British subjects who were loyal to the British crown at the time of the American
revolutionary
war.
The phrase "The Picture Province" used to appear on NB license plates until
"official bilingualism" made it impracticable to put that on in English and in
French.
I also had a look around a few other pages about Canadian Provinces, and noted that the
Newfoundland page, under "Climate" lists "Saint John's". Please note
that the capital of Newfoundland is spelled "St. John's"; and the largest city
in New Brunswick is only correctly spelled "Saint John", and the two should not
be confused. To native Saint Johners such as I, this is a very annoying error.
Thanks for the info on your site. Hope these points don't seem too petty.
Robert Ward
Kingston
New Brunswick
Canada
New Brunswick
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