Living in New Brunswick

New Brunswick's Department of Health provides publicly funded programs, services and activities under three core business areas. Protection of those most at risk; prevention, education and awareness; and, provision of care.

The department is committed to the well being of New Brunswickers by promoting self-sufficiency  and personal responsibility and by providing approved services as required. It also offers the continuum of services to prevent illness and disability.

These services are provided through Public Health Clinics located throughout the province, as well as centrally located services such as Medicare, the NB Prescription Drug Program  and Cancer Network.

Health ensures the availability of appropriate, quality health services to New Brunswickers, which includes the monitoring of the ongoing operational needs of the province's two Regional Health Authorities
(RHA A | RHA B), including their 51 health care facilities, the Extra-Mural program, Public Health and Mental Health services.

"Of course ... the St. John River of New Brunswick is the most beautiful river in the world." – William F. Buckley in the New Yorker

Whether you prefer small-town communities or big-city amenities, family-oriented recreation or a thriving arts and culture environment, New Brunswick, Canada offers a quality of life that's sure to suit your lifestyle.

We've got sandy beaches, craggy coastlines carved by the world's highest tides, magnificent rivers, rolling farmland and lush forests – all kinds of unspoiled countryside within minutes of wherever you choose to live. We've got more covered bridges than anywhere else, world famous salmon rivers, as well as miles of adventure-filled parkland.

Population
As of 2020, approximately 789,225 people were proud to call New Brunswick home. Approximately 33 per cent are French-speaking, and New Brunswick is Canada's only official bilingual province. Saint John is the province's oldest city with a population of 131,772 in the census metropolitan area. Greater Moncton is home to 158,695. Fredericton, the capital, has a population of 111,024. Bathurst's population is about 31,691; Edmundston's is 23,778; Campbellton's is 15,901 and Miramichi is 27,997.

New Brunswick has invested heavily in developing a world-class learning environment and it's an investment that pays off for all New Brunswickers. The more options you have in education... the more options you have in employment.

Schools
New Brunswick's publicly funded and private schooling education system Kindergarten to Grade 12) has been designed with that specific goal in mind.

Today, 100% of our schools are connected to the Internet. We have partnered with private industry to ensure all students in elementary, junior high and senior high schools receive computer-based learning curriculum. And we offer our students a comprehensive curriculum including the study of English, French, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, technology, physical education and music.

All training and services are provided in both English and French and after-school learning activities help all students reach their full potential.

To deliver quality training, you need quality teaching professionals. That's why students wishing to become a New Brunswick teacher must have a degree in their discipline as well as a concurrent or consecutive bachelor of education degree.

How successful is our public education system? We have the highest high school graduation rate in all of Canada (over 85%) and all New Brunswick students are computer-literate upon graduation.

Our five universities, nine community colleges and over 100 private training institutions are well-known across Canada for providing high quality education to over 35,000 students.

Universities
Over 18,000 full-time students and 4,700 part-time students attend New Brunswick's five universities located throughout the province. Our universities are especially well-known for their expertise in the fields of engineering, forestry, e-commerce, nursing, high technology, law and social work. Well over 4,000 grads enter the workforce each year from these universities, ranked among the best in their classes of all Canadian universities.

• University of New Brunswick
• St. Thomas University 
• Mount Allison University 
• Université de Moncton 
• Crandall University

Private Training Firms
There are over 100 private training firms throughout the province offering short and long term courses in information technology, customer service training, welding, hospitality and tourism, among many other fields. It is estimated that 7,000 New Brunswickers attend these institutions, a testament to the Government's successful commitment to provide a work-ready workforce to New Brunswick companies.

Community Colleges
Leading edge technical and industrial training is available at nine provincial Community Colleges throughout the province. These colleges work with industry to develop courses and match training opportunities with manpower requirements. Over 114 industry-responsive programs are leading to diplomas in technology, electronics, computer science, call center operations, and more.