Fostering sustainable growth and creating opportunities for businesses and workers to thrive.
Last updated: March 6, 2026
A thriving economy provides opportunities for businesses and individuals, fostering resilience and growth. By promoting innovation, trade and investment we are committed to building a sustainable economy that benefits every community.
We continue to support wage growth in the province as measured by the average weekly earnings provided by Statistics Canada. A year-over-year change including regular wages and salaries, overtime pay, commissions, bonuses and paid absences. Self-employed individuals are not included.
Pre-pandemic average growth between 2014 -2019 was 2.5% while the average growth between 2019-2023 was 4.1%. Our target is a 3% annual growth in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The 2024 result, as reported in 2025, was 3.7%.
Source: Statistics Canada
In 2024, Statistics Canada reported that the percentage of young people who are actively engaged in education, employment or training was 84.6%.
Our goal is to increase the percentage to 86.9% by 2028. The line graph shows our current state for 2025 and the targets for 2026 and 2027 to help us achieve our goal.
The proportion of young people who are actively engaged in education, employment or training is often monitored by policymakers as well, since young people who are not employed or enrolled in school may be experiencing difficulties transitioning from school to the labor market and could be at risk for low income and social exclusion.
The result for 2025 was 81.7%.
Source: Statistics Canada
Focus immigration pathways on critical labour needs like health care, building trades, and education, and support newcomers to make New Brunswick home.
The provincial government has negotiated an increased immigration allocation with the federal government. New Brunswick will now receive 4,250 permanent resident nominations this year, an increase of 1,500 from the figure announced in February 2025.
Leverage our opportunities and strengths to invest in the right sectors at the right time including emerging opportunities in energy, technology, agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing.
Keep up to date on our investments and opportunities.
The government, through Opportunities NB, is providing up to $54.3 million over the next three years to support New Brunswick companies as they modernize operations, improve productivity, strengthen long-term competitiveness and keep New Brunswickers working.
Close cell coverage and high-speed internet gaps across the province.
On September 28, 2025, the government announced its partnership with Bell Canada to improve cellular coverage in rural areas of the province.
On October 7, 2025, government announced departments are teaming up to build three new towers to support cellular equipment from service providers.
Five new research projects that align with New Brunswick’s priority sectors are being funded through ResearchNB.
Increase New Brunswick exports by diversifying our international markets and working with our Canadian neighbours to remove trade and credential barriers posing economic roadblocks.
Trade within Canada is an essential driver of the Canadian economy. Eliminating barriers to internal trade will help to lower prices, increase productivity, and help diversify markets for New Brunswick businesses. Learn more about our efforts.
Legislation introduced to support interprovincial labour mobility.
The provincial government has introduced new legislation to modernize and simplify trade across the country.
Support the transition committee’s work on the Status of the Artist.
On May 9, 2025, government introduced Legislation that affirms recognition and fair compensation for professional artists in New Brunswick.
Maximize the benefit of infrastructure to New Brunswickers by leveraging an asset management plan for transportation infrastructure to ensure roads and bridges are prioritized for repair or replacement and that contractors are paid on time.
The Road Ahead is a rolling plan and each year the department releases a new edition which outlines investments for the three subsequent years. The 2025 edition of the plan is the fourth release and outlines planned transportation projects for 2025 to 2027.
Formalize a comprehensive strategy for mineral development in NB.
As the government prepares its 2026-27 budget, New Brunswickers are being asked to provide their input on key financial decisions.