Fostering sustainable growth and creating opportunities for businesses and workers to thrive.
Last updated: June 12, 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 3.8%.
The 2025 result, as reported in 2026, 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%.
The result for 2026 is 84.3%.
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.
Phase in pay equity in the private and care sector, using a model similar to Quebec and Ontario.
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.
The government has launched an economic development strategy focused on building a more productive, investment-ready and globally connected New Brunswick.
Keep up to date on our investments and opportunities.
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.
Increase productivity by reviewing and improving investment tax credits like SBITC and scientific research and economic development (SR/ED) credits to ensure investments in research, automation, and technology.,
Proposed updates to the Small Business Investor Tax Credit program are intended to support New Brunswick businesses, promote innovation and encourage economic growth by fostering greater investment in strategic sectors.
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.
Consider arts and culture as important economic and social drivers. Better leverage opportunities to invest in our artists, cultural and creative industries, and institutions to ensure good-paying jobs and a robust creative economy that all New Brunswickers can be proud of.
The government is taking a new approach to arts funding that is meant to improve predictability, clarity and service for the sector. Administration of the government’s remodeled Operational Support Program is being transferred to the New Brunswick Arts Board, also known as artsnb, which is an arm’s-length arts funding agency.
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.
The government has introduced a Mineral Resources Act that Natural Resources Minister John Herron says will be the foundation for one of the most agile, predictable and timely regulatory frameworks for mineral development in Canada.
Standard and Poor’s, a global credit rating agency, has reaffirmed New Brunswick’s A+ credit rating with a stable outlook.