The People

Nova Scotia, which also included all of New Brunswick, was initially settled by Scots, hence the name, New Scotland. Many of the people in both provinces today, are the direct descendants of these sturdy pioneers. With their frugal ways and a well honed work ethic, these early settlers carved a vibrant and prosperous life out of their new wilderness home. Their hard work and perserverance still cast a broad shadow over the New Brunswick landscape.

After New Brunswick was set up as a separate unit, and as a result of the American Revolutionary War, a large influx of Loyalists, many originally from Great Britain, fleeing from persecution and harrassment in the new United States, settled in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In New Brunswick they located primarily in Saint John and Saint Andrews. These people also brought their own unique legacy to the province.

Because of the dislocation brought about by the forced eviction of the French-speaking Acadians which occurred at about the same time, a substantial number of these peaceful woodsmen and farmers and their families escaped to north-eastern New Brunswick. The Acadian community today is a vibrant and important part of the New Brunswick cultural mosaic.

New Brunswick also became the destination for thousands of Irish immigrants in the form of refugees fleeing the potato famines during the mid-19th century. Timber cargo vessels, returning empty to the colony from Britain, provided cheap passage for these desperate people. Quarantine hospitals were located on islands at the mouth of the colony's two major ports, Saint John (Partridge Island) and Chatham-Newcastle (Middle Island), where many would ultimately die.

A substantial number of these desperate people where also routed to smaller centres, such as Saint Andrews where they were quarantined on a tiny island dubbed Hospital Island. Their fate was depressingly the same. Those who did survive settled on marginal agricultural lands in the Miramichi River valley and in the Saint John River and Kennebecasis River valleys while many of those in the Saint Andrews area ended up on railway crews.

It became apparent that for these Irish the new world was only a slight improvement over the old and the hardscrabble farms were eventually abandoned for the colony's major cities within a generation. A number also left for greener pastures in Portland, Maine or Boston, Mass. Today, many New Brunswickers can trace their roots directly to those who remained.

This mix of cultures has made New Brunswick's population an interesting and diverse group. The very pronounced Celtic influence, both Acadian and Irish can be seen in the desire to balance culture and commerce in the make-up of daily life. While New Brunswickers are not afraid of hard work and creating a solid home for themselves and their families, they also treasure their laid-back lifestyle.

The Present
Today's New Brunswick is a curious mix of the new and the old. On the one hand, the use of technology by the general population is quite high. For example, Fax was adopted at an early stage and Internet and email use is very common including the use of websites to promote all sorts of ventures. On the other hand there is ample evidence of traditional values and methods not being easily abandoned.

There is also a strong independent streak which is especially noticeable in a healthy entrepreneurial elan. It is this mindset especially which makes New Brunswick such a great place for anyone with some initiative, to thrive.

In spite of its small size, there is not one New Brunswick, but several. This is most easily explained by visiting the various towns and cities in the province. In addition to the major centres of Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton, the capital, these include:

• City of Miramichi
Based upon 2001 Census information, the City of Miramichi had a population of 18,508, thereby making it the fourth largest city in the province of New Brunswick. Situated at the mouth of the famous Miramichi River the city which includes the former town of Chatham, N.B. began life as so many New Brunswick communities, as a shipbuilding centre.


• City of Bathurst
located in northeastern New Brunswick. Based on 2001 Census information, the City of Bathurst had a population of 12,924. European settlement of the area began more than 350 years ago in 1619. It is located on the Bay of Chaleur (The bay of warmth). Jacques Cartier called it that because he happened to arrive there on a particularly warm summer day in 1534.


• Campbellton
is an entry point to Atlantic Canada from the Province of Quebec and is also the gateway from New Brunswick and the United States to the Gaspé Peninsula. As in neighbouring Miramichi, early economic activities were centered on lumber operations, shipbuilding and sawmills. Its population in 2001 stood at 7,798. All three centres are located on the north-east end of the province.


• Edmunston
is the first major centre you'll encounter as you make your way by road from Quebec via Montreal, Quebec City and Rivière-du-Loup. It is the heart of Madawaska County. It is a predominately French speaking area having been settled primarily by displaced Acadians.


• St. Stephen
With a population of under 4,667, St Stephen is a town not a city. However, when taken together with Calais, Me on the other side of the Canada-U.S border the combined population swells to over 8000.

Residents of St. Stephen and Calais have always regarded their community as one place and still do today, cooperating in their fire departments and other community projects. The border is merely an annoying but almost non-existent nuisance. Today it is the home of Canada's oldest candy maker and a major wood processing plant.

What's in it for me...
Because of its diverse character, it is probably a good idea to determine where in the province you would be most comfortable. In addition to considerations of climate and terrain, the kind of people that will become your new neighbours and hopefully, friends will also have an impact on your quality of life. It makes sense, therefore to explore this aspect also.

This content was written by Henry (Hank) Mulder. Born in the Netherlands, Henry lived in several provinces before settling in New Brunswick.