The Economic Fabric of the Picture Province: 6 Major Industries in New Brunswick

If you’re looking to invest in New Brunswick, it’s helpful to know the major industries that drive the province’s economy. New Brunswick’s economy is diverse, with a mix of traditional industries like forestry, fishing, and agriculture, as well as emerging industries like information technology, cybersecurity, and digital health. In this article, we’ll explore some of the major industries in New Brunswick and what makes them unique.
Major Industries in New Brunswick
New Brunswick, one of Canada’s three Maritime provinces, boasts a diverse economy with several key industries playing pivotal roles in its financial landscape. The province’s economy is traditionally resource-based, but in recent years it has diversified to encompass a wide range of sectors. Here is an expanded overview of the major industries that underpin New Brunswick’s economic activities
1. Advanced Manufacturing
New Brunswick’s advanced manufacturing sector has a world-class reputation. The province’s companies use state-of-the-art technologies and processes to produce goods in various industries, including aerospace, defense, forestry, mining, oceans, and oil & gas.
New Brunswick is home to several unique infrastructure assets, such as the largest oil refinery in Canada, some of the country’s biggest pulp mills, the Mactaquac Dam, a robust agricultural network, and the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. The province also has 5 CDSB Gagetown, Canada’s second-largest military base, which is one of the province’s largest employers. The industrial activity in aerospace and defense surrounding the base has created a wealth of expertise in the province.
New Brunswick companies have ample experience in assembly, fabrication, total system integration, and the refurbishment of military and commercial vehicles, including Leopard tanks, Wisent 2, LAV3 vehicles, ambulances, and more.
ONB works with industry, universities, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs to ensure that the advanced manufacturing industry has the skilled talent it needs. The University of New Brunswick is home to one of the country’s top engineering faculties, graduating hundreds of students in chemical, civil, mechanical, computer, and electrical engineering every year.
The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick’s INNOV Advanced Manufacturing Division in Bathurst focuses on the implementation of Industry 4.0, with a focus on automation and robotics. In addition, the Université de Moncton’s Robotics, Electronics & Industry 4.0 Lab is helping companies with research, robotics training, and consultation.
If you are interested in advanced manufacturing in New Brunswick, get in touch with ONB to learn more about the province’s unique infrastructure assets, skilled talent, and manufacturing success stories.
2. Agritech
Agritech is a critical component of modernizing New Brunswick’s agricultural sector, which is one of the largest traditional industries in the province. New Brunswick is home to a well-established agricultural sector with a highly-skilled workforce, research institutions, and a value chain that has supported the industry for generations. The province is recognized as an international leader in potato research and production, thanks in large part to the presence of McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen French fries and potato specialties.
New Brunswick’s low operating costs, research and development tax credits, and enviable costs of living make it one of the most cost-competitive jurisdictions in Canada and the US. Additionally, the province’s power rates are among the most competitive in North America, and its energy distribution network for natural gas and electricity is ready to support the needs of controlled-environment agricultural companies. With same-day access to over 100 million North American consumers and well-developed shipping routes, New Brunswick provides agritech companies with access to lucrative US markets and global connections.

3. Cybersecurity
New Brunswick stands as a leader in Canada’s cybersecurity sector, boasting over two decades of pioneering efforts in the domain. This province excels in crafting innovative strategies to safeguard Canadians against cyber threats, notably in the creation of efficient real-time Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) cyberattack detection systems that require minimal computational resources.
The cybersecurity landscape in New Brunswick ranks among the global elite, underpinned by robust collaborations, a commitment to nurturing talent, and a concentration of cutting-edge enterprises ranging from startups to industry giants. The collective endeavors of diverse entities aim to bolster and broaden this industrial nexus. Notably, IBM’s worldwide cybersecurity operations are directed from its office in New Brunswick, while Siemens has established both a Smart Grid Centre of Competence and a Cybersecurity Centre dedicated to the protection of critical infrastructure within the province.
The collaborative spirit is a cornerstone of the cybersecurity sector in New Brunswick. In 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by seven organizations, committing to joint ventures that propel the cybersecurity cluster forward. The Cyber Hatch initiative is a testament to this synergy, providing a continuum of support for companies ranging from their nascent incubation phase through acceleration, scaling, and ultimately deployment.
In New Brunswick, higher education institutions are also working together to significantly expand the province’s capabilities in the realm of cybersecurity. They are projecting a substantial increase in enrollment, with expectations to triple the current numbers within the next five years. This surge would mean nearly 500 students enrolling annually in cybersecurity-related programs, contributing to a fresh talent pool of over 1,300 students embarking on cybersecurity careers. Additionally, there is a growing focus on enhancing skills and offering micro-credentials to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
4. Digital Health
New Brunswick is becoming a hub for digital health innovation. With its aging population and diverse makeup, the province provides a microcosm of Canada’s healthcare landscape, making it an ideal place to develop and test new technologies.
Thanks to unprecedented investment from the Canadian government, New Brunswick is seeing a surge in digital health spending. For instance, the Healthy Seniors Pilot Project, which received $75 million in funding, will support a range of applied research projects. Moreover, partnerships with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), CAN Health Network, and Surrey, British Columbia’s Health and Technology District are bringing even more world-class digital health companies to the region.
Several research centers in New Brunswick are at the forefront of pioneering work in digital health. The NB Institute of Research, Data, and Training (NB-IRDT), situated at the University of New Brunswick, equips researchers with valuable data access, which is instrumental in propelling healthcare research forward, particularly in critical areas like mental health and trauma-related mortality.
Furthermore, the New Brunswick Centre for Precision Medicine holds the distinction of being Canada’s inaugural dedicated precision medicine center, drawing in researchers globally with its cutting-edge facilities and innovative environment.
5. Energy Innovation
New Brunswick has emerged as a global center of excellence in energy innovation. This is due to a unique structure that goes from generator to consumer. The University of New Brunswick, Université de Moncton, and community colleges are leading global research in this field. The Smart Grid Innovation Network has partnered with innovative organizations like Siemens, NB Power, UNB, and Emera. Through the SGIN, New Brunswick provides companies with the sandbox environment they need to validate their products and services.
The Government of New Brunswick is dedicated to strengthening the ecosystem to attract additional private sector investment. Energy technology plays a crucial role in the ongoing growth and prosperity of the province. The development and provision of energy products and services are pivotal in driving New Brunswick’s economic engine, not only by supporting local businesses but also by drawing new investments from international sources.
To drive economic development, ONB is targeting four major industry segments. These are:
- Smart Grid Technology – Helping businesses monitor and manage their energy use and enabling the development of more clean energy to advance our long-term economic growth.
- Clean Energy & Storage – Developing and enabling clean energy sources to power the grid while lowering emissions and efficiently storing energy for future demand.
- Securing Infrastructure – Leveraging New Brunswick’s world-class cybersecurity sector to help better secure physical and digital assets and resources, reducing or eliminating risks and vulnerabilities in the energy industry.
- Consulting & Engineering – Further developing the many consulting and engineering services that support the grid reaching its full potential in an efficient, secure, and resilient manner.
New Brunswick’s energy innovation success stories include the development of a smart grid that will help NB Power customers better manage their electricity usage. This will reduce the need for future spending on power plants and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Information Technology
The Information and Communications Technology sector in New Brunswick is characterized by its diversity, excelling in areas such as geomatics, ocean technology, digital health, Software as a Service, and telecommunications. The province has established itself as a nearshore hub for prominent technology corporations including IBM, Salesforce, CGI, Xerox, MNP, Tech Mahindra, and HCL Technologies.
These global industry leaders are expanding their strategic nearshore technology centers in New Brunswick by leveraging the province’s advantageous immigration policies, skilled workforce, and cost-effective business environment that collectively constitute the New Brunswick advantage.
Read more: Lateetud Chooses New Brunswick for Nearshore Expansion
New Brunswick represents the perfect environment to build, test, and deliver products and services. Not only is it easier to leverage relationships and expertise, but because the province is smaller in size, it is extremely easy to scale a product or service role out. It is a powerful ecosystem to operate from.
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About the author
Maurice