The History

The existence of New Brunswick was known to the Europeans as early as the 1400s, when intrepid Basque fishermen plied their trade off Miscou in the northeast region of the province. At that time, the region was inhabited by the Malecite and Micmac peoples. The Micmacs were the first to receive Samuel de Champlain and the French when they landed in New Brunswick in 1604. The Aboriginal people established good relations with the French from the outset, helping the French settlers, known as Acadians, to adapt to their new country and taking part in the French attacks on New England.

The British and French feuded over the area for a century. Control passed back and forth until 1713, when Acadia was ceded to the British under the Treaty of Utrecht. With time, France lost interest in the Acadians, turning most of its attention to New France and the burgeoning fur trade.

By 1755, England had established its dominance as a colonial power. Fearing that the Acadians were a security threat, the British deported, mainly to the United States, more than 10 000 Acadians who would not swear allegiance to the British Crown. Their exile lasted eight years, after which a significant number returned to their homeland.

The New Brunswick we know today was first part of Nova Scotia. In 1783, the western part of Nova Scotia became the home of thousands of Loyalists who had taken flight in the aftermath of the American Revolution. These American colonists, wishing to remain faithful to the British Crown, founded communities in the northern part of present-day New Brunswick and soon were anxious to establish a new colony.

The separation of territory took effect in 1784 and the name "New Brunswick" was chosen in honour of King George III (1760-1820), a descendant of the Brunswick House. In 1867, New Brunswick joined other provinces to form the Dominion of Canada.