In the interest of information resilience and more people having successful moves to New Brunswick, Canada, I have assembled some key pieces of information to consider when you move to this province.
Updated 14 July 2021
Residency
All of the services below are contingent on residency. The Government of New Brunswick (GNB) has assembled a couple of lists:
Medicare
Once you are considered a resident (three months, sometimes less with exceptions), New Brunswick Medicare covers: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/MedicarePrescriptionDrugPlan/content/medicare/CoverageandClaimsInsideNewBrunswick.html. I am not copying the list as it can change. I highly recommend you read in detail what is covered and not covered. If you do not qualify to become a resident right away, check your originating province for outside province coverage. Also check the costs of items not covered as well as ambulance fees ($650 for non residents). New Brunswick has limited health coverages, often depending on low income levels. An example is the restricted Healthy Smiles and Clear Vision program: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/promos/healthy_smiles_clear_vision.html
Special Needs
If you already know that you or your child has special needs, contact your doctor to ask about transitioning to care in New Brunswick. The waitlist is extensive in New Brunswick. So, check your urban bias and be prepared to advocate for comparable services or to finance additional supports independently.
Seniors
Always check your existing plans and their transferability to New Brunswick. New Brunswick did publish a very comprehensive guide to senior care, here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/Seniors/SeniorsGuide-e.pdf CAUTION: it was published in 2016. New Brunswick does have a drug plan for seniors: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.8875.New_Brunswick_Drug_Plans_for_Seniors.html. A kit was published in January 2021 that talks about coverage options after 65 years old: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/en/NBDrugPlan/SeniorsKit.pdf. And there is also special welfare provisions too, which can be found on the primary portal, which includes housing and welfare at: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/seniors.html. I seriously urge you to take note of all the financial cut offs as they are very low compared to most provinces, thus if you have made more money in another province, it might be more challenging to get the same level of care as in more affluent provinces.
Cross-country
For a cross country comparison of health coverage: https://www.sbis.ca/canadas-provincial-health-plans.html
Moving here from Ontario
Here is what you have covered usually in Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/what-ohip-covers.
They also have a comprehensive health eyes and smiles program: https://www.ontario.ca/page/services-covered-by-healthy-smiles-ontario?fbclid=IwAR31wWNuufAJM_YBdxRxXOIhcsh6XeoXRgDvQxdjAn4qT7MQdsvzuX9m8Q8
Daycare and Schooling
School age in New Brunswick is usually five years old and can enter one of two systems that are explained here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/education/k12.html
Prior to school age, it is up to the parents for child care. There are income restricted programs for subsidies located: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.14136.html
You can search for approved facilities here: https://www.nbed.nb.ca/parentportal/en/search/elc/
You can search for k-12 school here: https://www.nbed.nb.ca/schooldirectory/default.aspx?strLang=E
If your school age child has special needs, I recommend that you read up on existing supports through Social Development: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/services/services_renderer.10195.html
Also contact the local school board to ask about programs.
If you are a homeschool parent, there are many Facebook groups for resources and several local libraries actively support community efforts such as homeschooling.
Transportation
Transferring your license is an important and time consuming process.
Vehicle
You have 6 months to transfer your vehicle but A person who becomes a resident of New Brunswick must register their vehicle with Service New Brunswick immediately (https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.200814.Motor_Vehicle_Registration.html).
Drivers License & Identification
For your drivers license, that is more pressing as it is necessary once you are a resident. Some things to consider when moving here though to ensure proper transfer is that your license from your originating province does not expire in 6 months and other details. For full details on the licensing system, read here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.201491.Driver_s_Licences.html/
Public Transportation
If you do not have a car, I high recommend you look into getting one or planning very thoroughly as New Brunswick has limited public transportation that is primarily located in the three urbanized areas: Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton. Here are their websites for you to evaluate travelling within these cities:
- Fredericton: https://www.fredericton.ca/en/transit
- Saint John: https://www.saintjohn.ca/transit-schedules?locale=en
- Moncton: https://www.codiactranspo.ca/
These cities are host to the popular stores and major employers. There is limited bus travel between the bus through Maritime Bus (update - Maritime Bus is limited https://huddle.today/maritime-bus-reduces-services-in-new-brunswick/) and sometimes Via Rail runs through the province, however it is presently not in service but it will be soon (11 August 2021 last announcement): https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/atlantic-canada
A volunteer organization does exist for rural rides: https://www.facebook.com/nbruralrides
Also, in some rural areas, you may also be dependent on ferries: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/dti/bridges_ferries/content/ferries.html
Shopping
These major cities are where most people drive to shop and work. Otherwise, rural areas have local grocers spread out that often have convenience store prices. If you have health dependent needs, look up the local stores to find out if they have the products and if they do, it may cost a bit more than you are accustomed. Plan accordingly.
Utilities
There are few powers that be to have internet, home phone and television. In urban areas, you have BellAliant and Rogers while in rural areas, there is BellAliant, Rogers and Xplornet. Most cellular companies now rent towers from the major players so you can likely keep your plan - call to check.
NB Power has comparable rates to other provinces but the temperatures here vary much more, dips below most mini-splits can handle, and the houses are often low insulated. When I moved back from Ontario, the $150 winter bill was a shocking $400 instead. So, ask about power bills for wherever you live to budget accordingly.
Worksheets and a Guide
Home Start up Budgeting Sheet in pdf:
Sheet for gathering information about a property for living in as residential family:
...and the accompanying guide for where to look up the information asked on the Property Information Sheet:
Questions and Beyond
If there are more questions, you can ask them on this page. You can also go to my Facebook page to message me: https://www.facebook.com/theunlibrarian411
Originally posted 3 February 2021
Last updated 26 May 2021
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