In 1784 New Brunswick was created via the partitioning of the Colony of Nova Scotia and divided into the counties of NB, which were in turn divided into parishes. By the 1960s the province was a patchwork of incorporated cities, towns, villages, local improvement districts,^[5] and local administrative commissions.^[6] Under this system, many public services including healthcare, social services, and education were provided by county government.^[7] Underfunded poor counties were stuck in a "perpetual cycle of poverty".^[7]

In response, Liberal premier Louis Robichaud introduced the Equal Opportunity Program.^[8] This reformed municipal taxation, and via the 1966 Municipalities Act^[8] eliminated county governments and led to the subsequent centralization of many of their powers. In 1967 counties ceased to exist as government units and nonmunicipal incorporated bodies^[a] were converted to villages. A new governance unit, the local service district (LSD), was created to administer local services like fire departments in some rural areas.^[b] The new villages were given the same municipal powers as towns and cities.^[1] Existing cities and towns were not changed,^[9] while existing villages^[c] were converted to the new village model.

Regional service commissions were added in 2012.

The 2023 New Brunswick local governance reform was an overhaul of the system as follows:^[10]

• 104 local governments were reduced to 77, primarily by combining existing municipalities. Few municipalities were unaffected by the changes, with some new municipalities created by combining LSDs.
• Local service districts were dissolved. Some joined existing or new municipalities or rural communities, while remaining LSD areas were combined to form 12 rural districts corresponding to the regional service commissions. A significant number of LSDs were split between municipalities and rural districts.
• Regional service commissions assumed increased powers; many had their boundaries adjusted.
• Land use planning was improved.
• Financing local governance finance was reformed.

Census areas edit

Census Canada divides the province into census divisions and subdivisions, population centres, and economic regions (Fredericton-Moncton-Saint John, Madawaska-Charlotte, Restigouche-Albert).

Health authorities edit

The NB Department of Health funds two health authorities: Horizon Health Network in the central and southern portions of the province, and Vitalité Health Network in the north and southeast. For statistical purposes, the government further divides the province into seven zones, with zones 2 and 3 in the Horizon authority, and the rest under Vitalité.^[11]

Protected areas edit

• National Parks (Fundy and Kouchibouguac) and provincial parks.
• Canadian Heritage Rivers System: the Saint John, St. Croix, and Restigouche rivers.
• National Wildlife Areas and National Migratory Bird Sanctuaries administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
• Protected Natural Areas legally protected under the provincial Protected Natural Areas Act.^[12]

Indian reserves edit

There are 15 First Nations in New Brunswick.

Canadian Forces bases edit

There is one Canadian Forces Base, CFB Gagetown.

fr:Gouvernance locale au Nouveau-Brunswick (local government in NB)