State of the City Address 2025
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
POPULATION GROWTH
NUMBER OF PERMITS
$140,000,000
$120,000,000
$100,000,000
$80,000,000
$60,000,000
$40,000,000
$20,000,000
PERMIT VALUES
HOUSING UNITS
VACANCY RATES
In Miramichi, New Brunswick, the apartment vacancy rate is very low, with only 0.9% of units available for rent.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
• Low Vacancy: The vacancy rate in Miramichi is 0.9%, indicating a tight rental market.
• Total Units: There are 1,036 rental units in Miramichi.
• New Brunswick Context: New Brunswick's apartment vacancy rates have dropped rapidly, with the province-wide rate at 1.5% in October 2023.
City Housing Targets/Projections
City Target:
(from Housing Accelerator Funding (HAF) Action Plan)
• 2024: 241
• 2025: 236
• 2026: 230
• 2027: 224
• 2028: 226
• 2029: 227
• 2030: 228
HOUSING
Housing continues to be a key priority of City Council
• Downtown Housing Incentive Program
• Affordable Housing Incentive
• Surplus Land for Housing Projects
City of Miramichi secured $3.0 million in Federal Funding to support housing initiatives in the City Housing Accelerator Fund. It will support new programs and infrastructure development.
Economic Development Department secured Federal Funding to support rapid responses to the overdose crisis in the City (Health Canada).
City of Miramichi secured $722,527 in Provincial Funding to support housing related infrastructure projects in the City (RDC).
City of Miramichi will invest $885,000 in 2025 to support the creation of 142 housing units (52 affordable units/89 market units).
One property from the Surplus Property Project transferred to create 24 rental units, one property sold for creation of 25 missing middle rental units, as well as several others under various stages of development interest.
Revenue for new housing units/ incentives
As of Dec 31, 2024
Increase in Tax Base from 2022 $12,900,300.00 Cumulative Municipal taxes received since 2022 (Approx) $484,679.38 Total Municipal Grants Awarded $930,000.00
HOUSING STARTS
HOMELESSNESS
Miramichi Housing Solutions opened a new permanent shelter in December 2024 at 273 King George Highway. This new facility doubles the number of permanent shelter beds in the City/Region and will also host the Out of the Cold Shelter.
Key Points about MHS and their work:
• Trained professionals helping to rebuild lives
• Operates the shelter in a structured environment with clear rules and accountability
• Invests in long-term solutions with wraparound services and support attaining more permanent housing solutions
• Provides on-site healthcare one day a week
• Assists those at risk of homelessness with prevention funds
• Working to create a community hub to help people learn life skills, participate in workshops, access showers & laundry facilities
ECLIPSE 2024
ECLIPSE 2024
• Attendance was calculated at 6,000 attendees for the drone show and 12,000 attendees for the official viewing day.
• Hotel capacity for the weekend was reported at a 90+ % occupancy.
• Many restaurants and fast-food outlets reported “best day ever” sales on the day of the eclipse.
• Three (3) private jets landed at the Miramichi airport with passengers to view the eclipse with jet fuel purchases at the airport reported at over $10,000.
• Three (3) motorcoaches from Nova Scotia attended Monday’s event.
• Many municipal parks such as Ritchie Wharf and Waterford Green were filled with people viewing the eclipse.
• Other activities associated with the eclipse celebrations such as the Brilliant Labs Atlantic Canadian School Innovation Fair, Astronomy East Conference and Downtown Newcastle Cosmic Jamfest also recorded higher than normal attendance numbers for their respective events.
• Media coverage for the event reached national attention.
• Film crews were in Miramichi for multiple days shooting documentaries.
• Social media coverage on the event was unparalleled and provided exposure for the city.
• Estimated Economic impact on the City of Miramichi was $4.5 million
The Amazing Race Canada
The second last episode from Season 10 was filmed at Over the Cove Zipline at French Fort Cove , Middle Island Park, Water St, and other locations throughout the City.
CARPIQUETMIRAMICHI
80TH
ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
80th anniversary of D-Day
• The visit to Carpiquet, France to commemorate the D-Day anniversary also strengthened the relationship between the two communities.
• Commitments were made to develop joint projects that focus on youth which could include exchange trips, letter writing exchanges, sport exchange trips and more.
• Invitation extended for the Carpiquet Mayor and Council to visit Miramichi.
• A twinning agreeing between Carpiquet and Miramichi was signed in 2022.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY 2024
In 2024, the City welcomed new staff to the senior management team including:
Executive Assistant – Sandra Gauger
Engineer – Mark Buckingham
Human Resources Director – Mandi Grantmyre
Chief of Police – Brian Cummings
Deputy Chief of Police – Randy Hansen
Superintendent of Police – Andrew McFarlane
Fire Chief – Stephen Melanson
We want to thank the entire management team and all city staff for their hard work during 2024 and our appreciation for their continued efforts in 2025.
New City Website
Looking forward: Plans and Priorities for 2025
Welcome to new city councillors: Peggy Doyle and Guy Richard
2025 Challenges
o Tariffs
o Federal Immigration reforms
o Aging Infrastructure + lack of infrastructure funding partnership
o Municipal reform
o Healthcare availability
o Ongoing delays of bridge project
Secondary Route / Centennial Bridge closure
• Both are needs in the community and region
• City council has passed motions three times calling for a bypass / secondary route
• The bypass and bridge rehabilitation is needed for long term growth, development and public safety of the community
The full closure of the bridge has been delayed until 2026, and it will now be two full closures instead of three.
• DTI is hosting a Public Engagement
Session on Wednesday, April 23rd at the Kin Centre from 5 to 7 p.m.
Highlights of 2025 Priorities
• Preparing for the transition to the Multiplex
• Housing development + Labour Force
Attraction
• Infrastructure and public space renewal and development
• Develop Growth Plan and Renew Economic Development Strategy
• Celebrate our 30th Anniversary and successes
• Determine Library Long Term Replacement Plan
GROWTH PLAN
• The City will be issuing an RFP for a consultant
• It will map out the growth areas of the City for the next 20 years
• It will build on municipal development plan and inform the next plan in 2030
• It will guide capital planning for water/sewer, etc,.
• Will signal to developers and community members where growth will be focused, reduce NIMBY-ISM
• Will involve public consultation
30th Anniversary & 200 Commemoration
City of Miramichi- Dept. of Ec. Dev & Tourism
Drone Show July 1st
2 twenty-minute shows highlighting the 30th anniversary with a focus on “City of Festivals
30th Anniversary Celebration
Coin
Back of the coin designed by Pauline Young referencing Rankin House
200th Commemoration
Book Signing- August 22nd and 23rd
Author Alan MacEachern
Dinner Theatre- October 7th
Hosted by Susan Butler and Character Matters
Miramichi
Fire Safety Events
Stephen Tull (Wildfire Expert) and City of Miramichi Fire Dept.
Anglophone North School District
Student Projects
Nomination deadline is April 30th, 2025
Miramichi Multiplex Project Renewing for our future
Multiplex (Arbec Wellness Centre) Construction Schedule/Update
We have seen no increase in costs so far based strictly on the threat of tariffs.
The project is still on schedule to be completed in September 2026.
23% - Local Subtrade Contractors and Suppliers (based in Miramichi)
15% - Regional Subtrade Contractors and Suppliers (within 100km of the project site)
42% - New Brunswick based Subtrade Contractors and Suppliers (>100km from the project site)
20% - Outside NB based Subtrade Contractors and Suppliers
Project Schedule
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Design
June 2023 to April 2024
Pre Construction
September 2023 to May 2024
Construction
Occupancy
REVISED – December 2023 to August 2026 ORIGINAL - May 2024 to August 2026
Sept 2026
MULTIPLEX FUNDRAISING
A fundraising campaign began in mid-2024 with a goal to raise $5 million.
As a result of interest from donors, the goal has been raised to $7
ARBEC $4 Million Donation Secures Naming Rights
ARBEC WELLNESS CENTRE
The City of Miramichi announced in January 2025 that a longterm Naming Rights agreement in principle has been secured for the Miramichi Wellness Multiplex.
Arbec Forest Products Inc. will pay $4 million to the City’s fundraising campaign to have naming rights for the building, the arena and the turf soccer field on King Street for the next 25 years.
Deborah Lyons has pledged a $250,000 gift to the City of Miramichi, in support of the new Arbec Wellness Centre. In recognition of her gift, the city is proud to name the Gymnasium space after her parents, Rita and Joseph Lyons.
The Campton Christie Foundation Inc., represented by Irene (Kerr) Christie, have agreed to provide funding to the City of Miramichi, in support of the new Arbec Wellness Centre. In recognition of the generous $300,000 gift, the naming of the Leisure and Competition Pool is being offered in perpetuity of their life, in the Aquatic Centre space.
The Leisure Pool will be recognized in honour of Genevieve Kerr.
The Competition Pool will be recognized in honour of J. Fraser Kerr.
Commercial Development Opportunity
• Expressions of Interest issued for a 2month period
• 3 proponents responded
• Developing an RFP for 3 proponents to review
CITY FINANCES
As of today’s date, we have a total of $34,045,001 in reserve
$20 million of General Capital Reserve is committed to the Multiplex Debt Cost Ratio in 2024 is 8.6%
General Operating Reserve $2,151,045
General Capital Reserve $ 27,313,754
Water Operating Reserve $ 309,245 Water Capital Reserve $ 4,270,957
City of Miramichi Capital Projects 2025
$41 Million
million
Million
Million
Million
CAPITAL PROJECTS BUDGET 2025
• Multiplex - $98,000,000
• John Street - $1,200,000
• Howard Street - $1,300,000
• Fire Truck - $1,300,000
• Eco Centre roof - $1,300,000
• Kerr Park - $1,100,000
• Newcastle Water System (multi-year project) - total value $5,300,000
DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Improvements to the Newcastle water system
Building active transportation networks
Ongoing street resurfacing efforts
Asset Management
o Documented the status of our existing infrastructure
o Determined long term funding needs to support our infrastructure
Ongoing construction to our multiplex
Moving tenders online in 2025
COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
• Updated Designs for following areasHarkins/Memorial Recreational Hub, Ian Baillee
Recreational Hub, Middle Island, and Anderson Mill
Trail, Ritchie Wharf, and Chatham Waterfront
• Installation of Public Wi-Fi Miramichi Civic Centre
• ATV By-Law
• Recognition from Communities in Bloom 2024 - The City of Miramichi received a rating of 4 Blooms and a special mention for Bringing People Together with Beautiful Greenspaces
• Installation of new playground equipment Carrol St Park , and Loggieville.
• Partnered with Downtown Newcastle Business District and Beaverbrook Society on addition of holiday lighting in Queen Elizabeth Park.
• Phase One of Memorial Recreation Hub including Installation of New Outdoor Basketball Court, and Parking lot.
• Lease Agreement with Calico Café on the operation of restaurant at Middle Island Park
• Supported over 19 projects valued at a total of $50,000 through the Community Development Grant
• Upgrades to Memorial Field , Gerald King Field and installation of new lighting system at MVHS/City Field
• Growth of Pickleball- Development of updating court policy, opening of Pickleball Courts at Golden Hawk Recreation, support for other courts developed at Gretna Green and Nordin Recreation Centre.
• Upgrades to Ritchie Wharf Stage and Dance Floor - Phase 1 of the new design
• Phase 1 of the Anderson Mill Trail
• Updated 3 IT policies to enhance the City’s cybersecurity infrastructure
• Ratified the MAPP collective agreement
• Ratified the IAFF collective agreement
Human Resources Department Highlights Public Works Department
• The water treatment plant upgrades have been completed as of February 20th
• Presently testing and sampling for preparing for the reservoir to go online in late May
• Best tasting water in North America!
Miramichi Fire Department Highlights
Moving to a full Paid-on-Call model for non-career members.
Ordering a new Engine with a delivery expected in late 2026 early 2027
Migrating to a new record management software
Enhancing training to ensure all members are educated and trained on the tasks they are expected to perform, which includes training Paid on Call members to the same level as Career members
Increasing fire inspections and formalizing public education programs
Updating key by-laws and policies
Creating a development plan for the future of the Fire Service out to 2040 in coordination with the growth study, expected completion summer 2026
Publishing annual reports on the status of the fire department
Chatham Public Library
• The Chatham Public Library building was closed in November 2024 due to extensive structural issues.
• A motion to lease space in the Chatham Town Centre for the temporary location of the Chatham Public Library was approved by city council in November 2024. The lease agreement is for 24 to 30 months.
• A survey was conducted about what users
• would like to see in a new library space
• The temporary location opened in late January 2025.
• A tender was issued and awarded for the demolition of the former library building.
• Options for the permanent replacement of the library will be reviewed and evaluated.
CEDI / REGIONAL COLLABORATION
CEDI Journey
June 2022 - First session held in Miramichi – Partnership and plans discussed and developed.
May 2023 – Second session held in Metepenagiag – Worked with Han Martin to focus projects for future development
September 2024 – Third session held in Miramichi – visioning for UPM property
November 2024 – CEDI Graduation
Between sessions, numerous online meetings held to move projects, plans and visions forward.
Mi’kmaq flag raising – March 2024
• Commitment to continued collaboration
• Signed Terms of Reference by both parties on how the partnership will continue to move forward
● Drafted Peace and Friendship Policy
● Flow of communication and information sharing between communications for Natoaganeg and the City of Miramichi
REGIONAL COLLABORATION
- New CEO Roberta McIntyre & Director of Planning Justin Forbes - Operational Review of the Planning Services Department ongoing - Lead on Labour Force Attraction and Tourism Promotion - Tourism Promotion Strategic Plan Underway - Operational Review and Priority setting for Community Development - Regional Transportation Study