The City of Fredericton is New Brunswick's Capital City. It prides itself on being a smart and sustainable city offering a cost-competitive business environment and balanced lifestyle with abundant recreational and cultural amenities.
Internationally and nationally recognized for municipal and community efforts, the City delivers more than 60 programs and services to residents and visitors alike, in a planned and financially responsible manner.
Situated in the heart of the Province of New Brunswick, along a scenic bend in the Wolastoq (Saint John River), Fredericton is as much urban energy as small-town charm.
The land along the Wolastoq (Saint John River) has been home to the Wolastoqiyik, “People of the beautiful and bountiful river”, since time immemorial. The Wolastoqey Nation are members of the Wabanaki Confederacy, (People of the Dawn) together with four other First Nations.
The Wolastoqey maintained a migratory lifestyle, living and travelling along the Wolastoq during the warmer time of year, fishing, hunting, foraging, traveling and trading. As the weather turned colder the Wolastoqey migrated further inland for hunting and trapping.
Fredericton is situated within the Wolastoqey traditional territory which was once a seasonal destination for the Wolastoqiyik People, eventually becoming year-round homes to some, with First Nations communities designated by the government in three locations now known as Bilijk (Kingsclear, 1795), Sitansisk (St. Mary’s, 1867), and Welamukotuk (Oromocto, 1895).
French fur traders arrived in 1692, establishing Fort Nashwaak, where the Nashwaak River and the Wolastoq (Saint John River) meet. In 1732, French Acadians fleeing from the British expulsion, formed another settlement called St. Anne’s Point. This community was located near the site of the current Government House.
In 1783, United Empire Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution arrived at St. Anne’s Point. In 1784, the Province of New Brunswick was formed separate and apart from Nova Scotia.
On April 25, 1785 Governor Thomas Carleton wrote to the colonial minister recommending St. Anne’s Point become the capital of New Brunswick and be given the name of Frederick’s Town, in honour of Prince Frederick, Duke of York, second son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. The name was soon shorted to Fredericton.
In 1845, although the population of Fredericton was not large enough to be a considered a city, Queen Victoria made Fredericton a Cathedral City, so Christ Church Cathedral could be built. Fredericton was incorporated as a city on March 30, 1848, by an Act of the Provincial Legislature.
The community continued to thrive and serve as home to several military regiments. The Infantry School Corps (later the Royal Canadian Regiment) was born here in 1883.
The city became a centre for industry, education and culture. It also grew, both in size and population.
- In 1945, the community of Devon (originally known as Gibson), was amalgamated into Fredericton.
- In 1973, Fredericton’s population and area doubled with the amalgamation of several communities. This included Nashwaaksis, Marysville,
Barker’s Point, Silverwood, and parts of Douglas and Lincoln. - In 2023, as part of Local Governance Reform in the province, Fredericton grew again by an estimated 4,300 people and a land mass of 48% to include the surrounding communities of Saint Mary’s, Douglas, Pepper Creek, Estey’s Bridge, as well as part of Lincoln.
Today, in addition to being a centre for government and education, Fredericton is home to the largest concentration of knowledge-based businesses in the province and is one of the fastest growing cities in Atlantic Canada.
The City of Fredericton is governed by a City Council consisting of a mayor, nominated and elected at large, and 12 city councillors, nominated and elected by ward. The mayor and city councillors serve for a four-year term.
City Council is responsible for conducting the business of municipal government. This is done through a variety of meetings, including regular Council meetings, Council-in-Committee meetings, Standing Committee meetings, and other committee and board meetings.
Various municipal bylaws are in place to govern the work of the City of Fredericton. Day-to-day operations of the municipality are overseen by the Chief Administrative Officer and approximately 700 city employees, divided into various departments and divisions.
The Chain of Office is one of the oldest symbols of authority. Dating from the days of the Roman Empire, when necklets were worn by rulers, pharaohs, kings, and emperors.
For over a thousand years, and originating with the Dukes of Normandy, civic authorities have borne an official seal incorporating the Arms of the Authority. The seal was originally worn on a gold chain around the neck of the Chief Official.
This has evolved into the modern Chain of Office, which is composed of several elements joined together with pieces of chain, from which hangs a medallion. The wearing of a Chain of Office by mayors is considered an English tradition.
The first element of our City’s Chain of Office is the City of Fredericton Coat of Arms, which bears the motto “Fredericopolis Silvæ Filia Nobilis” (Fredericton, Noble Daughter of the Forest). The Chain also features the names of all mayors since 1958.
The City of Fredericton Chain of Office was a gift to former Mayor William T. Walker from the Lions Club. It was presented in 1958 to the city to commemorate the visit of HRH Princess Margaret. It was first worn during her visit to Fredericton on August 7, 1958.
The Mayor’s Ceremonial Robe were the result of a Canadian Centennial project in 1967, when city school children collected dimes to buy the robes.
The scarlet and black robe, trimmed in muskrat fur, along with matching hat and jabot, were purchased from Ede & Ravenscroft in London, England, renowned official robe makers for the Royal Family.
The Mayor’s Ceremonial Robe was presented to Mayor William T. Walker in a brief ceremony preceding the regular City Council Session on May 22, 1967. Their use is now reserved for formal occasions at the City of Fredericton.
Fredericton’s logotype features a stylized “Fredericton,” using a modern font with a slight forward lean to suggest movement.
It incorporates a wave graphic into the design, representative of the Wolastoq (Saint John River). There are two parts to the wave, one for each side of the river, coming together as one in an upward motion.
The primary colour for the logo is blue, drawing its inspiration from the river. City Council adopted the logotype for use in September 2006.
The City of Fredericton adopted its coat of arms in 1848. Dr. James Robb designed the coat of arms and is also credited with creating the city’s motto – “Fredericopolis Silvæ Filia Nobilis” (Fredericton, Noble Daughter of the Forest).
The coat of arms features a cross indicating Fredericton’s status as a Cathedral City; the Union and Royal Arms, surmounted by the Royal Crown; and a fir tree denoting the forests from which the Capital and province were carved.
The College of Arms granted Letters Patent to the City of Fredericton to officially use the coat of arms in June 1971. Working with the Canadian Heraldry Authority, digital versions of the coat of arms were created in 2002 (black & white) and 2006 (colour).
The City of Fredericton Flag features the City Coat of Arms with motto line on an azure (blue) background.
The City of Fredericton’s official Scottish tartan was designed by Patricia Jenkins from Loomcrofters in the Village of Gagetown, NB and dates from January 1961. Registered in Scotland, with Lyon, King of Arms, it features various colours that have meaning to the city. Green represents the forests from which the city was carved. Gold is for Prince Frederick, after whom our city is named. Red, white and blue come from the Union Jack. Intended as a dress tartan “the white block is centred by the Cathedral Cross in the Bishop's colour of purple and is then outlined in blue for the river that flows through Fredericton.”
The City of Fredericton has had a long association with its namesake ship, His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton. There have been two vessels named Fredericton in the Royal Canadian Navy.
The first, HMCS Fredericton (K245) was a Flower Class corvette and was commissioned on December 8, 1941 at Sorel, QC. She served during World War II in several capacities and locations. After undergoing a major refit, she spent the remainder of the war as an ocean escort. She was sold in 1948.
The second, HMCS Fredericton (337) is a Halifax Class frigate and was commissioned on September 10, 1994, in Saint John, NB. She is based in Halifax, NS and has carried out various missions on behalf of the Canadian Forces. She underwent a refit in 2004 and continues to conduct operations in support of Canada’s domestic and international policies.
The Ship’s badge features a Bengal tiger, on a field of green representing the forests of New Brunswick. straddling a wavy blue line representative of the Wolastoq (Saint John River), which divides the City of Fredericton in half. The ship’s motto is “Stalker of the Seas.”