There is a lot to celebrate in the City, old and new. Here are a few notable milestones the corporation of the City of Saint John has achieved.

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

2019
Completion of the Safe Clean Drinking Water Project, bringing quality, award-winning drinking water to Saint John Water customers. 

2014
Completion of the Harbour Clean-up project, ensuring the Saint John Harbour is 100 percent sewage free.

2012
City earns “Cultural Capital of Canada” designation.

1996
As an early adopter of implementing energy efficiency measures in relation to municipal facilities, the City of Saint John became one of the first Canadian municipalities to create a Municipal Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP).

1967
The District of Simonds (east), and the City of Lancaster (west) amalgamated with the City of Saint John. The sculpture ‘Progression” on the front of City Hall recognizes the amalgamation.

1908
Canada’s first public playground, the Allison Ground Playground, opened thanks to the work of Miss Mabel Peters. 

Mid-1800s
Rockwood Park is constructed, designed by Calvert Vaux, one of the designers of New York City's Central Park. Today, the 2,200-acre regional park is the outdoor jewel to the city.  

1880s
One of the North America’s first sewage systems is built.

1849
The Saint John Police Force was established. 

1845
Saint John’s first street lights were lit. 

1844
First gas works commenced.

1837
Lily Lake anchored the first municipal water supply.

1797
First City Hall building built on Market Square.

1786
Fire service established.

1785
The City of Saint John was established and named by Royal Charter amalgamating (The Town or  District of Parr) Parrtown and Carleton. Only white inhabitants of the United States or Europe were granted all rights and privileges as stated in the Charter.  Black Americans and people of colour could only be granted said privileges by the Mayor. They would then be known as “Freeman.”  The Charter was amended in 1849 to read “Notwithstanding anything in the said Charter to the contrary contained, any black person or person of colour may become a free citizen of, and be admitted to the freedom of the said City.”

1604
Sieur de Monts and Samuel de Champlain arrived at the mouth of the present-day St. John River on June 24, 1604- and named the area in honour of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Our content team is working to complete the information, including links on this page. Thank you for your interest and patience.

This listing is provided as a courtesy by the City of Saint John using information supplied by the organization. Pease contact the individual organization for more information.

To be considered for addition to the list please contact our Arts and Culture Coordinator.

Community Organizations

Festivals

Venues

Libraries

Literary Arts

Dance Companies

Music Companies

Media

Galleries/Visual Art and Craft Studios

Museums

Theatre Companies

Wastewater is the “used” water that goes down the drain when you flush your toilet, wash your dishes, take a bath, and wash your clothes. And this dirty water can’t just go straight back into the environment. Properly and fully treating the wastewater is critical for both public health and our natural environment. Wastewater treatment removes contaminants and prevents them from accumulating in the environment—which protects us, aquatic life, and wildlife.

Wastewater is collected from residential and commercial sources and transported to treatment plants through an extensive network of pipes and pumping stations. It travels to the wastewater treatment facility where objects such as sticks, rocks, sand, and gravel are removed. Micro-organisms are used to eat all the small bits of organic material. The wastewater is disinfected using ultraviolet radiation and the biosolids are used in commercial applications like soccer or baseball fields.

Treated wastewater meets the standards set out in the Approvals to Operate as issued by the Minister of Environment and Local Government.

How you can help

To help keep your environment clean and water treatment running efficiently, remember this: Don’t rush—think before you flush. Many items we use daily should never be flushed because they cause damage to home plumbing and our City’s wastewater infrastructure. Please keep your flushing and drainage to the basics: human waste and toilet paper. They’re the only things that break down during the treatment process, and they won’t cause blockages—which could result in basement flooding and sewer backups. Feel free to look at Saint John’s Sewer By-Law.

Please do not flush or pour the following items down the drain.

For over 25 years the City of Saint John has been a leader in implementing best practices in energy efficiency.

If you or the family are hoping to leap into the water for either a fun, casual swim or lap swimming, there’s something you need to know—our swimming options are the envy of the country. First of all, the Bay of Fundy—need we say more? Also, two beautiful rivers, tons of placid lakes at our doorstep, and a world-class indoor facility. Our summers may not be very long, but they're spectacular!

The beautiful beaches you can swim at in Saint John include:

Dominion Park — West Saint John (Lifeguards on duty in summer months 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.)

Lily Lake/Fisher Lakes — Rockwood Park, Saint John City Center  (Lifeguards on duty in summer months 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Little River Reservoir — East Saint John  (Lifeguards on duty in summer months 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.)

Mispec Beach — East Saint John (unsupervised salt water beach)

Tucker Park — North  Saint John (unsupervised)

For indoor swimming, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre is located in the heart of Uptown Saint John and offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving boards, water slides, and much more.

Water and Sewage Rates

The key to reducing the effect of an emergency on your life is to think about their potential impact and what you can do to reduce it—before an emergency occurs.

In Saint John, the following types of emergencies are possible or even likely. Click each to learn how you can prepare for that specific event.

• Flood
• Strong winds
• Power outage
• Severe storm
• Storm surge
• Wildfire
• Contagious disease
• Hazardous material

Be prepared

Prepare yourself and your family to be self-sufficient for at least three full days (72 hours). 

For your home

• copy of your emergency plan
• water and food
• manual can opener
• wind-up or battery-powered flashlight
• wind-up or battery-powered radio
• extra batteries
• first aid kit
• extra house and car keys
• cash – small bills and change
• special items such as formula, pet food, prescriptions, medication, etc.

For your vehicle

• blanket
• extra seasonal clothes and footwear
• first aid kit and seatbelt cutter
• water and snacks (e.g., energy bars)
• wind-up or battery-powered flashlight
• wind-up or battery-powered radio
• extra batteries
• list of contact numbers
• small shovel, scraper, and brush
• warning lights or road flares
• tow rope and jumper cables
• sand or salt
• whistle

Make a plan

Before starting your home emergency plan, you will need to think about:

• safe exits from your home and neighbourhood
• designated person to pick up your children should you be unavailable
• contact persons close by and out of town
• health information and special health needs
• place for your pet to stay
• location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve, and floor drain

On behalf of the Chief City Engineer, Infrastructure Development administers municipal infrastructure and servicing requirements for sustainable development, and approves engineering drawings, municipal servicing plans, drainage systems, and utility installations.

Responsibilities of Infrastructure Development include:

• Advising on engineering standards necessary for reliable, effective, sustainable municipal infrastructure.
• Approval of the municipal engineering component of building permits, water and sewerage permits, street occupancy permits, and street excavation permits.
• Engineering input on development applications for municipal plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, section 39 conditions, subdivisions, and various use permits.
• Approval of new utility installations within the City of Saint John.
• Utility locates for municipal infrastructure as part of “Call Before You Dig”.
• Inspection services related to development and maintenance projects.
• Policy development, recommendations, and administration related to municipal infrastructure.
• Liaison with other levels of government, utility companies and others on infrastructure and engineering issues.

Before you begin work

• Permits and approvals must be obtained prior to working within a municipal right-of-way (City limits).
• Infrastructure locates must be obtained prior to any excavation.
• Inspections of municipal services are required prior to backfilling.
• All work within a municipal right-of-way must be in accordance with the City’s General Specifications and/or approved regulatory authorities.
• Directing stormwater to adjacent lands is prohibited.
• Consult the Excavation By-Law for more information.