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

The Saint John Fire Department has been operating since 1786.  Today, the department is responsible for servicing 126 square miles of the City.

Annual Statistics YTD (2024) as of October 31, 2024

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The department’s focus is on reducing loss of life, personal injury, property damage or impact on the environment through six primary services:

Fire Rescue and Suppression

The Fire Rescue and Suppression Service provides emergency mitigation and rescue response to residential, commercial, and industrial fires and/or explosions. Saint John's unique makeup of residential, old balloon frame housing stock, commercial properties, and heavy industry presents firefighters with unique response challenges—challenges our people are trained to meet. 

Technical Rescue

The Technical Rescue Service carries out emergency rescue operations to people trapped by their physical environment—typically due to water, ice, motor vehicle accident, structural collapse, confined space, or high angle. The Technical Rescue team uses specialized equipment and training, and adheres to the latest NFPA standards for technical rescue.

Fire Prevention and Investigation

The Fire Prevention Division promotes a proactive approach to fire and life safety through public education, training, inspections, and code enforcement. The Fire Investigation Service determines the cause and origin of structure or wildland fires. This assessment may form the basis of a criminal investigation by the Saint John Police, and could lead to changes in processes, or product recalls.

Medical First Response

First responders provide life-saving care to the citizens of Saint John in their time of need. Firefighters use the latest techniques and equipment to provide First Responder CPR/AED care when the Saint John Fire Department is first on the scene. The medical care model adapts to the needs of the community and has recently added Narcan administration to the scope of practice.

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Emergency Response

The HAZMAT team's goal is to protect people, property, and the environment from the consequences of hazardous materials releases. These team members are trained to operate highly-specialized metering and monitoring equipment, in the use of specialized chemical protective clothing, hazard-risk assessment, and decontamination. Due to its high level of HAZMAT response expertise, the SJFD provides hazardous materials response services to communities throughout the southern half of the province.

Grow the City. Serve the City. Be the Community of choice.

The City of Saint John has been providing front facing and support services to residents and businesses for more than two centuries. The current organization structure consists of six service areas, working together to plan and coordinate effective and efficient service delivery.

Growth and Community Services
Providing guidance, direction, and support for development by incorporating Council and community objectives for strategic growth. Initiatives that enhance the quality of life through housing, business investment, heritage and leisure to create a city where people want to live, work and invest.

Service delivery includes: One Stop Development Shop; building inspections; permitting; infrastructure development; community standards and compliance; heritage conservation, planning, growth and community service; arts and culture; and the Saint John City Market.

Transportation and Public Works
Supporting the community vision of a green, accessible city that offers opportunities for physical activity, and ease of transportation including public, active and roads.

Service delivery includes: leisure facilities such as parks and public spaces; roads and sidewalks; parking; solid waste; fleet; urban storm water; and, traffic. Saint John Transit delivers services through a commission. 

Strategic Services
By providing strategic insight, guidance, and expertise, this group enables the City to deliver quality public services in an innovative and sustainable way.

Service delivery includes: information technology; corporate performance; communications; government relations; insurance and claims; customer service, finance; and, procurement.

Corporate Services
Corporate Services is the point of contact between the city administration and Common Council. Ensuring the organization is meeting its required obligations and compliance through general counsel, human resources and the City Clerk.

Service delivery includes: City Clerk; human resources; general counsel; real estate; contract administration; and, records and information management.

Public Safety
Public safety protects citizens, property and the environment with a focus on creating safe neighbourhoods, essential to overall quality of life.

Service delivery includes: fire prevention; fire suppression; HAZMAT; and, Saint John Emergency Management Organization. The Saint John Police Force delivers services through a commission.

Utilities and Public Infrastructure
This area is responsible for all facilities, systems, and structures that are owned and operated by the municipality, in this case The City of Saint John. The Saint John Water Utility is committed to providing safe, clean drinking water; protecting the environment through wastewater management; and supporting industry through supply of industrial water.

Service delivery includes: Saint John Water Utility; Public infrastructure and support services such as engineering; climate change programs; GIS; facilities management and asset management. Saint John Energy is governed through a commission.