Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada 

A Connected Capital Building an Inclusive, Intelligent Future

Where Nature Meets Innovation 

Nestled along the scenic Wolastoq (Saint John River), Fredericton is New Brunswick’s  capital and the heart of the province’s Innovation Corridor. It’s a city that blends  heritage with high-tech — where walkable streets, vibrant culture, and world-class  research coexist. 

Fredericton may be small in size, but its impact is global. The city is home to 70% of the  province’s innovation businesses. Fredericton is Atlantic Canada’s Knowledge  Capital—where innovation, research, and talent come together in the Knowledge  Industry. Home to thousands of knowledge-based businesses, leading research  institutions, and a pipeline of skilled graduates, Fredericton drives growth across sectors  like healthcare, defence, and tech. With a uniquely collaborative ecosystem, this city  isn’t just keeping up—it’s shaping Canada’s future. 

Its unique mix of urban energy and small-town community has made it one of the most  livable and future-ready cities in Canada. 

“Being recognized as a Top7 Intelligent Community for the fourth time highlights  Fredericton’s commitment to innovation and strong partnerships.” 

— Sarah Corey Hollohan, CEO, Ignite 

Global Recognition 

Fredericton has earned international acclaim through the Intelligent Community Forum  (ICF) for more than 15 years: 

Top7 Intelligent Communities of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2022, 2024 

Smart21 Communities of the Year: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2020–2024

The city’s recognition reflects a sustained commitment to digital transformation,  inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability — principles embedded in its  governance, education, and innovation ecosystem. 

Connected by Design 

Fredericton was one of the first municipalities in Canada to own and operate its own  broadband network — GoFred, a municipally owned fiber-optic utility that delivers  affordable, high-speed connectivity across the city. 

Today, 95% of households and businesses have broadband access, empowering local  innovation and entrepreneurship. Through BOOST Fredericton, the city has become a  national living lab for civic innovation — testing smart-city technologies in areas like  mobility, open data, and public engagement 

An Educated, Agile Workforce 

Fredericton’s economy is built on knowledge and creativity. 

With the highest percentage of residents holding post-secondary degrees in New  Brunswick, the city’s people are its greatest asset. 

Anchored by the University of New Brunswick, Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick  Community College, and the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, Fredericton  fosters lifelong learning and practical innovation. 

Programs such as Future NB, Ignite’s Connector Program, and NBCC’s Jobs of Tomorrow connect education directly to opportunity 

Innovation in Motion 

Fredericton’s ecosystem thrives on collaboration between business, government, and  academia — a triple-helix model that fuels new industries and ideas. 

• Cyber Centre at Knowledge Park anchors the region’s cybersecurity cluster. • Planet Hatch, Ignite’s innovative co-working centre and entrepreneurial hub  supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups in all sectors to start, connect, and thrive.  Collectively, Ignite and Planet Hatch support more than 460 businesses and  startups per year on average! 
• Civic Tech Fredericton fosters open-source problem solving, while Climative, a  Fredericton-based AI climate analytics firm, exemplifies homegrown innovation  with global reach. 
• The BOOST “Booster” Early Adopter Program enables startups to pilot municipal  solutions in real-world settings.

Together, these initiatives have positioned Fredericton as a hub for clean tech, AI,  cybersecurity, and social innovation — making it a magnet for entrepreneurs and  researchers alike. 

Vision 2030 — Fredericton’s Strategy for the Future 

Guided by Vision 2030 and led by Ignite, the Capital Region’s economic development  organization, Fredericton is advancing a stronger, more connected, innovation-driven  economy. At its core, Vision 2030 recognizes that the Capital Region’s Knowledge  Economy—powered by research excellence, a highly educated workforce, and a  dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem—is the foundation for regional growth. By  harnessing the strengths of this ecosystem, Vision 2030 charts a path for Fredericton to  accelerate development in priority sectors: the Creative Sector, the Defence Sector,  and Natural Resources. 

The Creative Sector is poised for significant expansion as Fredericton leverages its deep  artistic roots and nationally recognized cultural assets, including the Beaverbrook Art  Gallery and the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design. Vision 2030 supports this  sector by strengthening the intersection of creativity and technology, fostering digital  production, design innovation, creative entrepreneurship, and cross-disciplinary  collaborations that enhance Fredericton’s identity as a cultural hub. 

The Defence Sector represents another major pillar of future growth. With proximity to  CFB Gagetown, leading cybersecurity research at the Cyber Centre, and strong  partnerships across industry and academia, Fredericton is positioned to become a  centre of excellence in defence and security innovation. Vision 2030 reinforces this  momentum by enabling applied research, cybersecurity commercialization, simulation  and modelling tools, and procurement pathways that help local companies expand  into national and international defence markets. 

In the Natural Resources and Clean Growth Sector, Vision 2030 aligns economic  development with environmental stewardship and climate resilience. Fredericton’s  climate-tech companies, research capacity, and access to forest and agricultural  assets create fertile ground for innovations in sustainable forestry, environmental  monitoring, agri-tech, renewable energy, and climate adaptation. This sector  represents a significant opportunity to advance clean growth initiatives that strengthen  both the regional economy and long-term resilience. 

Together, these priorities demonstrate how Vision 2030 uses the Knowledge Economy as  a catalyst — one that drives competitiveness across key sectors and positions  Fredericton as a forward-thinking, globally relevant capital city.

Digital Inclusion & Civic Engagement 

Fredericton’s smart city approach ensures no one is left behind. 

The Engage Fredericton platform invites residents to co-create civic policy and projects  online, while digital literacy programs and free Wi-Fi zones across public spaces help  bridge the digital divide 

Local partnerships with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), Multi-Cultural  Association, along with award-winning programs through Ignite such as the Economic  Empowerment Program for Immigrant Women and the Integration Success Program for  

International Students strengthen inclusion for Indigenous communities, newcomers,  and under-represented groups 

Sustainability as Strategy 

Fredericton’s Urban Forest Strategy, Environmental Dashboard, and Climate Action Plan all contribute to a greener, more resilient capital. Initiatives such as 12 Neighbours, a  sustainable housing and social enterprise community, showcase how technology and  compassion combine to create lasting change 

The city’s corporate climate plan remains on track to meet emission reduction targets,  emphasizing renewable energy, tree planting, waste reduction, and energy efficiency  across municipal operations.  

A City That Learns, Leads, and Listens 

Fredericton’s leadership model is collaborative — connecting citizens, innovators, and  institutions in shared progress. Each success builds a foundation of inclusion,  sustainability, and creativity — the cornerstones of an intelligent community. 

In Fredericton, Intelligence Is a Way of Life 

Fredericton isn’t just adapting to the future — it’s designing it through smart  infrastructure, inclusive leadership, and a culture of innovation, the city continues to  prove that intelligence is not just about technology — it’s about people working  together to make life better for all. 

Fredericton Fast Facts  

• Population: ~77,500 

 As of July 1, 2024, Fredericton’s population reached approximately 77,500,  including 4,500 residents from newly annexed areas—an overall increase of 3,121  people (+4.5%) from the previous year.

• Broadband Access: 99% coverage (100% for commercial districts) GoFred, the city-owned fibre utility, provides near-universal fibre connectivity  across the municipality, supporting 1-gigabit service zones and public Wi-Fi  corridors (City of Fredericton, 2024 BOOST update). 
• Innovation & R&D: 54% of New Brunswick’s total R&D activity generated within  the Fredericton Innovation Corridor 

Confirmed through Ignite and Knowledge Park ecosystem metrics (2024). • Post-Secondary Institutions: 3 universities and 2 colleges within city limits (University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, NB College of Craft & Design,  NB Community College Fredericton Campus, and Yorkville University’s satellite  campus). 

• Knowledge Workforce: Highest concentration of post-secondary-educated  residents in New Brunswick; median household income ~12% above provincial  average (Statistics Canada, 2024). 
• Programs Supporting Innovation: 10+, including BOOST, Civic Tech Fredericton,  Connector Program, and the MERGE municipal innovation initiative (Ignite 2025  portfolio). 
• Top Employment Sectors: Government & Public Administration | Education &  Research | Information Technology & Cybersecurity | Construction & Green  Building | Healthcare & Social Innovation 
• Livability Ranking: Among Canada’s Top 10 Best Small Cities (Resonance  Consultancy 2024) and #1 Most Livable City in Atlantic Canada (Globe & Mail  2023).