Countdown to New Brunswick Municipal Elections

It’s shaping up to be one of the busiest municipal election seasons Canada has seen in years. In 2026, a majority of Canadians will head to the polls to choose a new generation of municipal leaders—councillors and mayors who will help shape their communities for the next four years.

That election season begins right here in New Brunswick.

On May 11th, the province will be the first in the country to head to the municipal polls, with nominations opening at the end of March. But this is no ordinary election.

For many communities, this will be the third municipal election in just over four years.

The last full general municipal election was held in 2021, when voters across the province elected mayors and councillors in every municipality. Less than two years later, following sweeping local government reform and amalgamation, the province reduced its municipal map to 50 municipalities and 12 rural districts. Voters were once again called back to the polls in 2022 to elect new councils—everywhere except Moncton, Saint John, and the capital, Fredericton.

Those newly elected councils officially took their seats on January 1st, 2023.

Now, three years later—after a period many have described as one of significant transition and growing pains—all 50 municipalities and 12 rural districts are once again preparing for an election. A chance to reset, renew, and decide who will lead local governments into the next four-year term.

But big questions remain.

Are municipalities ready for a third election in five years? Have the challenges of amalgamation been worked through? And is serving as an elected municipal official still as appealing as it once was?

To help us explore those questions and more, we’re honoured to welcome today’s guest: the President of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick and Mayor of Grand Bay–Westfield, Brittany Merrifield.

President Merrifield will guide us through what the months ahead hold for municipalities, reflect on the past five years of change, and share where local governments in New Brunswick are headed as the province enters another pivotal election season.

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©2026 **** CORRECTION: Please note that during the Municipal Affairs episode "Countdown to NB Municipal Elections," Chris mentioned during the opening, "Less than two years later, following sweeping local government reform and amalgamation, the province reduced its municipal map to 50 municipalities and 12 rural districts."

New Brunswick actually has 77 municipalities and 12 rural districts after the amalgamation reform. With only 50 municipalities going to the polls in 2022. We apologize for this confusion.