Moncton
Moncton is one of the largest cities in New Brunswick and a major economic and transportation hub in Atlantic Canada. Known as the “Hub City,” it is recognized for its bilingual character, resilient economy, and central geographic location in the Maritimes.
Quick Facts
- Province: New Brunswick
- Population: Over 85,000 (metro area: ~165,000)
- Official Languages: English and French (officially bilingual)
- Time Zone: Atlantic Time Zone (AT)
- Demonym: Monctonian
History
Moncton was originally settled by the Mi’kmaq people and later by Acadians. After the Acadian Expulsion in the 1700s, the area was resettled by Pennsylvania Germans and other Loyalists.
In the 19th century, Moncton became a key railway centre and later transformed into a hub for transportation and commerce, earning its “Hub City” nickname.
Economy
Moncton has one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, based on:
- Transportation and logistics
- Retail and service industries
- Finance and insurance
- Call centres and business process outsourcing
- Healthcare and education
- Technology and IT services
Major Attractions
- Magnetic Hill – optical illusion where cars appear to roll uphill
- Magnetic Hill Zoo – largest zoo in Atlantic Canada
- Resurgo Place – museum and discovery centre
- Avenir Centre – multi-purpose arena
- Centennial Park
- Tidal Bore – natural phenomenon on the Petitcodiac River
Education
- Université de Moncton – largest French-language university in Atlantic Canada
- Crandall University
- Oulton College
- New Brunswick Community College (NBCC Moncton)
Neighborhoods
- Downtown Moncton
- Sunny Brae
- Lewisville
- Moncton North
- New West End
Culture and Events
Moncton is known for its strong Acadian and Francophone roots. Key festivals include:
- Frye Festival – Canada’s only bilingual literary festival
- Festival Inspire – large-scale mural and street art festival
- Atlantic Seafood Festival
- Acadian Day celebrations
Transportation
Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) serves the region. Moncton is a key rail and highway hub for Atlantic Canada. Codiac Transpo operates public buses.
Did You Know?
- Moncton was named one of the most business-friendly cities in Canada by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
- The city lost and later regained its economic footing, making it a symbol of urban resilience.
- The Magnetic Hill optical illusion is one of the most visited natural curiosities in Canada.