Loading...
It would take about 10 hours to drive the 1,011 km between Miramichi and Ottawa. By air, the distance is 850 km.
This large, rural riding runs from the centre of New Brunswick to Miramichi Bay on the east coast.
The Miramichi River flows through the riding and drains into the Miramichi Bay in the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence. It is Canada’s most famous salmon river and has been the historical mode of transportation in the riding. The river can also be crossed by ferry or by taking one of several bridges, including the Centennial Bridge.
This riding has a large population of francophones. There is also a large Irish population, as many settled here during the first half of the 1800s.
About 2% of the riding’s population are immigrants.
Approximately 10.5% of the riding’s population identify as Aboriginal.
Average individual income is $34,497, one of the lower incomes in Canada. Due to seasonal industries, the unemployment rate is high.
Tourists and New Brunswick citizens alike flock to the Miramichi River to fly fish for Atlantic salmon. The river also allows for boat cruises, river tubing, and family activities at the Ritchie Wharf Park.
The Miramichi is known for its many festivals. These include The Rock and Roll Festival, The Irish Festival, The Blue Grass Festival, several Pow-Wows, The Acadian Days, The Scottish Festival and Folksong Festival.
The riding is named for the city of Miramichi and the Miramichi River, along with Grand Lake, which as the name suggests, is New Brunswick’s largest lake. Miramichi means “country of the Micmac” in Montagnais.
Located on the Miramichi River is Middle Island. Irish immigrants were quarantined here while crossing the Atlantic to escape the potato famine.
Historically, shipbuilding, fisheries, forestry, mining, and farming have been the pillars of the local economy. While the riding has diversified in recent years into other sectors such as government, health care, and manufacturing, fisheries and forestry remain integral.
Since the ban on commercial fishing for Atlantic salmon, lobster fishing has become a profitable industry.
The Miramichi River has seen a decline in Atlantic salmon in recent years. This can be attributed to several factors including climate change, overfishing, pollution, and forestry practices such as clear cutting and use of herbicides.
The River Watch / Air Watch program is run by the Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee. The program encourages residents to phone in their environmental concerns.
The American Revolution saw many Mi’kmaq and Maliseet peoples support the desire for independence from the British. Many Indigenous people were imprisoned in the Miramichi area following a 1779 skirmish, but later freed upon signing an Oath of Allegiance to the British Crown. Many Scots and Loyalists settled this area after the American Revolution began, in 1765.
Indigenous communities in this riding include:
North Shore Micmac District Council Esgenoopetitj First Nation Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq First Nation Elsipogtog First Nation Eel Ground
