Moncton 
How much municipalities spend per resident can vary widely across New Brunswick, according to a new study released by the Fraser Institute.
The report, authored by Austin Thompson, a senior policy analyst at the think tank, examined inflation-adjusted revenue and spending per person in 10 major municipalities between 2015 and 2024.
In 2024, Saint John recorded the highest municipal spending per resident at $3,021, while Quispamsis had the lowest at $1,868.
Across all municipalities studied, the average expenditure reached $2,410 per person, while average revenue stood higher at $3,008 per person.
The study also tracked how spending changed over time. Five municipalities, Rothesay, Riverview, Edmundston, Quispamsis and Miramichi, saw spending increases that outpaced both inflation and population growth during the nine-year period. Rothesay recorded the largest increase at 6.6 per cent, followed by Riverview at 4.6 per cent.
The remaining municipalities, Fredericton, Bathurst, Moncton, Dieppe and Saint John, moved in the opposite direction, reporting declines in inflation-adjusted spending per person. Saint John saw the steepest drop at 19.8 per cent, although it still ranked highest in spending per resident in 2024.
Overall, spending per person across the municipalities decreased 7.1 per cent, falling from $2,594 in 2015 to $2,410 in 2024.
Revenue trends looked slightly different. Average inflation-adjusted revenue per person rose from $2,940 in 2015 to $3,008 in 2024, an increase of 2.3 per cent.
Among municipalities, Saint John also recorded the highest revenue per resident at $3,506, while Quispamsis had the lowest at $2,152.
Thompson said comparing municipal finances over time helps residents understand how local government decisions affect both taxation and the services delivered in their communities.
