City of Miramichi Strategic
Priorities 2026
MESSAGE FROM MAYOR
On behalf of Council, I am pleased to submit our 2026 Strategic Priorities. These priorities represent the key focus areas for council for the coming year.
The priorities remain aligned with our strategic vision and mission and are designed to address community challenges, take advantage of opportunities and ensure we are continuing to move Miramichi forward.
These priorities strive to achieve a balanced approach to investment and support of the many worthwhile groups, organizations and initiatives that all work together to keep moving Miramichi forward.
ADAM LORDON
VISION
The City of Miramichi will be a healthy, progressive, diverse and economically vibrant community that invests in its future in a financially sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.
Economically Vibrant
We will pursue a broad base of industry, business and services to help ensure stability and growth for our community in varying economic times and to ensure a prosperous future. Wherever possible we will apply an economic development lens to assist us in growth.
Healthy
We will foster a community that is safe for its citizens. We will provide facilities, programs and opportunities to enhance the well-being of our citizens. We will strive for accessibility in everything we do.
Progressive
Our city and its leaders will be forward thinking in approach and actions. We will look toward the future and plan for meeting the needs of our citizens by taking an entrepreneurial approach to investment and creation of opportunities to pursue our vision.
Diverse
We will embrace the multi-cultural make up of our community. We will welcome visitors and celebrate the artistic beauty of our varied cultures –especially indigenous communities. We will ensure that citizens and visitors will have opportunities to experience our heritage and cultural diversity.
Investing in the Future
We will invest in our infrastructure and public spaces to ensure it meets our current needs and provide for future growth.
Financially sustainable
We will develop infrastructure, facilities, programs and services that are financially responsible, beneficial and sustainable over the long-term considering all related costs.
Environmentally responsible
We will be stewards of our environment to ensure that our city will be an attractive and healthy place to live and visit. Our activities, both industrially and recreationally, will respect the environment.
We are committed to excellence and openness in local government by ensuring accessible and responsive representation, providing innovative and efficient services in support of our community’s vision. We are committed to creating conditions for growth and opportunity and to celebrate our past while keeping our focus on an inclusive and prosperous future for all.
Excellence
We will strive to implement the best methods and techniques to the management of the municipal corporation, delivering municipal services that employ best practices.
Openness
We will ensure that governance of the city is undertaken in an open and transparent manner to enable the public to have full access to the workings of their local government.
Accessible
We will ensure Council and City departments are accessible by the public in order to obtain information and receive assistance and guidance.
Responsive
We will respond to the needs of the community in a proactive fashion, anticipating needs and developing solutions, ensuring ongoing citizen engagement.
Innovative and efficient
We will use new technologies and best practices in the delivery of services in order to achieve a high degree of efficiency and obtain the maximum benefit for the least cost.
VALUES
These are the values that will guide us in achieving our goals:
Diversity
- Welcome and celebrate all languages, cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, sexual orientation and abilities
- Reconcile with indigenous communities
Leadership
- Accountable
- Accessible
- Open
- Respectful
- Transparent
Sustainability
- Protect our environment
- Plan and invest in our Infrastructure
Engagement
- Improve communication
- Fulfil our role as a Regional Hub
Responsibility
- Good fiscal management
- Good governance
A ROLE FOR EVERYONE
City Council
City Council will participate in making decisions to further the priorities laid out in the Strategic Plan to support the well-being and interest of the City of Miramichi. They will ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council regarding the Strategic Plan. In doing so, Council will ensure that the city is well positioned to deliver on Miramichi’s Strategic Plan.
City Staff
City staff will lead the implementation and reporting of actions to support the Strategic Plan and champion its success. They will integrate the Plan into corporate and service area plans, and ingrain the vision, mission and values into the organization’s culture.
Community
The community will work with the city, where appropriate, on initiatives that move Miramichi forward. The community will hold the city accountable for delivering on its Strategic Plan, being transparent and engaging with them.
OVERARCHING STRATEGIC GOALS
an inclusive regional hub Improve communications Renew our public spaces and infrastructure
Be a conduit for opportunity
Improve governance and performance
These priorities are built on five strategic pillars designed to work together to improve the quality of life, create new opportunities, improve infrastructure and community health, improve municipal engagement and governance, grow our economy, protect our environment and showcase all the benefits Miramichi has to offer.
The pillars are:
Growing Miramichi
Supporting Miramichi
Building Miramichi
Sustaining Miramichi
Working Together for Miramichi
The City of Miramichi is committed to
GOAL STATEMENTS
Growing Miramichi
Supporting Miramichi
Building Miramichi
Miramichi is open for business. As the economic hub of our region, we are committed to supporting business growth, business investment and workforce attraction. We are a four-season destination where visitors and residents enjoy our parks, trails and distinctive amenities –especially our amazing river. We are the city of festivals, the bass fishing capital of Atlantic Canada and the centre for outdoor adventures in the Maritimes.
Miramichi is committed to providing citizens with a high-quality of life including access to affordable housing, an active living lifestyle and a commitment to the health, well-being and safety of all its citizens.
Miramichi is committed to the continued development and renewal of our key public infrastructure as well as the continued support of new development that supports our vision and mission for the city and its citizens.
Sustaining Miramichi
Working together for Miramichi
Miramichi is committed to be a leader in environmental practices and a community that is strongly committed to protecting the environment. Our “environment” refers to all of the natural surroundings and resources that we depend on to survive: fresh air, clean water and protected natural lands. These resources play a vital role in our community and our lives by supporting the quality of life that we value and enjoy.
Miramichi is committed to being a transparent, accessible and responsive city where citizens can be confident about the services they receive. We are an effective, fiscally responsible and trusted local government with engaged, skilled and collaborative employees.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
These are the key action items that will be pursued to achieve our strategic goals.
GROWING MIRAMICHI
Action
GM-01
GROWING MIRAMICHI
(TOP PRIORITY) Council will direct staff to finalize the City of Miramichi municipal growth plan and begin implementation immediately. The growth plan will identify strategic planning for growth opportunities (both commercial and residential) and other initiatives required to support continued growth for our community
GM-02 (TOP PRIORITY) Council will direct staff to finalize the City of Miramichi Economic Development Strategy to refocus priority areas with consideration for areas that have become part of the regional economic development initiatives through the regional service commission. Priority areas must include investment attraction, housing, City of Festivals. A review of the City’s role in Tourism should be included The strategy must also include an assessment of current staffing levels to ensure there is no redundancy following a shift of some priorities to the regional service commission
GM-03 (TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will continue to support workforce attraction to our city. This includes supporting the Regional Workforce Development Strategy through the Regional Service Commission.
GM-04 (TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will continue to support housing development to support community growth and workforce attraction
GM-05 (TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will continue to support the development of affordable housing
GM-06 (TOP PRIORITY) As the City of Miramichi is committed to continuing to be the City of Festivals in New Brunswick, we will direct staff to conduct a full assessment of all current festivals to identify opportunities and challenges. The City is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of all viable festivals – both current and future.
GM-07
GM-08
The City of Miramichi will continue to support the attraction and development of business in our downtowns and across the City This could include the leasing of public space for seasonal business opportunities and the continued investment and beautification of downtowns infrastructure, the support of viable and committed partners and the support of community volunteers committed to growing our downtowns.
The City of Miramichi will work with the BIAs to continue supporting the Downtowns and support the identification of initiatives that offer access and opportunities for our business communities and all citizens.
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
GM-09
GM-10
The City of Miramichi will continue to collaborate and support the RSC’s integration of the Regional Tourism mandate with a focus on eliminating overlap and duplication. The City will also support local business organizations committed to developing new, sustainable tourism opportunities.
GM-11
Economic Development and Tourism
The City of Miramichi will continue to support initiatives that build on our designation as an Age Friendly Community and continue to support initiatives designed for our seniors population Recreation Department
The City of Miramichi will support our educational institutions towards the identification of opportunities in workforce attraction, green energy solutions, and opportunity business sectors to drive new educational programming offered within our community.
Economic Development and Tourism
SUPPORTING MIRAMICHI
SUP - 1
(TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will continue to prioritize public safety as a key priority.
SUP -2 (TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will complete the construction of the multiplex and transition to operating the facility. Special attention needs to be given to developing a new Joint User Agreement with the province and new agreements with major tenants. Recreation Department
SUP-3 The City of Miramichi will continue to prioritize food security and affordable housing. This includes supporting initiatives at the Regional Service Commission Housing Authority
SUP-3 The City of Miramichi will continue to support the development of sustainable, affordable and accessible recreation facilities and active transportation initiatives and activities including those proposed within the Active Transportation Plan
SUP-4 The City of Miramichi will continue to support non-profits and private sector developers who bring forward plans to address housing and food security issues including helping to lobby the provincial government for funding support.
Department
Economic Development and Tourism/ Mayor and Council
SUP-5 The City of Miramichi will continue to provide a leadership role in coordinating the regional response to homelessness through our involvement on the Regional Service Commission. Chief Administrative Officer
SUP-6 The City of Miramichi will direct the Fire Department to proceed with implementation of its opertional review recommendations
Department
BUILDING MIRAMICHI
Action
BM-01
BM-02
(TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will continue to plan and develop sustainable municipal infrastructure through a commitment to the principals of asset management and multi-year budgeting.
Asset Management Committee
BM-03
(TOP PRIORITY) Based on the completed growth plan, the City of Miramichi will plan for strategic extensions of existing water and sewerage systems while upgrading existing systems as necessary.
(TOP PRIORITY) The City Miramichi will finalize a decision on the replacement of the Chatham Library. Options to be examined include construction or long-term leasing of a dedicated library space .
Engineering and Public Works Department
Finance/ Public Works/ Engineering
SM-01
SM-02
SUSTAINING MIRAMICHI
SM-03
The City of Miramichi remains committed to implementing its climate change adaptation plan and will continue to provide updates as progress continues Public Works and all departments
The City of Miramichi will continue to work with the RSC to educate the public on key environmental issues such as environmental awareness, recycling, composting, carpooling, green energy and climate change Communications
The City will continue to encourage environmental stewardship where possible within and across the City including common sense measures where resources allow.
Economic Development and Tourism and Recreation Departments
WT-01
WT-02
WT-03
WORKING TOGETHER FOR MIRAMICHI
WT-04
(TOP PRIORITY) These priorities are to provide direction for the next year. Following the election of a new council in May of 2026, the City of Miramichi will immediately take steps to develop a new 4-year strategic plan Council/CAO
(TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi will conduct an analysis of the City’s Transit System and will work with the Miramichi Transit Commission to ensure the continued accessibility of public transit for all citizens
(TOP PRIORITY) The City of Miramichi shall take steps to improve collaboration with local groups and organizations like the BIAs, RSC, Chamber of Commerce, Neighbouring Communities etc. to ensure we are able to effectively and efficiently move forward with common goals and opportunities
The City of Miramichi will support the Miramichi Airport Commissions current strategy and will collaborate effectively towards the pursuit of common goals.
Economic Development and Tourism
WT-05
The City of Miramichi will take steps to ensure excellent customer service by all staff and all departments. Special focus will be given to developing a customer service training program for all staff of the new multiplex
Economic Development and Tourism
The City of Miramichi will direct staff to continue working on the implementation of approved department plans with regular reporting on progress CAO/ALL WT-06
WT-07
Council will support feasible and strategic recommendations designed to improve workplace culture and moral