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administration

As Canada's oldest incorporated city and New Brunswick's largest municipality, the City of Saint John has been providing municipal services to local citizens for more than two centuries. Operating under a "City Manager form of government", the Corporation offers a wide range of services, as determined and directed by an elected Mayor and Council.

The Mayor and Council have the benefit of receiving independent professional advice from the City Manager on policy issues, from the City Solicitor on legal issues, and from the Commissioner of Finance on financial issues.  This separate reporting relationship of each of these three positions, along with that of the Common Clerk, is rather unique in a Canadian setting. However, it does ensure that elected officials receive the best advice possible.

The mission of every City employee is
"to serve our city with pride, to provide our citizens with quality service, and to contribute to the overall economic and social well-being of Saint John".

City Manager

Reporting directly to the Common Council, the City Manager oversees the various City departments and divisions as they serve the needs of the citizens of the City of Saint John. Within this area are the Deputy City Manager, and Deputy City Manager, Programs and Priorities.  The Deputy City Manager is responsible for policy and operational matters. The Deputy City Manager-Programs and Priorities, a new position in 2006, is tasked with leading a multi-year transformation program focused on sustainable growth for the community and organizational efficiency and effectiveness of municipal service delivery.

City Solicitor's Office

The City Solicitor's Office manages the legal affairs of the corporation of the City of Saint John, providing legal advice to Common Council and to the administration, in addition to representing the City in legal proceedings.  It comprises the City Solicitor and three other lawyers together with one legal assistant.

Common Clerk's Office

The Common Clerk's Office is managed by the Common Clerk, Assistant Common Clerk and a support staff of two.  The office is responsible for:

  1. recording and preserving the legislative history of the City;
  2. providing support services to Common Council, a variety of committees, and the administration;
  3. receiving requests for appearances before Common Council, Council Agenda items, and for grants and financial assistance by the City of Saint John;
  4. maintaining the corporation's primary source records; and
  5. providing information services for the City's official records.

Many requests are received through the Common Clerk's office for historic information.  Management of these records is under the direction of the Corporate Records Manager.

Corporate Communications works under the office of the Common Clerk, managing internal and external communications, community relations, corporate advertising and assisting with special events.