Comparing Health Determinants New Brunswick vs. Ontario
- cdekleva1
- Feb 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 30
To provide some context about the differences it's important to understand what we're comparing. New Brunswick is a province situated on the Atlantic Coast of Canada and in the 2024 census it had a population of 854,355 (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2024c). In comparison, Ontario has a population of 16,124,116 for the same time frame (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2024c). That means we over here in flannel and maple syrup country are about 5% of the population of Ontario. The largest city of Moncton had a population of 188,036 in these estimates while the largest city in Canada happens to be in Ontario and has a population of 7,106,379 (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2025a).
What I can see on the stats can info is that Ontario's land mass is 892,411.763km2 or 15.939 people per km2 and New Brunswick’s is 71,248.498km2 or 10.886 people per km2 (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2025). This is quite interesting to me because when you scan across Canada these two provinces have number two and three respectively when it comes to population density (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2025).
Looking at the median incomes in another stats Canada table you can see that the median income range for “persons not in census families” to “couple families” ranged from $31,780 to $96,180 in 2022. In that same time period, the numbers for Ontario are $34,800 to $111,120 (Government of Canada, Statistics Canada, 2024a).
It would take me longer than this blog post to sort this out for you, and I could speculate on many things, but the conclusion I’m drawing from this is that provinces focus on the determinants of health that matter most to their populations. If the province is more population dense, maybe it’s easier to provide services with less resources. If there is less population density and everything provided involves thinking virtual care or something other than the population dense areas provide it changes things.
The beauty and uniqueness of Canada and of any country is that no two parts are the same. We all do things based on who we are and where we are situated. In New Brunswick if I explored further, I would be able to tell you that this area relied and relies heavily on natural resources and industry for income. It’s no surprise that one of the most prominent businesses in the country, J.D. Irving Ltd., is from New Brunswick when you take this into account. When things like mining and the wood industry change because of things like climate change concerns, move toward electricity or the price of doing business in the province compared to others, businesses close down and leave. This means less jobs for people-especially in those more rural areas. It also means less tax base because these companies have taken their large contributions to the economy and moved on. It’s a domino effect and a cycle of needing economic development to have a prosperous community yet wanting to protect the province and invest in more sustainable and population health based ideals.
Like I said, I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Ontario and New Brunswick are different because they have to be to survive. It's a testament to how the determinants of health ebb and flow and to truly understanding that where people live greatly impacts their lives (NCCDH, 2024).
Divergence between New Brunswick and Ontario
Regional differences in prioritizing determinants of health | New Brunswick: NB’s focuses on aging populations, rural healthcare access, poverty, and employment.
Attention is given to social determinants such as income inequality, education and housing alongside reducing health disparities in rural communities. | Ontario: ON prioritizes determinants such as access to healthcare, education, economic stability, environmental factors, and social inclusion.
The province’s diverse demographic means there are also specific focuses on reducing inequities related to race, income, and disability. |
Health inequalities | NB’s health inequalities stem from rural-urban divides, with urban centers like Fredericton and Moncton having better healthcare access compared to more remote areas. The provinces aging population faces challenges such as social isolation and chronic disease management while indigenous populations experience significant disparities in access and health outcomes. | ON copes with health inequalities particularly between urban and rural regions, as well as among different ethnic, income, and educational groups. There is significant attention on addressing the health gap among Indigenous peoples, racial minorities, and lower-income groups in urban centers like Toronto. |
Core principles | NB’s health system is built on universal coverage and accessibility, stressing the development of primary healthcare in underserved regions. The province is shifting toward more integrated care models, particularly for chronic disease management and mental health services. | The core principles of ON’s health system are accessibility, affordability, universal coverage, and evidence-based care. ON has a well-established public health infrastructure and universal healthcare system through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). |
Mental health | Mental health services in NB are primarily centered in urban areas such as Fredericton and Moncton, leaving rural regions with limited access to care. Despite this, the province has made mental health and addictions a key focus in its health strategy, with efforts to enhance service delivery through telemedicine and community-based outreach programs. | ON has a strong mental health strategy, including the Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, which aims to improve access to mental health services and integrate mental health care with other areas of the healthcare system. There is a growing focus on early intervention, prevention, and community-based care. |
Education | Education in NB is a key priority, particularly given its bilingual population and the specific challenges faced by rural schools. Education and literacy initiatives are closely tied to enhancing social determinants of health, with ongoing efforts to bridge educational gaps in Indigenous communities. | Education in ON is a key determinant of health, and the province has a well-developed education system with a focus on public health education, health promotion in schools, and mental health programs. Ontario also provides early childhood education as a significant investment in child development. |
Housing | Housing in NB is generally more affordable than in Ontario, though rural and remote areas often face housing instability due to economic difficulties. The provincial government has prioritized affordable housing and homelessness initiatives, particularly in urban centers, while also addressing housing needs in Indigenous communities on reserves. | Housing in ON is a significant issue, especially in major urban centers where affordability and homelessness are growing concerns. Ontario’s government has initiatives to improve affordable housing and integrate it with social services for low-income groups and marginalized populations. |
Indigenous health | Indigenous health in NB is influenced by the province's Indigenous communities. These communities face considerable health challenges, such as restricted access to healthcare, elevated rates of chronic illnesses, and mental health inequities. While the government has partnered with Indigenous communities to enhance care delivery, significant gaps in health outcomes and service provision continue to exist. | ON has several initiatives aimed at improving Indigenous health. This includes the Ontario Indigenous Health Strategy, which focuses on closing health gaps through culturally competent care, improving access to services, and addressing the social determinants of health unique to Indigenous communities. |
Documents that Guide Health Policy | NB’s health policy is basically guided by documents like the New Brunswick Health Plan and the Healthy New Brunswick Framework, which includes public health strategies aimed at addressing social determinants of health, improving healthcare delivery, and strengthening community-based care. | ON’s health policies are shaped by a number of key documents, including the Ontario Public Health Standards, the Ontario Health Strategic Plan, and the Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. Ontario also has regional health authorities that help align services with the unique needs of their respective populations. |
Conclusion | NB has a stronger focus on rural and remote health needs, with particular attention to aging populations and primary healthcare access in rural communities. Indigenous health and social inequality issues are also a priority, though they may be addressed differently due to the province’s smaller and less urbanized nature. | ON has a more diverse and urban-centric focus, with a strong emphasis on multicultural health, urban-rural disparities, and specialized services for chronic conditions and mental health. It tends to focus more on the integration of various health services, leveraging urban infrastructure for comprehensive care. |
References
Department of Health. (2016). Health Inequities: A Report from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from
Department of Health. (2021). Understanding climate change and health implications: A
background report to New Brunswick’s Climate Change and Health Vulnerability &
Adaptation Assessment project.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2024a, June 27). Distribution of total income by
census family type and age of older partner, parent or individual.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2024c, September 25). Population estimates on
July 1, by age and gender. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710000501&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.1&pickMembers%5B1%5D=2.1&cubeTimeFrame.startYear=2020&cubeTimeFrame.endYear=2024&referencePeriods=20200101%2C20240101
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2024, September 25). Demographic estimates
by age and gender, provinces and territories: Interactive dashboard.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2025a, January 16). Population estimates, July 1,
by census metropolitan area and census agglomeration, 2021 boundaries.
Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2025, February 23). Geography - Find
information by region or area. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/geo?geotext=Ontario%20%5BProvince%5D&geocode=A000235
NCCDH. (2024). Let's talk: Determinants of Health.
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