New Brunswick may be one of Canada’s smaller provinces by population, but it is home to some of the country’s most powerful business dynasties, particularly in retail, telecommunications, forestry, and investment. Its ultra-wealthy residents are deeply tied to Atlantic Canada’s growth and philanthropy.
Here are the Top 10 Richest People in New Brunswick in 2025, based on public records, business filings, and industry data.
1. James Irving & Family – $7.4 Billion
Source of Wealth: Forestry, Energy, Transportation (J.D. Irving Limited)
Residence: Saint John, NB
The Irving family is New Brunswick’s wealthiest and most influential. J.D. Irving Ltd. operates across sectors including forestry, shipbuilding, media, agriculture, and energy. James Irving heads the forestry and paper division, a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
2. Arthur Irving & Family – $6.2 Billion
Source of Wealth: Oil, Energy (Irving Oil Ltd.)
Residence: Saint John, NB
Arthur Irving oversees Irving Oil, including Canada’s largest oil refinery in Saint John. His division focuses on fuel, transportation, and retail energy, with continued expansion across North America and the Caribbean.
3. Kenneth Irving – $1.7 Billion
Source of Wealth: Energy, Oil Trading
Residence: Saint John, NB
Son of Arthur Irving, Kenneth previously served as CEO of Irving Oil and now manages personal and family energy investments, with ventures in clean energy and international fuel logistics.
4. Gerry Pond – $440 Million
Source of Wealth: Telecom, Tech Startups (NB Tel, East Valley Ventures)
Residence: Rothesay, NB
A telecom pioneer turned tech investor, Pond was president of NB Tel, later Bell Aliant. He now champions the Atlantic tech ecosystem through East Valley Ventures, backing firms like Radian6 and Q1 Labs, both acquired by U.S. giants.
5. John Risley (Nova Scotia-based with NB assets) – $1.5 Billion
Source of Wealth: Seafood, Investments (Clearwater Seafoods)
Presence in NB: Investment and processing plants in NB
While based in Nova Scotia, Risley’s extensive seafood and real estate operations in New Brunswick, particularly in supply chain and exports, make him an influential economic figure in the province.
6. Marc Belliveau – $380 Million
Source of Wealth: Real Estate, Commercial Development
Residence: Moncton, NB
Belliveau owns dozens of commercial buildings, shopping centers, and housing developments in southeastern New Brunswick, making him a quiet but powerful real estate magnate in the region.
7. Gilles Lanteigne – $310 Million
Source of Wealth: Healthcare Administration, Private Clinics
Residence: Bathurst, NB
Former CEO of Vitalité Health Network, Lanteigne has since built a portfolio of private health clinics and consulting services, with growing investments in telemedicine and cross-border healthcare infrastructure.
8. Judith Irving – $280 Million
Source of Wealth: Environmental Services, Family Assets
Residence: Saint John, NB
An advocate for sustainable forestry and conservation, Judith manages a large portion of the Irving family’s philanthropic and environmental holdings, including wildlife reserves and eco-tourism ventures.
9. Sean Dunbar – $250 Million
Source of Wealth: Craft Brewing, Hospitality (Picaroons)
Residence: Fredericton, NB
Founder of Picaroons Traditional Ales, Dunbar scaled his brewery into a national brand and has since expanded into craft beverage consulting, pubs, and real estate tied to cultural tourism.
10. R. Stephen Smith – $240 Million
Source of Wealth: Financial Services, Insurance (Assumption Life, Property Holdings)
Residence: Moncton, NB
Smith leads significant ventures in insurance, private investment, and Acadian business development. His influence extends into French-language education and cooperative finance across Atlantic Canada.
Summary Table
| Rank | Name | Net Worth (2025) | Source of Wealth | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Irving & Family | $7.4B | Forestry, Transport | Saint John |
| 2 | Arthur Irving & Family | $6.2B | Oil, Energy | Saint John |
| 3 | Kenneth Irving | $1.7B | Oil Investments | Saint John |
| 4 | Gerry Pond | $440M | Tech, Telecom | Rothesay |
| 5 | John Risley | $1.5B | Seafood, Real Estate | NS / NB Assets |
| 6 | Marc Belliveau | $380M | Real Estate | Moncton |
| 7 | Gilles Lanteigne | $310M | Healthcare | Bathurst |
| 8 | Judith Irving | $280M | Conservation, Family Wealth | Saint John |
| 9 | Sean Dunbar | $250M | Craft Beer, Tourism | Fredericton |
| 10 | R. Stephen Smith | $240M | Insurance, Finance | Moncton |
Final Thoughts
New Brunswick’s richest individuals reflect a powerful legacy of family empires, resource extraction, and innovation-driven economic development. From the Irving oil and forestry dynasties to tech pioneers and real estate developers, they represent the backbone of the province’s business community.
