THE BEAUTIFUL SEAPORT CITY of Saint John on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick , is the oldest incorporated city in Canada , established in 1785 . However , while the city initially built its economy from maritime industries such as shipping , fishing and shipbuilding , as those industries changed Saint John has adopted a new economic strategy . This includes embracing tourism ; hosting over 1.5m visitors a year who have created a renaissance in the city ' s historic Downtown ( ironically known locally as ‘ Uptown !’). Spurred by the growth , large scale waterfront developments are underway , such as the Fundy Quay , Saint John Law Courts , and the Three Sisters

Harbourfront condos and the ongoing $ 200m modernisation project at Port Saint John is designed to deal with dramatic increases in cruise ship arrivals .

The arts and culture sector also plays a large role in Saint John ' s economy . The Imperial Theatre is home to the highly acclaimed Saint John Theatre Company , and the Symphony New Brunswick and hosts a large number of stage productions year-round . Harbour Station entertainment complex is home to the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL and the Saint John Riptide of the NBL . Art galleries in Saint John cover the Uptown and like Miller Brittain and Fred Ross have made the area their own . The Saint John Arts Centre ( SJAC )

Above : Port Saint John is undergoing a $ 200m modernisation project

in the Carnegie Building hosts art exhibits , workshops , local songwriters ' circles and other shows too small to be featured at the grand Imperial Theatre .

Traditional businesses still sit comfortably alongside new ones . Traditional fisheries ( lobster , scallops etc .) still make up the livelihood for many Saint Johners today – there are 800 commercial fishing licence holders - although aquaculture , primarily Atlantic Salmon farming , has grown to be a major employer in the region . Annually nearly 13,000 tonnes of marine plants are harvested in Southern New Brunswick , making the region the largest supplier in Atlantic Canada .

Saint John maintains industrial

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