Mayor Brittany Merrifield
Brittany Merrifield was first elected Mayor of Grand Bay-Westfield in 2021 and was acclaimed to a second term in 2026. A lifelong advocate for community building, collaboration, and public service, she has dedicated her leadership to ensuring Grand Bay-Westfield remains a vibrant, welcoming, and forward-looking community for residents of all ages.
As Mayor, Brittany has championed strategic growth, housing development, climate adaptation, infrastructure investment, community vitality, and organizational excellence. Under her leadership, the Town has secured significant funding to support housing and community development initiatives, advanced climate resilience planning, strengthened transparency and public engagement, expanded community programming, and fostered partnerships that support sustainable growth and economic development.
Beyond her municipal responsibilities, Brittany is recognized as one of New Brunswick’s leading voices in local government. She currently serves as President of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB), representing municipalities that collectively serve more than 84 percent of New Brunswickers. In this role, she advocates for municipalities on issues including fiscal reform, property tax and assessment reform, housing, infrastructure, climate adaptation, and local governance.
Brittany also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, where she contributes to national discussions on municipal finance, infrastructure, transportation, community safety, equity, and local government sustainability. In 2025, she was appointed to the Council of the Green Municipal Fund, helping guide one of Canada’s largest municipal sustainability funding programs.
Professionally, Brittany is the owner and lead photographer of Merrifield Photography, a business she founded in 2005. Through her work behind the lens, she has spent more than two decades telling the stories of families, businesses, organizations, and communities throughout New Brunswick. Her entrepreneurial background provides valuable perspective on economic development, small business challenges, and community growth.
A passionate believer in civic engagement, Brittany has been a strong advocate for increasing participation in local government, particularly among youth and underrepresented groups. She was instrumental in establishing the Grand Bay-Westfield Youth Council, creating new opportunities for young residents to develop leadership skills and contribute to community decision-making.
Brittany’s commitment to community service extends beyond government. She serves on the Board of Directors of Hestia House and has previously held leadership positions with numerous regional organizations focused on economic development, recreation, community wellness, and public policy. She is also a co-founder of See Jane Run, an initiative dedicated to encouraging and supporting women considering municipal office.
Throughout her career, Brittany has been guided by a belief that strong communities are built through collaboration, respect, and a willingness to tackle challenges together. Whether advocating for municipalities at the provincial and national levels, supporting local initiatives, or working directly with residents, she remains committed to creating opportunities that improve quality of life for current and future generations.
Brittany and her family proudly call Grand Bay-Westfield home. She considers it a privilege to serve the community she loves and is continually inspired by the people, natural beauty, and strong sense of belonging that make Grand Bay-Westfield such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
