St Leonard, NB, Town, pop 1385 (2001c), 1450 (1996c), 977 (1991c), area 5.20 km2, inc 1920, is a predominantly French-speaking community, that was named in honour of an early settler, Léonard Coombes. In the late 18th century, Acadians settled this area along the SAINT JOHN RIVER, midway between Grand Falls and Edmundston, but it was not until near the mid-19th century that a large number of settlers arrived.
Agriculture was supplemented by forestry, but in recent years farming has greatly diminished. J.D. Irving Ltd operates a softwood sawmill in St Leonard and a hardwood mill a few kilometres northwest of the town at Veneer, an informally named site. Additional employment is found at the pulp mill in EDMUNDSTON and the food-processing plant in GRAND FALLS. The Madawaska Weavers produce their well-known textiles here in both a central location and as a cottage industry. The town is a border crossing point directly across the river from Van Buren, Maine, and is the site of a regional airport.