2024 Order of New Brunswick recipients 

The award honours current or former long-time residents of New Brunswick who have demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field, having made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or economic well-being of New Brunswick and its residents.

Kassim Doumbia, mayor of Shippagan, is well known in his local community, throughout the Acadian Peninsula and across New Brunswick for his way with people, jovial personality, sense of leadership and, above all, his outstanding contribution as an ambassador through his continued efforts to promote economic, social and community development in his region.

Born in Ivory Coast and raised in Senegal, Mr. Doumbia came to New Brunswick to pursue studies at the Université de Moncton. After moving to the Acadian Peninsula in 2007, he was soon making his mark in multiple sectors, most notably politics. In 2010, he took on the role of political aide for the campaign of Paul Robichaud, who was subsequently appointed a provincial cabinet minister and then deputy premier. Following his election as a municipal councillor in 2012, deputy mayor in 2016 and mayor in 2021, Mr. Doumbia quickly found himself serving as an inspiration for newcomers and all New Brunswickers and a role model for integration.

Soon after arriving in New Brunswick, Mr. Doumbia earned a reputation as a person of integrity who listens to people, including through his volunteer work with various community organizations. He has served as a member of the board of governors of the Université de Moncton, vice-president of the Société nationale de l’Acadie and co-founder – and, for nine years, chair – of the Comité d’accueil, d’intégration et d’établissement des nouveaux arrivants de la Péninsule acadienne. He was a New Brunswick youth delegate at the 12th Francophonie Summit in Quebec City, the 14th Francophonie Summit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the World Forum for the French Language in Liège, Belgium.

In addition to his role as mayor, he is currently president of the Acadian Peninsula Regional Service Commission and first vice-president of the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick.

His meteoric rise since coming to the province 24 years ago earned him recognition as one of 21 Inc.’s top 50 Atlantic Canadian leaders under 40.

Kassim Doumbia is awarded the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his promotion of the inclusion of immigrants, his volunteer activities, his dedication to economic growth and cultural and community vitality, and his efforts to increase community engagement among youth.

A staunch advocate, feminist and seasoned lobbyist, Carmen Gibbs is a woman of great compassion with an unwavering belief in social justice and equality. She has steadfastly dedicated her life to helping to build a more equitable society by striving to uphold the linguistic rights of our province’s Acadians, overcome poverty, protect the rights of women and artists, and improve access to decent housing and childcare.

In her role as executive director of the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick since March 2001, she has made major contributions to the province’s cultural and non-profit sector. She organized the États généraux des arts et de la culture (Summit on Arts and Culture) in 2004 and 2009 and co-ordinated the implementation of A Global Strategy for the Integration of Arts and Culture into Acadian Society in New Brunswick, one of Acadie’s largest societal projects. This led to her appointment as co-chair of a standing committee of the province’s leading stakeholders under the auspices of an Acadian and francophone educational project titled the Table de concertation éducation, arts et culture (issue table on education, arts and culture).

Through her leadership, rigorous intellectual approach and talent for bringing the right people together, Ms. Gibbs was at the forefront of the 2013 Forum on the Professional Status of Artists in Shippagan, during which Acadian, anglophone and First Nations arts communities discussed solutions for improving the status and socio-economic conditions of artists in the province. She also played a key part in shaping the development and adoption of the New Brunswick cultural policy and book policy, as well as in the advancement of arts and culture in the Canadian Francophonie by, among other roles, serving on the board of the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française and the programming advisory committee of TV5 Unis.

As a person who always keeps artist visibility top of mind, she was selected to produce Les Éloizes, a biannual cultural event celebrating the achievements of artists of la Grande Acadie – the greater Acadian community.

Carmen Gibbs is awarded the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of her deep sense of commitment and exceptional accomplishments, her collaborative spirit and her profound desire to equip community organizations across New Brunswick to work toward building a more open, vibrant and just society.

Robert K. Irving is a respected business leader, community supporter, philanthropist and co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Ltd. He has been an active promoter, speaker and contributor to regional economic development initiatives for many years.

After graduating with a business degree from Acadia University, Mr. Irving began working in the company’s Moncton operations in 1977. Over the years he has successfully established and grown businesses in various sectors, including consumer products, food processing, agriculture and transportation. A strong supporter of the Moncton business community, Mr. Irving has advised on numerous economic development initiatives and was the founding chair of the regional economic leadership council for 3plus Economic Development Corporation, a role he held for many years.

Mr. Irving has led charitable fundraising campaigns supporting a variety of causes, including youth, health care, social welfare, recreational sports, community service clubs and the performing arts. As well, he chaired the Capitol Theatre’s Encore, Spotlight on the Future campaign, co-chaired Holland College’s Learning for Life capital campaign, and chaired numerous capital campaigns for the Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation, helping raise more than $20 million.

His businesses have made generous donations to community groups, notably the YW Jean E.S Irving Centre for Women and Children, Moncton Headstart and the Atlantic Wellness Centre. J.D. Irving’s Moncton businesses are major donors to the Food Depot Alimentaire, supporting the delivery of food products while raising and contributing over $1 million to address food insecurity in the province.

Always a strong believer in the importance of youth, education and literacy, Mr. Irving actively supports the Moncton Boys and Girls Club and the Partners Assisting Local Schools (PALS) program in southeastern New Brunswick. In 1996 he established the Moncton Wildcats Hockey Club and an educational and personal development program for young hockey players.

His companies award numerous scholarships annually and recruit domestic and international students from New Brunswick’s universities and colleges for co-op programs and employment opportunities upon graduation.

Mr. Irving’s contributions have been recognized in many ways. He received the Boys and Girls Club of Moncton’s Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement Award (2011); was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Clubs of Greater Moncton (2014); was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame (2014); received the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick’s Champion of Literacy Award (2016); and was honoured with the rare centennial Paul Harris Fellowship Award, bestowed on the 100th anniversary of four Rotary clubs (2020). He was also inducted in the Order of Moncton (2020) and in the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame (2023).

Mr. Irving lives in Moncton with his wife, Jill. They have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Robert K. Irving is receiving the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his profound and extensive community involvement, his generosity and his exceptional altruism towards the advancement of his community and province

Art and architectural historian, curator, educator, artist and architect, John Leroux has fostered a renewed appreciation and understanding of the architecture and culture of New Brunswick.

He holds a bachelor of architecture from McGill University, a master’s degree in art history from Concordia University, and a PhD in history from the University of New Brunswick. He has worked at award-winning architecture firms in Toronto, Atlanta, Saint John and his hometown of Fredericton – and has taught at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University.

Over the past 25 years, he has been an ardent defender of New Brunswick's historic buildings and architectural landscapes and a champion of insightful contemporary design. He has spearheaded numerous efforts to promote the stewardship and preservation of architectural heritage in the province. He helped save important historic sites from destruction, such as York House (the original Fredericton High School), the Centennial Building and Charlotte Street School (now the Charlotte Street Arts Centre) in Fredericton, as well as Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Moncton. A design team member for many significant buildings throughout New Brunswick, he has also led the careful restoration of such provincial treasures as the McAdam Railway Station, St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease in Fredericton, and St. Lawrence’s Anglican Church in Bouctouche.

He has volunteered with the City of Fredericton Preservation Review Board, the City of Fredericton's Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, the provincial cultural policy working group and, most recently, the designing and co-ordinating of a ‘’housing first’’ retrofit of an historic downtown Fredericton building into dignified affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness. These examples demonstrate his willingness to share his knowledge and professional skills for the benefit of his community and province.

Mr. Leroux has won many awards for architectural and public art projects throughout Canada and was a team member of Canada’s entry at the 2012 Venice Biennale in architecture. A passionate advocate for the arts and for architectural conservancy, he has authored 18 books on architecture and visual culture, including Building New Brunswick: An Architectural History, and A Vision in Wood and Stone: The Architecture of Mount Allison University.

John Leroux is receiving the Order of New Brunswick for his outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to the future of the province's architecture, the protection of its historic buildings and his passion for building an improved quality of life for generations to come.

Karen Taylor is a lifelong learner with strong values and a deep love for New Brunswick. Currently chair of Service New Brunswick, she has chaired and been a member of numerous volunteer boards throughout her professional life.

While director of education at the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission from 1989 to 2001, her keen sense of leadership enabled her to play a significant role in the development of public policy throughout the province, promoting inclusion and non-discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. She has also been a key advisor in the struggle for equality for First Nations women and men. In particular, she supported bringing the case of Sandra Lovelace before the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which led to Parliament repealing a discriminatory section of the Indian Act.

Ms. Taylor has been a member of the Faculty of Management Advisory Board at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) since 2007, where she has been a champion of fairness, equality and respect. While serving as a member and president of the Alumnae Executive Council of UNB, she was committed to encouraging young women through networking opportunities, supporting participation in leadership roles, identifying unmet needs of female students, and working towards meeting those needs. She has also undertaken innovative volunteer work, such as implementing a mock interview program for students. During her time with the UNB board of governors from 2012 to 2016, she offered a woman’s perspective, good governance and an appreciation for passionate young minds.

When the New Brunswick Community College became a Crown corporation, Ms. Taylor served as a member of its inaugural board of governors from 2010 to 2015.  

After returning to her hometown of Woodstock when she retired, she established her own consulting practice and has worked with organizations such as NB Power and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. In addition to being the first woman president of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and a leader of the 2nd Woodstock Girl Guides unit, she continues to help local volunteer organizations improve their board governance and fundraising capacity, just as she once did with the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation. In 2023 she co-authored a book, Celebrating the Legacy of Golf and Curling in Woodstock, New Brunswick: The First 70 Years, with the proceeds donated to the Legacy Fund of the Woodstock Golf and Curling Club.  She is also president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carleton-York, the Kings Landing Foundation and a member of the Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery.

She has been recognized for her expertise in voluntary leadership and contributions to the community with the Celebration of Women Millennium Project Award; the Governor General's Commemorative Medal; the Silver Keystone Award; and the 2023 Citizen Recognition Award from the Town of Woodstock.

Karen O. Taylor is receiving the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of her lifelong dedication to addressing injustice, improving others’ lives and supporting ventures that make her community, province and country better.