2026 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.

As a renowned figure in the arts world, Paul Marcel Albert is an icon of the Acadian artistic and cultural community. A native of Caraquet, Mr. Albert spent more than 20 years as director of the Festival Acadien de Caraquet, an event bringing as many as 175,000 people together to celebrate Acadian heritage which was named one of the top 100 events in North America.

Beyond the festival, Mr. Albert’s involvement in Acadian arts and culture also extends to the Compagnie Viola-Léger, which he co-founded in the 1980s. With that theatre company, he produced several notable works, including Harold et Maude, starring Viola Léger and Roy Dupuis, and Le Nez, directed by Michel-Marc Bouchard. He was also behind the return of the musical Louis Mailloux to the stage in 2010–2011.

In addition to theatre, Mr. Albert has lent his talents to film as associate producer of the television movie Le violon d’Arthur. He also helped coordinate the New Brunswick tour of the film Les portes tournantes. From 1994 to 2002, Mr. Albert owned the Bellevue movie theatre and its three drive-in cinemas. He later took over the management of Caraquet’s Cinéma du Centre in 2011.

In 2004, he created and produced Ode à l’Acadie, a musical performance featuring seven instrumentalists. Originally scheduled to run through the summer of 2004, this show ended up a huge success. The group toured for seven years across three continents, even performing for heads of state of La Francophonie in Burkina Faso in the production’s first year.

In 2009, the Acadian Peninsula was chosen to host the Congrès Mondial Acadien under Mr. Albert’s leadership, generating countless economic and tourism benefits for the region.

Mr. Albert’s outstanding contributions have earned him numerous honours and awards, including being named the 1994 cultural personality of the year in New Brunswick. In 2006, he received the Gilbert-Finn award for manager of the year from the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick. In 2017, Ciné-Québec presented him with its Coup de Chapeau award, and the following year, he received the Senate of Canada’s 150th Anniversary medal. Mr. Albert was also awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023. Finally, in 2026, the Université de Moncton, Shippagan Campus, awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Arts.

Paul Marcel Albert is receiving the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his passion for Acadian culture and the arts and his commitment to his community.

A respected leader from Elsipogtog First Nation and an accomplished patron of the arts, filmmaker, and Cultural Knowledge Keeper, Brian J. Francis has made significant contributions to the Canadian culture and arts landscape for more than 30 years.

As the first Mi’kmaq interpreter for the House of Commons of Canada and the Senate, Mr. Francis played an important role in elevating the Mi’kmaq language on the national stage and advancing greater recognition of Indigenous languages and perspectives.

Mr. Francis’ career is defined by a series of groundbreaking achievements, beginning as the manager of the pioneering Indigenous rock band Eagle Feather and continuing with his historic role as the first Indigenous film producer on the East Coast.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Francis has built an extraordinary body of work that includes more than 70 documentaries, feature films and acclaimed television series most of which are in the Mi’kmaq language. His credits include the CBC documentary Circle of Justice, and his productions have reached audiences across Canada through the National Film Board, APTN and other broadcasters. He also produced and co-directed L'Esprit demeure/The Spirit Remains, a landmark collaboration between CBC Gem and Radio-Canada in Atlantic Canada. His documentaries have been screened at numerous international film festivals, earning recognition and awards for their powerful storytelling, advocacy and cultural significance.

Beyond his work in film, Mr. Francis is an accomplished visual artist whose work is deeply rooted in Mi’kmaq spirituality and symbolism. His paintings have been exhibited in respected galleries across Atlantic Canada, Ontario, and France, and his imagery has been projected onto the Parliament House buildings in Melbourne, Australia, bringing his artistic vision to audiences around the world.

His books, Between Two Worlds and The Sacred Space, further showcase his ability to weave visual art, spirituality, and cultural knowledge into powerful expressions of Mi’kmaq identity and experience.

Throughout his career, Mr. Francis has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to sharing Indigenous stories, strengthening representation, and creating pathways for future generations of artists. His contributions have enriched the artistic fabric of New Brunswick and strengthened the presence of Indigenous voices within Canada’s cultural landscape.

Brian J. Francis is receiving the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his contributions as a champion of Indigenous voices, a mentor to emerging artists, and a cultural leader whose work continues to inspire and connect communities.

Born in Campbellton on National Acadian Day, Patsy Gallant is a proud Acadian whose career as a singer-songwriter, actress and producer now spans 75 years. For her exceptional career, she has been affectionately dubbed the “Canadian disco queen.”

After first appearing on stage in the early 1950s alongside her sisters as part of the group Les Sœurs Gallant and then later performing with the Bunkhouse Boys, she embarked on her solo career in 1967. Now living in Montréal, she has since recorded more than thirty albums in French and English, selling more than three million copies. She went on to become a three-time JUNO Award winner and host of the Patsy Gallant Show (CTV).

In 1993, her career took her to France, where she spent eight years playing the role of Stella Spotlight in the musical Starmania. In the past decade, she has recorded her latest French album, Patsy Gallant chante Piaf, followed by a bilingual album, To exist and be heard, in 2022. She has also published her autobiography, Ma vie en technicolor, and appeared on the first season of Zénith (ICI Télé) as well as the fourth season of Big Brother Célébrités (Noovo).

Her passion for Acadian music and culture led to her being named a Member of the Order of Canada and a Knight of the Ordre National du Québec.

Amid all her projects, she always finds time to lend a hand to a host of charitable causes, including breast cancer research, support for individuals on the autism spectrum, childhood diseases and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

A passionate artist who is deeply committed to her craft and her heritage, Patsy Gallant is receiving the Order of New Brunswick in recognition of her 75-year career, her exceptional dedication to the arts, her global impact as a musician and her steadfast support for her community.

In August 1991, Dr. Ali Ghorbani chose to come to New Brunswick to pursue PhD studies in Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick. Since then, his personal and professional lives have become deeply rooted in this province.

In 1999, Dr. Ghorbani joined the University of New Brunswick (UNB) as a Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science. He served as Dean of the Faculty from 2008 to 2017 and has held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity since 2016.

Over the course of his 45-year academic career, Dr. Ghorbani has taught more than 20 undergraduate and graduate courses and supervised more than 250 research associates, research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, PhD and master’s students, undergraduate students, and co-op students. Through his mentorship, he has helped shape the careers of numerous researchers and professionals across academia, industry, and government, many of whom have since assumed leadership roles in their respective fields.

Dr. Ghorbani has also authored more than 450 peer-reviewed publications and co-wrote a foundational book in intrusion detection and prevention systems. His work has been cited worldwide.

In 2002 and 2004 he established two research labs: Intelligent & Adaptive Systems (IAS) and Network and Information Security (NSL). Often referred to as the father of cybersecurity in New Brunswick, Dr. Ghorbani established the first dedicated cybersecurity institute in Canada at UNB, the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC). He began to work toward this in 2007, and it has since become a nationally and internationally known centre that attracts research partnerships, investment, and talent from around the world. Under his leadership as co-founder and director, CIC brings together researchers, students, and industry partners to advance cybersecurity solutions that protect critical digital infrastructure.

Dr. Ghorbani’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity has been recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association in 2024. He was one of two recipients in the country. In 2025, he was honoured again with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada’s Computer Science Association.

Dr. Ghorbani’s passion for cybersecurity, responsible AI use, the protection of Canadians in a digital age, and post-secondary education showcase his unwavering commitment to science and technology. For this, Dr. Ali Ghorbani is receiving the Order of New Brunswick.

Originally from Belle-Baie, in the Petit-Rocher area, and now living in Caraquet, Émérentienne “Émé” Lacroix has become an ambassador for Acadian and French culture through her music and her passion for teaching.

Renowned for her folk and classical music performances, Ms. Lacroix has spent more than 50 years as a choir director, during which time she has shared her extensive knowledge and love of music with artists of all ages. She is also the founding director of the Douce Harmonie vocal ensemble, now in its 30th year.

She has spent decades as a member of various choirs in the province, including the Mission Saint-Charles Choir of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival for 35 years. In addition, she has taken part in numerous performances and other events dedicated to promoting the love of music, including the Festival Acadien de Caraquet.

Ms. Lacroix has been a fixture of the Village Historique Acadien since it opened in 1977. In her time at the Village, she has played a key role in many events, including dinner shows and her stirring performance of “Ave Maris Stella.”

Ms. Lacroix often accompanies her husband, Donat Lacroix, on stage during concerts and performances at a variety of venues across Canada — all the way to Vancouver — and abroad, including France, Belgium and the United States, helping bring cheer to local communities. Together, they welcomed visitors from all over aboard their Bot’ à chansons, anchored at Caraquet’s Carrefour for 12 summers.

A passionate volunteer, Ms. Lacroix has devoted a great deal of her time to causes such as L’Accueil Sainte-Famille, the Red Cross and Operation Red Nose as well as to musical performances at nursing homes across her region. She has also contributed to church services for nearly half a century, both in her parish and elsewhere in the diocese.

Her passion for education is also reflected in her volunteer work. Ms. Lacroix helped establish the first kindergarten program in Caraquet at a time when kindergarten was not yet part of the education system. She has also taught at public schools in the province and within the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick network.

Ms. Lacroix’s unwavering dedication has earned her multiple awards for her cultural contributions, including recognition by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013 and Platinum Jubilee medal in 2023. More recently, in 2025, she received a certificate of honour and recognition from the Fondation du Collège Saint-Joseph (Université de Moncton).

In recognition of her dedication and commitment to the community, as well as for passing on her love of music and Acadian and provincial heritage, Émérentienne “Émé” Lacroix is receiving the Order of New Brunswick.

Patricia “Patsy” McKinney is widely recognized for her dedication to building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, fostering understanding, respect and partnership.

Through her advocacy, Ms. McKinney has championed several projects, programs and proposals aimed at uplifting Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick and across the country.

In 2005, Ms. McKinney pursued studies in philosophy specializing in interdisciplinary leadership studies at Renaissance College. Those leadership skills followed her to her next chapter. Since 2008, Ms. McKinney has been the executive director of Under One Sky Friendship Centre. Under her leadership, Under One Sky has grown from a small one-program agency into a major social, cultural and economic hub that employs 30 staff and delivers more than 20 programs and services.

Ms. McKinney has also been instrumental in making the Awitgati Longhouse and Cultural Centre Project a reality. This new Friendship centre with a title which references “a place to gather and find wellness as a community”, once completed, will be a place for community building and passing on culture and traditions from one generation to the next. The Friendship Centre, which will be situated on Union Street in Fredericton, will also promote wellbeing through a range of programming in health, education and culture.

Ms. McKinney’s efforts have been celebrated with numerous accolades over the years including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and Renaissance College’s inaugural Trailblazer Award in recognition of her contributions to early learning and childcare, family resilience-building and cultural renewal for Indigenous communities.

Her leadership has built strong relationships with the non-indigenous communities and resulted in many collaborative efforts that have helped us move closer to reconciliation.

Patricia McKinney is receiving the Order of New Brunswick for her continued dedication to Indigenous programs and services and for her advocacy and commitment to helping people reclaim their voices, rebuild their confidence, and rediscover their power.

A pillar of the Charlotte County community, Edward L.D. McLean was the last in the McLean family to hold the position of President and CEO of Connors Bros. Ltd in Blacks Harbour.

During his time at the company, Mr. McLean led the company to stay one step ahead of the global market and played an integral part in the strategy to acquire a majority position in Bumble Bee Seafoods LLC and Clover Leaf Seafoods, creating the largest branded seafood company in North America. He was also instrumental in transforming Blacks Harbour from a total company town to the Incorporated Village of Blacks Harbour.

As a board member of the Saint John Port Authority, he was pleased to assist in the expansion of the container terminal at the Port of Saint John and was one of many who helped guide the port’s transformation into one of the fastest growing ports in Canada. 

Amidst all this, Mr. McLean has also been a strong advocate for the Bay of Fundy fishing industry as a part of the Gulf of Maine Fisheries Council, representing the New Brunswick private sector.

Known for his company philosophy of supporting the community, this expanded from Connors Bros. to McLean’s other business interests, including Chipman Hill Suites. In 2005, his business endeavors and contributions to the surrounding community earned Mr. McLean a spot in the JA New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame.

Mr. McLean’s philanthropy has continued beyond the business sector. For more than twenty years, he served on the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission and played a key role in advancing multiple projects including the Friendship Trail, which was the first of its kind in New Brunswick. This initiative not only expanded the Park but also contributed meaningfully to regional tourism and economic development.  He was also a valued mentor to other Commissioners and park staff until he retired in 2025.

Mr. McLean has served as treasurer for the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, a member of the Energy and Utilities Board for the Province of New Brunswick, and as a lay member of the New Brunswick College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Together with his wife, Susan Fullerton, Mr. McLean has worked to support the successful integration of over thirty Ukrainian newcomers into the Province by giving them their first job in Canada at Chipman Hill Suites. They have provided accommodation, gathered volunteers to help with language or driver training, and assisted in the completion of immigration requirements to ensure newcomers have a stable base as they start their new lives in Canada.

Known best for always being at the ready when a “hand-up” is needed, Edward L.D. McLean is receiving the Order of New Brunswick for his contribution to New Brunswick’s business sector and his dedication to his community.

For 35 years, Paul Ouellet served Canadians as a federal civil servant. But even in retirement, he continues to serve New Brunswickers as a passionate advocate for people struggling with mental illness and addiction and those experiencing homelessness.

Drawing on the experience he gained while advocating for his loved ones, Mr. Ouellet has become a full-time mental health advocate and played a pivotal role in the fight for systemic change.

In 2019, thanks to Mr. Ouellet’s leadership, New Brunswick took another step forward in establishing the position of mental health advocate. The Legislative Assembly voted unanimously to call on the government to allocate the necessary resources to this position and to other mental health issues as well as to recognize the challenges faced by those affected and their families.

In his efforts to make New Brunswick a place where everyone can be treated with dignity, respect and compassion, Mr. Ouellet was also one of the leading advocates for expanding the mental health court program in the province, beginning in Moncton.

In December 2024, the Paul Ouellet Foundation was established, and Mr. Ouellet named its honorary president. Under his leadership, the board of directors will strive to bring real change to the causes he has championed throughout his life. This will include an awareness campaign focused on serious mental illness and addiction, funding for local research aimed at addressing current systemic gaps through innovative solutions, and advocacy efforts to secure additional resources, and more accessible care in New Brunswick.

Paul Ouellet is receiving the Order of New Brunswick for his unwavering commitment to ensuring that those facing mental illness and addiction receive the necessary support and are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. 

For 40 years, Jean-Guy Poitras was a professor at the Université de Moncton, Edmundston campus, where he taught physical education. Recognized by his former students as a strong leader and an outstanding motivator, he guided many of them in their studies and mentored countless others in various fields throughout his professional life.

In recognition of his exceptional achievements over the course of his career, Mr. Poitras was the first recipient of the distinction award from the Association des anciennes, anciens et ami.e.s de Saint-Louis-Maillet.

Mr. Poitras’s leadership and mentorship also extended beyond the classroom onto the badminton court, where he coached umpires at the provincial, national and international levels. His dedication to that sport led him to officiate at several world championships as well as at the Canada Games and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. More recently, he participated in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as chair of the Umpires’ Assessment Panel. In total, Mr. Poitras officiated at over 1,200 international matches during his badminton career.

Mr. Poitras also wields a pen with as much ease as he does a badminton racket, publishing more than 60 books on health, physical education, sports and genealogy throughout his career. His books are available through local libraries, Quebec genealogical societies and the Provincial Archives.

Jean-Guy Poitras is receiving the Order of New Brunswick for his exceptional leadership and highly valued mentorship in sport, and his commitment to serving as a proud ambassador for New Brunswick.

Born in St. Stephen and raised in Moncton, William “Bill” Whalen is a true Monctonian who still calls the Hub City home.

Known for his long-standing career in public relations and communications, Mr. Whalen has been an outstanding leader and consistently elevated standards in the field.

His career has taken him to various senior leadership roles at Blue Cross of Atlantic Canada, the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, Irving Oil, Corporate Communications Limited and most recently, Hawk Marketing, where he became owner in 2007.

This trajectory led him to receiving recognition as one of Atlantic Business Magazine's Top 50 CEOs, as an accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society and later appointment to the CPRS College of Fellows and as a Life Member.

Outside of his professional life, Mr. Whalen has fiercely believed that New Brunswick is the place to be and has been a dedicated advocate for his home province as a place to host world-class sports, musical and cultural events.

This belief brought several sports events to New Brunswick over the years and put both the province and Moncton on the national and world stages. These included the 2006 CHL Memorial Cup, the launch of both the Moncton Wildcats and Saint John Sea Dogs, the 2009 Men’s World Curling Championships, the 2010 IAAF World Junior Track Field Championships and the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, which he co-chaired.

Mr. Whalen’s dedication to and belief in his home community was recognized with the Order of Moncton in 2013 and the King Charles III Coronation medal in 2025.

Business and volunteer work have crossed paths in Mr. Whalen’s life through service with Junior Achievement New Brunswick. His leadership in creating the Junior Achievement New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame helped transform the JA program into the leading business knowledge-based program for young entrepreneurs. Mr. Whalen was inducted into the JA New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame in 2016.

Mr. Whalen also mobilized community generosity and strengthened the Moncton region as a United Way Campaign Chair, member of the Board of the Friends of
the Moncton Hospital Foundation, the creator of Lynn’s Lights, in honour of his late wife Lynn and as Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.

William “Bill” Whalen is being recognized with the Order of New Brunswick for bringing people together, leading with integrity, and for believing the Province of New Brunswick is truly the place to be.