Amendments introduced to enhance Order of New Brunswick Act

Release

Department of Intergovernmental Affairs

October 28, 2025

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government has introduced legislation meant to enhance the nomination and selection process for the Order of New Brunswick.

Proposed changes to the Order of New Brunswick Act would allow the Order of New Brunswick Advisory Council to submit up to 10 people to the Executive Council for consideration each year. That would be an increase from the maximum of five presently allowed under the act.

“The Order of New Brunswick is our province’s highest honour, and we want to continue celebrating exceptional New Brunswickers,” said Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours. “These amendments will help ensure that New Brunswickers from every region, every linguistic community, and every background have an equal opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to our province.”

The amendments, if passed, would also change governance rules related to the advisory council and better align the act with similar legislation related to appointments. These changes include:

•              Having the presidents of universities on the council rotate for terms of up to three years, in the order they are listed in the act.

•              A provision so that a member of the council appointed by the Executive Council remains in office until the member resigns or is reappointed or replaced.

•              A provision for the removal of a council member for cause on the recommendation of the advisory council.

The Order of New Brunswick recognizes people who have demonstrated excellence and achievement and who have made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or economic well-being of New Brunswick and its residents.

More than 200 people have been invested into the order since it was established in 2000.

 

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