The following definitions apply in this Act. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.1
“council” means the Order of New Brunswick Advisory Council established under section 15. (conseil)
“Executive Council” means the Executive Council of the Province. (Conseil exécutif)
“Order” means the Order of New Brunswick established under section 2. (Ordre)
The Order of New Brunswick is established. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.2
The object of the Order is to recognize individuals 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. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.3
The Lieutenant-Governor is the Chancellor of the Order by virtue of his or her office. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.4
Subject to section 13, on the appointment of a person to the office of Lieutenant-Governor, he or she becomes a member of the Order for life. 2004, c.5, s.1
The Order is the highest honour of New Brunswick and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals conferred by the Crown in right of New Brunswick. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.5
2000, c.O-5.01, s.6
Subject to section 13, on being invested with the Order, a person is a member of the Order for life.
A member of the Order shall receive a certificate signed by the Chancellor and sealed with the Great Seal of the Province as evidence of membership and shall be presented with the insignia of the Order.
A member of the Order is entitled to wear the insignia of the Order as a decoration and to use the initials “O.N.B.” after his or her name. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.7
2000, c.O-5.01, s.8
Canadian citizens who are current or former long-term residents of New Brunswick are eligible to be nominated for and to receive the Order.
Despite subsection (1), the following are not eligible to be nominated for or to receive the Order while they are in office:
(a) members of the Legislative Assembly, the House of Commons of Canada or the Senate; and
(b) judges of any court.
Despite any other provision of this Act, the Order may be conferred posthumously
(a) in respect of any individual who dies after his or her name is submitted by the council to the Executive Council under section 11, and
(b) in any year, in exceptional circumstances, in respect of one individual who is nominated after his or her death.
Any individual or organization may nominate an individual for the Order by submitting the name of the individual to the secretary of the council. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.9
The council shall consider nominations received under section 10 and shall submit to the Executive Council the names of not more than ten individuals in each year who, in the opinion of the council, are worthy of receiving the Order. 2000, c.O-5.01, s.10; 2023, c.20, s.1; 2025, c.38, s.1
2000, c.O-5.01, s.11
From the names submitted under section 11, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council shall approve for membership those individuals who are to be invested with the Order.
The Chancellor shall invest with the Order those individuals approved for membership under subsection (1).
2000, c.O-5.01, s.12
A member of the Order may resign from the Order by giving written notice of intention to resign, signed by the member, to the Chancellor.
On the recommendation of the council and with the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the Chancellor shall terminate a person’s membership in the Order.
A person who is not a member of the Order commits an offence punishable under Part 2 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act as a category E offence if he or she 2000, c.O-5.01, s.13
(a) holds himself or herself out as a member of the Order,
(b) wears or uses the insignia of the Order, or
(c) uses the initials of the Order after his or her name.
2000, c.O-5.01, s.14; 2009, c.30, s.1; 2016, c.37, s.132; 2023, c.17, s.184; 2023, c.20, s.2; 2025, c.38, s.2
There shall be an advisory council, to be known as the Order of New Brunswick Advisory Council, consisting of
(a) a non-voting chair, who is either the Chief Justice of New Brunswick or the Chief Justice of The Court of King’s Bench of New Brunswick, alternating with each other for terms of three years;
(b) two members, each of whom is a member by virtue of his or her office, of whom
(i) one is the Clerk of the Executive Council or their designate, and
(ii) one is the President of The University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, St. Thomas University or the Université de Moncton; and
(c) three to five other members, each of whom shall be a resident of New Brunswick, to be appointed by the Executive Council for a term of not more than three years.
The presidents of the universities shall serve on a rotating basis in the order they appear in subparagraph (1)(b)(ii), for terms of not more than three years.
The members of the council appointed under paragraph (1)(c) are eligible for reappointment for one additional term of not more than three years.
Despite paragraph (1)(c) and subsection (3), a member of the council appointed under paragraph (1)(c) shall remain in office until the member resigns or is reappointed or replaced.
On the recommendation of the council, the Executive Council may remove a member of the council appointed under paragraph (1)(c) for cause.
The chair and members of the council are not entitled to any remuneration but may be reimbursed for expenses reasonably incurred in carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the rates established by the Treasury Board for the employees of the public service.
2009, c.30, s.2
If the chair is absent or unable to act, the alternating Chief Justice shall act on behalf of the chair.
If neither Chief Justice is able to act as chair, the members of the council shall elect from among themselves a member to act as chair.
A member who is elected chair may vote on any matter before the council.
2000, c.O-5.01, s.15
The council shall meet at least once in each year
(a) for the purpose set out in section 11, and
(b) for the purpose of discussing any matters related to the technical aspects of the Order that the council considers necessary.
The council may determine the procedures for the conduct of its business.
The Executive Council may appoint a secretary of the council who shall 2000, c.O-5.01, s.16; 2023, c.20, s.3
(a) maintain the records of the Order and the council,
(b) receive nominations for the Order on behalf of the council under section 10,
(c) make the arrangements associated with investitures,
(c.1) at the direction of the council and subject to its approval, establish criteria and guidelines for the selection process for use under extraordinary circumstances, and
(d) perform any other functions with respect to the Order that the council may require.