2 October, 2026
FREDERICTON, N.B. – The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) will honour three outstanding individuals on Saturday during its Annual Conference, recognizing local leaders who have made significant contributions to their communities and the province’s municipal sector.
“I want to congratulate this year’s UMNB Award recipients, when you look at what Maxime, Mary Jane, and Yvon have done, it really comes down to heart and vision,” said UNMB President Brittany Merrifield. “Whether it’s building school-community hubs and firing up young people in Memramcook, mentoring generations of municipal leaders behind the scenes, or spending nearly three decades turning Dieppe into a thriving city, these three show us what local leadership is all about,” she said. “They haven’t just held positions; they rolled-up their sleeves and made life better for everyone around them.”
The Union presents three annual awards to celebrate exemplary achievement in local government: The Arthur Slipp Municipal Leader of the Year, The Raymond Murphy Memorial Award, and The Louise Breau Memorial Award.
This year’s recipients:
- The Arthur Slipp Municipal Leader of the Year – Maxime O. Bourgeois (Village of Memramcook): Recognized for his leadership in advancing local infrastructure, agritourism, youth engagement, and municipal language and cultural policies.
- The Raymond Murphy Memorial Award – Mary Jane Banks (Town of Rothesay / former AMANB President): Honoured for her distinguished career in municipal administration, policy leadership, and dedicated work across New Brunswick.
- The Louise Breau Memorial Award – Yvon Lapierre (Former Mayor and Councillor, City of Dieppe): Celebrated for over 27 years of municipal service, spearheading projects which grew and transformed the municipality, lifelong community volunteering, advocating for French language and Acadian culture in Dieppe.
About the UMNB
The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB) is a bilingual association of 60 local governments of all sizes, representing nearly 85% of New Brunswick’s population. Together, our members tackle local challenges and share solutions to make life better for their citizens.
Contact:
Alyson Samson – Communications Manager
506-478-1695
| About the 2026 recipients: |
| Mary Jane Banks (The Raymond Murphy Memorial Award) is a distinguished municipal leader from the Town of Rothesay who served on the board of the New Brunswick Association of Municipal Administrators (AAMNB-AMANB) from 2007 to 2015, and as the president from 2011 to 2013. She also sat ex-officio on the UMNB board from 2012-2019. Renowned for her sharp critical thinking, strength of character, and tireless mentorship, Ms. Banks has established herself as a vital figure in local administration. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside elected officials and administrators across New Brunswick to draft key administrative reports, review governing policy documents, and advocate on behalf of the municipal sector. Mayor Maxime O. Bourgeois (The Arthur Slipp Municipal Leader of the Year) was elected Mayor of the Village of Memramcook in 2021. A lawyer, co-founder of Bourgeois Chiasson, former Canadian Forces infantryman, and recipient of Greater Moncton’s Top 20 Under 40 award, Mayor Bourgeois brings dynamic, community-minded leadership to local governance. He is a fierce champion for the French language and Acadian culture, establishing Memramcook’s first municipal language policy declaring French as the official language and enacting its first cultural policy. Under his leadership, the municipality is advancing key infrastructure projects, including a new recreation center at the Memramcook Golf Course and a school-community center attached to Abbey-Landry School, while fostering local agritourism and building youth engagement through annual municipal visits and graduating class dinner and discussions. Mayor Bourgeois also serves as Chair of the Southeast Regional Service Commission. Yvon Lapierre (The Louise Breau Memorial Award) has devoted over 27 years to local governance as a Councillor and Mayor for the City of Dieppe. A lifelong volunteer whose community involvement began at age 14, Mr. Lapierre has supported numerous causes including BGC Dieppe (Boys and Girls Club), Skate NB, and local initiatives. Under his leadership as Mayor, Dieppe experienced remarkable growth and landmark development, including the Dieppe Market, Place 1604 (with its Arts Center and outdoor rink), the UNIplex community facility, and the Dieppe Boulevard project. He also championed Acadian identity by declaring Dieppe an official French-speaking municipality offering bilingual services and creating the local economic development corporation. |