2026 Order of Moncton recipients named

The City of Moncton is honoured to announce the 2026 Order of Moncton recipients. 

The 2026 inductees are:

• Barbara Elias
• Roland Gauvin
• Ketan Raval

“We are proud to welcome these new inductees into the Order of Moncton,” says Moncton Mayor Shawn Crossman. “All three have given back to our city in lasting and meaningful ways: Barbara as a lifelong volunteer and community connector, Roland through his music and contributions to Acadian culture and identity, and Ketan in his work with newcomers. We are pleased to publicly recognize their achievements in this way.”

The Order of Moncton is the highest honour the City can bestow on a citizen. Recipients receive a medal, a pin, and a certificate of honour at the formal induction ceremony, to be held at Legends at the Moncton Coliseum on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the City of Moncton’s YouTube channel beginning at 7 p.m. A public reception will take place at 8 p.m. that evening at Legends Restaurant at the Coliseum. 

Recipients are chosen by a selection committee comprised of elected municipal officials, three residents of Moncton, and a representative of the City of Moncton administration, from nominations submitted by community members. 

Barbara Elias

Barbara Elias exemplifies what it means to live a life of service. 

If she is made aware of a need, she finds a way to meet it, whether it is providing grocery gift cards to families, support for people experiencing homelessness, or bicycles to neighbourhood children. 

The list of charities she has supported over the years is so long it would be impossible to name them all, but most have one thing in common: Elias is drawn to people and organizations that help those facing hardship or adversity. As one person noted in her nomination, “If it will help someone who is struggling, Barb is the first one to volunteer.”

Read Barbara Elias's full citation

Roland Gauvin

For more than 50 years, Roland Gauvin’s voice has been one of the sounds that has shaped Acadian identity.

Best-known as a founding member of the iconic band 1755, he also performed as a solo artist, with Roland et Johnny, and with les Méchants Maquereaux. Throughout his career his work has brought Acadian culture to audiences across Canada and Europe and has significantly contributed to raising the profile of Acadian music on a national and international stage.

It has also given generations of Acadians a voice. His music and lyrics reflect Acadian identity, history, language, and culture, drawing people together and building pride in their shared heritage. 

Read Roland Gauvin's full citation

Ketan Raval

In Hindi, the name “Ketan” means “home” and since moving here in 2019, Ketan Raval has worked tirelessly to make Moncton home – not only for himself and his family, but for thousands of new residents.

Raval founded Moncton Cares in 2021 and it has subsequently grown to be one of New Brunswick’s largest newcomer support organizations. To date, the organization has assisted more than 10,000 people to successfully integrate into the community. Leading by example, Raval has embraced a new approach to integration and inclusion and encouraged others to do so as well. 

Raval has also championed immigrant entrepreneurs and regional economic development through the New Brunswick Business Immigrant Association, and has served on numerous boards, committees, and organizations.

Read Ketan Raval's full citation

Information

Communications, City of Moncton
communications [at] moncton.ca (communications[at]moncton[dot]ca)

High-resolution photos available to media upon request