Social Inclusion Summit

A community event focused on inclusion, equity, and belonging.

Vincent Merola
Community Development Officer-Social Inclusion
vincent.merola [at] moncton.ca (vincent[dot]merola[at]moncton[dot]ca) 

Hands assembling puzzle pieces in shape of heart

Moncton Social Inclusion Summit: Building Belonging Together

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 

Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Location: Delta Beauséjour, Moncton 

The summit will bring together residents, organizations, service providers, businesses, volunteers, and community leaders for a day of workshops, conversations, cultural performances, and food from around the world.

Workshop themes will include youth leadership, mental health, Indigenous partnership and reconciliation, senior-led inclusion, newcomer experiences, affordable housing, accessibility, LGBTQ+ inclusion, food security, civic participation, anti-racism, and more.

Come share your ideas, learn from others, celebrate Moncton’s diversity, and help shape a more inclusive community.

Space is limited. Please register in advance to help us plan for seating, food, and accessibility needs. 
 

REGISTER NOW

Agenda

We'll kick off the day with a light breakfast and an opportunity to connect with other participants. Please check in upon arrival and enjoy some time to mingle before the day’s activities begin.

Breakfast Menu

Continental Buffet

Assortment of Mini Muffins, Danish, and Butter Croissants

Unsweetened Greek Yogurt

Fresh Diced Fruit (GF / DF)

Selection of Cereals, Chilled Skim and Whole Milk

Butter and Fruit Preserves

Toaster Station with Bagels and Assorted Breads

Assorted Juices

Starbucks Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Tazo Teas

Opening remarks, followed by a brief overview of the day’s schedule, logistics and important information.

Led by Donna Augustine. 

Participants can choose from three workshops: 

Option 1: Youth Voices, Community Change: Advancing Social Inclusion Through Youth Leadership in Moncton

Facilitator: Christin Allain, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists:

  • Ellen Jeffries, Community Development Officer – Seniors and Youth, City of Moncton
  • Mercy Ashogbon, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee
  • Felix Robichaud, Open Sky Co-operative 
  • Summer Primrose, Integrated Youth Services, YMCA

Option 2: Building an Inclusive Community Through Mental Health Collaboration and Support

Facilitator: Josee Cormier, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists:

  • Melanie LeBlanc Sturgeon, Atlantic Wellness
  • Amy O’Keefe, Horizon Health Network
  • Dale Hicks, Rising Tide
  • Joël Pelletier, CMHA

Option 3: Advancing Social Inclusion Through Indigenous Partnership, Voice, and Reconciliation

Facilitator: Joanne Duguay, Cultural Development Officer, City of Moncton

Presenters:

  • Donna Augustine, Mi'kmaw elder from Elsipogtog First Nation
  • Pam Montour, CEO of Indigenous Women of the Wabanaki Territories (IWWT) 

Take a break, enjoy a coffee and connect with fellow participants.

Graydon Nicholas 

During lunch, we’ll celebrate community members through recognition presentations, followed by a live performance.

Lunch Menu

Fresh rolls and butter

Egusi Soup (Thick Soup from melon seeds, spinach, vegetables, served with fufu)
Nigeria

Tabbouleh (Salad with Bulgur wheat, tomatoes, parsley, mint, lemon juice, olive oil)
Syria

Mapo Tofu (Soft Tofu in spicy sauce)
China

Adobo (Pork marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices, with white rice)
Philippines

Biryani (Fragan Rice with spices, saffron, chicken)
India

Starbucks Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Tazo Teas

Participants can choose from three workshops:  

Option 1: Aging with Dignity and Connection: Strengthening Senior-Led Social Inclusion in Moncton

Facilitator: Caroline Korytko, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists:

  • Mike Richard, Mayor’s Senior Advisory Committee
  • Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, UdeM, Nursing Homes Without Walls
  • Cicely Samuel, Mayor’s Senior Advisory Committee

Option 2: Welcoming Talent, Building Opportunity: Advancing Newcomer Inclusion Through Business and Economic Collaboration

Facilitator: Maruf Hassan, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists:

  • Michelle Ménard, Southeast Regional Service Commission
  • Lise LeBlanc, PETL
  • Kim Wilson, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton 
  • Rachel Slipp, Immigration Strategy Officer City of Moncton 
  • Patrick Richard, DMCI

Option 3: From Policy to Place: Advancing Affordable Housing Through Partnership, Planning, and Community Action

Facilitator: Yves Belliveau, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists:

  • Peter Corbyn, New Brunswick Nonprofit Housing Association
  • Sarah Anderson, Director, Planning and Development, City of Moncton
  • Cory Herc, Human Development Council 
  • Dale Hicks, Rising Tide

Take a break, enjoy a coffee and connect with fellow participants.

Participants can choose from three workshops:  

Option 1: Naming Racism, Creating Change: Local Action for a More Inclusive Moncton

Facilitator: Diani Blanco, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists

  • Maha Imazitene, MAGMA
  • Ali Ettarnichi, Muslim Association
  • Ketan Raval, Moncton Cares 

Option 2: From Access to Dignity: Strengthening Food Security Through Community Partnership and Inclusive Systems

Facilitator: Josee Cormier, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists

  • Nikki Dancause, Peter McKee Centre
  • Stephane Sirois, FeedNB
  • Leon Baker, Harvest House
  • Jill Van Horne, Food For All NB
  • Marie-Eve Brideau, NB Public Health

Option 3: From Engagement to Belonging: Strengthening Civic Participation Through Volunteerism, Community Leadership, and City Collaboration  

Facilitator: Councillor Felix LeBlanc, Moncton Social Inclusion Committee

Panelists

  • Debbi LeBlanc, Greater Moncton Volunteer Centre
  • Shelley Morton, Moncton City Clerk
  • Pamela O’Brien, Volunteer
  • Heather Fraser, Moncton Cares

We'll wrap up the day with closing remarks, a live performance and an opportunity to connect and network with fellow participants. 

Keynote Speaker

Photo of Graydon Nicholas

Graydon Nicholas

The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Order of New Brunswick, was the 30th Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick from 2009 to 2014, becoming the first aboriginal person to hold this office. He was born on the Tobique Reserve in 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University in 1968, a law degree from UNB Law School in 1971 and a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfred Laurier University in 1974. He has received four honorary degrees from St. Francis Xavier University (1994), WLU (2002), Mount Allison University (2010) and UNB (2015). He was Chair of Native Studies at St. Thomas University from 1989-1991. He worked with the Union of NB Indians as legal counsel, Chairman of the Board and President of the Union of New Brunswick Indians from 1974-1988. He was a Provincial Court Judge from 1991-2009. He was appointed as the Lieutenant-Governor for NB from 2009-2014.

He married his wife, Beth, on June 28, 1969. They had two sons, Michael (died on August 9, 2019) and Brian. They are proud grandparents to Cato and Allison Nicholas who live in Arizona. Beth and Graydon are members of the Christian Life Communities (CLC) since 1984. They have served as National Presidents of CLC Canada. He is a firm believer of prayerful discernment to find out God`s plan in his life. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 2009 and received the First, Second, Third and Fourth Degrees. He was a participant at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Congresses in 2009 [Phoenix, Arizona] and 2012 at the Supreme Conventions. He was elected as a Supreme Director in Philadelphia at the Supreme Convention in 2015 for a three-year term. He was appointed as a Supreme Warden in October 2018 for a two-year term and extended to 2020. He was a Special Consultant for the Supreme Knight for Canadian & Indigenous Affairs, from 2019-2026.

Graydon was appointed to the Endowed Chair of Native Studies on August 1, 2015 and continues in that capacity. He is involved with teaching, research, and community interaction. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada on May 2016. He was appointed to the Guadalupe Circle of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops [CCCB] in December 2016 to represent the Knights of Columbus and completed his responsibilities on August 5, 2026. He was appointed as an independent member of GIO [General Insurance OmbudService] for a three-year term in October 2017, extended to 2025 and was the Chairperson. He has been appointed on the Board of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund created by the CCCB and continues in that capacity.

Sponsors

A very special thank you to our sponsors: 

 

Cox and Palmer Law logo

 

Kindred Home Care logo