Cecile Cassista

Cecile Cassista has been a long-standing community leader with extensive experience in municipal governance, advocacy, and public service. She has also served as Deputy Mayor from 2013–2014 and 2016–2017.

She is the Executive Director of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights, which she co-founded in 2004 to promote affordable, accessible programs and improve quality of life for seniors and their families. Cecile is widely recognized for her lifelong commitment to seniors’ rights, unionism, and the feminist movement, and has held leadership roles including Vice President of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women and contract negotiator with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. She has also served with the Manitoba Labour Board, the Childcare Coalition of Manitoba, and the United Way of Winnipeg.

After returning to New Brunswick following retirement, she co-founded the Coalition and established the Seniors’ Roundtable for the Town of Riverview in 2006, supporting initiatives such as the Year of the Older Person.

In municipal government, Cecile has contributed to committees including Seniors Roundtable, CAO Review, Pension & Benefits, Municipal Plan and Rezoning, and MAGMA. She was elected in 2021 as a director for the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (Zone 2).

She is co-founder and chair of Riverview Neighbourhood Watch and has served as a director of the Riverview Lions Club, as well as Vice President of Urban Rural Rides for Southeastern New Brunswick.

Her contributions have been recognized with the Order of New Brunswick (2022), the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and the King’s Coronation Medal.

Cecile remains focused on issues such as seniors’ care, affordable housing, immigration, public safety, infrastructure, and accessible transportation, and is committed to strong engagement and communication with residents.

Outside of public service, she stays active in community events such as Art in the Park and Winter Carnival, and enjoys remaining physically active and involved year-round.