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James Mullinger

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Saint John-area newcomers recognized among Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants

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Two Saint John-area newcomers are recipients of a prestigious national immigrant award.

Former Saint John Newcomer Centre managing director Mohamed Bagha and comedian James Mullinger are among the 2026 Top 25 Canadian Immigrants.

Presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine, the award recognizes immigrants across Canada who have made a positive impact in their communities since arriving in the country, including advocates, volunteers and entrepreneurs.

Bagha and Mullinger were the only New Brunswick nominees on this year’s list. They were among 75 finalists shortlisted for the 18th edition of the awards.

Mullinger said he was surprised to learn he had made the list, adding that winning the award is a career milestone.

“It feels like a real full circle moment after 12 years of living here,” he said. “It definitely feels very special, and I really couldn’t be prouder.”

Originally from the U.K., Mullinger moved to New Brunswick in 2014 in search of a better life for his family.

He is best known in the region for his comedy career and media appearances, including CBC’s The Debaters and the documentary film City on Fire.

During his time in Canada, Mullinger has promoted the country and raised more than $200,000 for charities and non-profits.

In an interview with Acadia Broadcasting in early May, Mullinger said his motivation to give back stems from the warm welcome he received and the opportunities New Brunswick and Canada have provided him.

RELATED: N.B. represented by Saint John finalists in national immigrant award

He said the recognition is the “icing on the cake” among the many highlights he has experienced since moving to Canada.

Mullinger said he is also proud that both he and Bagha received the honour, noting that New Brunswick, as a smaller province, can often be overlooked.

“I was so honoured to be on the shortlist with Mohamed, an icon not just of this community, but of the province,” he said.

According to the magazine’s website, the Top 25 winners were selected through a combination of judges’ scores and public voting. The judging panel includes past winners and leaders working in immigrant and ethnocultural communities.

Judges’ scores and public votes each account for 50 per cent of a nominee’s final score.

National recognition underscores N.B.’s welcoming community and growth opportunities

Mullinger said the award is also a testament to New Brunswick becoming a “shining light,” where people support and celebrate one another.

“Part of the reason I’m able to tour the country, and do big shows from coast to coast, is because of the support of New Brunswickers,” Mullinger said. “Any success that I have elsewhere is down to the kindness of New Brunswickers.”

Like Mullinger, Bagha believes the award highlights New Brunswick’s efforts to welcome newcomers and foster integration.

More importantly, he said, it demonstrates the opportunities available in the province, he said.

“There is lots of room for growth in this province, and there are hardly any hurdles,” he said. “If you work hard, you make those connections in the community, you really can create those opportunities for growth.”

Originally from Kenya, Bagha spent most of his professional career as managing director of the Saint John Newcomer Centre. He holds a master of interdisciplinary studies degree from the University of New Brunswick, with a focus on economic development and planning.

Man in a suit poses for a photo
Mohamed Bagha is the former managing director of the Saint John Newcomer centre. PHOTO: MOHAMED BAGHA/SUBMITTED WITH PERMISSION.

He has received several awards for his contributions to the Saint John region, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. He has also been recognized as Changemaker of the Year and Most Inspiring Immigrant in the Maritimes.

Now the growth manager for the City of Saint John, Bagha said he was shocked and humbled to learn he had won the award.

Bagha added that he was proud to see Mullinger’s name on the list alongside his own.

An awards ceremony will be held at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto on Wednesday.

Both Bagha and Mullinger said the award inspires them to continue contributing to the province and country.

Man in a suit poses for a photo

N.B. represented by Saint John finalists in national immigrant award

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Two Saint John-area newcomers are the only New Brunswick finalists for a prestigious immigrant award.

Saint John Newcomer Centre managing director Mohamed Bagha and comedian James Mullinger are among 75 people shortlisted for Canadian Immigrant magazine’s 18th edition of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants awards.

The awards recognize immigrants across Canada who have made a positive impact in their communities since arriving in the country, including advocates, volunteers and successful entrepreneurs.

Bagha and Mullinger are the only New Brunswickers on the list. According to the magazine’s website, finalists are selected by a panel of judges that includes past Top 25 winners and leaders working in immigrant and ethnic communities.

Judges review nomination forms at the end of the submission period — after they have been vetted by editorial staff for accuracy — and score candidates based on criteria such as achievements, impact of their work in their communities, and the challenges they have overcome.

The scores are compiled to determine the Top 75 finalists, ranked by overall results.

Bagha said for him, the nomination recognizes the work the centre has done to connect newcomers with the community.

“It clearly showcases that we have an ecosystem that is ready to welcome newcomers to a community and create the belonging that is important,” he said.

Originally from Kenya, Bagha has been the centre’s managing director since 2013. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a master of interdisciplinary studies focused on economic development and planning.

He has received several awards for his contributions to the Saint John region, including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and has been honoured as Changemaker of the Year and Most Inspiring Immigrant in the Maritimes.

Bagha said this is his first nomination for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants awards.

He believes the recognition reflects his work with the newcomer centre, which he says has helped newcomers have a voice in their community, and helped employers in finding new talent.

“I see diversity as an asset for a country,” he said. “This really spill into us creating programs from Newcomers that are innovative in nature, and that reflect the opportunities so they can succeed.”

Mullinger, meanwhile, is best known in the region for his comedy career and media appearances, including CBC’s The Debaters and the documentary film City on Fire.

James Mullinger is a comedian originally from the U.K. He moved to New Brunswick in 2014. PHOTO: JAMES MULLINGER/SUBMITTED WITH PERMISSION.

Originally from the U.K., Mullinger moved to New Brunswick in 2014 in search of a better life for his family.

He said he was surprised but pleased to be named a finalist.

“I certainly didn’t expect to be included in such an industrious list,” he said. “But I think one of the things that I love about this award it’s that is devoted to recognizing people who’ve come to Canada and want to build communities and volunteer and help others.”

During his time in Canada, Mullinger has promoted the country and raised more than $200,000 for charities and non-profits.

He said his motivation to give back stems from the way he was welcomed in the country.

“I came here expecting to have to kind of give up the comedy career that I had built up in England,” he said. “But I got here, and somehow the people of Saint John, the people of New Brunswick embraced me and gave me this life, a career that is arguably has been much better than it was back home.”

“But crucially, it has given me a sense of belonging.”

Mullinger said he doesn’t expect to win but considers it a reward to make a living travelling across the country and seeing people at their “absolute happiests.”

Bagha said winning would highlight New Brunswick’s ability to lead meaningful change.

Voting is open until June 12 and is available to anyone living in Canada. Voters can select up to three nominees per email address.

After the vote, the final 25 recipients will be chosen through a combination of judging panel scores and public voting, each accounting for 50 per cent.