New Brunswick MLAs are concluding a series of public consultations on the province's Official Languages Act review, with sessions held in multiple communities to gather input from residents. The consultations, which began earlier this year, aim to modernize the 1969 legislation that established English and French as the province's official languages.
Consultation Process and Scope
The review, led by a legislative committee, has included public meetings in Fredericton, Moncton, Bathurst, and other locations. According to committee chair MLA Isabelle Thériault, the goal is to ensure the act reflects current realities and addresses gaps in service delivery. “We want to hear from New Brunswickers about their experiences and expectations regarding bilingual services,” Thériault said in a statement.
The committee has received over 200 written submissions and heard from dozens of speakers during in-person sessions. Topics include language rights in healthcare, education, and the justice system, as well as the role of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
Key Issues Raised
Participants have highlighted concerns about access to French-language services in predominantly English-speaking regions and vice versa. Some have called for stronger enforcement mechanisms for language rights, while others emphasized the need to protect minority language communities. The review also considers the impact of demographic shifts and technology on language use.
Next Steps
The committee is expected to release a report with recommendations later this year, which will be presented to the Legislative Assembly. The government has indicated it will consider legislative changes based on the findings. The review comes amid ongoing debates about bilingualism in the province, which is Canada’s only officially bilingual province.
