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DIEPPE, NB – Dialogue New Brunswick launched its annual My Friend, Mon ami-e Pen Pal program for students in Grades 3 to 9 today at École Anna Malenfant in Dieppe. The program involves the twinning of Anglophone and Francophone students who are at the same grade level but living in different parts of the province. The students exchange letters as well as a video or scrapbook prepared by each class. Dialogue New Brunswick organizes the twinning process and provides all the necessary material for the program, now in its twelfth year.

Students communicate in their first language when they write their letters and are able to practise their second language when they read the correspondence received from their pen pals. More than 55,000 students have taken part in the program since it was established.

"We firmly believe that the My Friend, Mon ami-e program helps foster better understanding and respect between the province's French- and English-speaking communities," explained Carole Fournier, Executive Director of Dialogue New Brunswick.

Michel Carrier, Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, said the program is a resounding success and should be celebrated. "Anglophones and Francophones in our province have a shared history of co-operation and understanding, and the My Friend, Mon ami-e program is helping to ensure that our future together is even brighter."

Ms. Fournier said that 4,063 students in 192 classes are participating in the 2003-2004 edition of the My Friend, Mon ami-e Pen Pal program.

Dialogue New Brunswick is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 that encourages Anglophones and Francophones to get together, talk together and work together.

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For more information, please contact Carole Fournier at (506) 657-2391 or 1-866-224-4040.

A Few Comments about the My Friend, Mon ami-e Pen Pal Program

"What an unforgettable experience for the students in both classes. The students from Bertrand truly realized how important it is to learn English. They said it was hard, but they managed to understand one another."

Huguette Thériault, teacher at École Ola-Léger, Bertrand

"I was surprised to see their expressions and the friendships that sprang up?It was wonderful to see them expressing themselves in their own way and playing together without prejudice."

Denise Landry, parent volunteer, Memramcook

"I think that your Pen Pal program is very educational and fun to do inside of school."

Kyle Scribner, a student at Quispamsis Middle School

"I really liked this project too because I found some new friends."

Katherine Stever, École Place-des-Jeunes, Bathurst

Michel Carrier, Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, is pleased to announce the selection of Pierre Beaudoin as Senior Investigator with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. Mr. Beaudoin began work at the Office on September 2.

Mr. Beaudoin brings to the Office of the Commissioner a wealth of experience in investigations gained during a 31-year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Having spent more than 29 of those years in New Brunswick, Mr. Beaudoin has a knowledge and appreciation of this province and its people. In addition to his experience in law enforcement, Mr. Beaudoin worked in the area of labour relations and was also in charge of administration for the RCMP's "J" Division. Mr. Beaudoin is an experienced mediator and was responsible for the coordination and management of the RCMP's Alternative Dispute Resolution program for Atlantic Canada. Mr. Beaudoin occupied this position until coming to the Office of the Commissioner earlier this month.

Mr. Beaudoin has been an active volunteer in community organizations for more than 25 years. His belief that parental involvement is crucial to the development and enhancement of a quality education system led him to prominent volunteer roles in the school system at the local, district and provincial levels. Mr. Beaudoin has always had an interest in language rights. He is also the recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal in recognition of his continued commitment to his community.

As Senior Investigator for the Office of the Commissioner, Mr. Beaudoin will investigate complaints from members of the public pertaining to the Official Languages Act and provide reports of his findings to the Commissioner.

The hiring of Mr. Beaudoin brings to four the number of full-time employees at the Office of Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick.

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For more information, please contact Giselle Goguen, Director of Public Affairs and Research, at 506-444-4229 or giselle.goguen@gnb.ca.

Michel Carrier, Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, presented a framed poster version of the Official Languages Act to Bev Harrison, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. It will be displayed in the Council Chamber or in the rotunda of the Legislative Assembly.

Fredericton, NB – Michel Carrier, the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, has launched an investigation into the province's electoral process.

"My office has received a number of complaints from New Brunswickers who were unable to receive service in the language of their choice from election officers during last month's provincial campaign and on election day," said Mr. Carrier.

"Because of the number of complaints we have received, and the letters to the editor and other media reports we have read, we have decided to launch an investigation into whether New Brunswick's electoral process is meeting its language obligations as set out in the Official Languages Act and, if not, what can be done to improve the situation," said the Commissioner, adding that he has received the full cooperation of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

The Commissioner has decided to wrap all the elections-related complaints received by his office into one self-initiated investigation examining the entire electoral process for any system-wide problem regarding the delivery of services in both official languages.

The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick is an officer of the legislature. He investigates complaints and makes recommendations with respect to compliance with the Official Languages Act. The Commissioner shall communicate the results of the investigation and any recommendations, including any opinion and the reasons for the recommendations, to the Premier, the deputy head or other administrative head of the institution concerned and the complainant. The Commissioner can investigate pursuant to a complaint he receives or on his own initiative.

The Commissioner is mandated to receive and investigate complaints regarding government institutions.

Examples of government institutions:

• departments of the government of New Brunswick
• Crown corporations
• any board, commission or council, or other body or office, established to perform a governmental function or pursuant to an Act of the Legislature or under the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council
• third parties offering services on behalf of the Province of New Brunswick
• the province's courts, policing services
• all cities as well as those municipalities whose official language minority population represents at least 20% of its total population
• regional health authorities
• planning commissions and solid waste commissions serving an area with an official language minority population of at least 20% of its total population.

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For more information, please contact Giselle Goguen, Director of Public Affairs and Research, at 506-444-4229.