Newsroom

FREDERICTON, N.B.: – February 19, 2004: The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, Michel Carrier, takes the opportunity to wish Radio-Canada a Happy 50th Anniversary. On the 20th of February, 1954, the CBC's French network established itself as the first French language radio production centre of Radio-Canada in Atlantic Canada.

For Mr. Carrier, the 20th of February, 1954 represents the beginning of a new visible and permanent affirmation of the French language and culture in New Brunswick. "There is no doubt that the establishment of a permanent regional base for Radio-Canada in Moncton in 1954, contributed greatly to the promotion of the advancement of the French language in the greater Moncton area and later, in the whole of the Atlantic region. From that date on, the French speaking linguistic community has had an effective means for bringing that community together and for the promotion of what it represents."

The Commissioner of Official Languages sees Radio-Canada as a significant social tool for enhancing the French linguistic community's opportunity to see itself reflected in the media and to perceive itself as a vibrant cultural entity with full participation in the building of New Brunswick and Canada. "Radio-Canada is doing its share in the progression toward effective equality and use of the French language as one of the official languages of the only officially bilingual province in the country. It is to the degree to which the French language community perceives itself as being autonomous in its means for development and to which it feels empowered, that it will more easily be able to transact on an equal footing with its English speaking counterpart."

For the Commissioner, it matters that school-aged Francophone children be able to confirm their French heritage in the environment, through such means as radio and television in the French language. The effect of this means of communications, is to support the work done by teachers in the French language school system and of parents in the home setting.

Mr. Carrier considers that Radio-Canada contributes to a bringing together of the province's two linguistic communities, since its services are accessible to those members of the English speaking community who wish to take advantage of French radio and television stations in a minority setting. By this means, they can enrich their knowledge of the French language and benefit from a greater familiarization with the French culture in America. "It is also of great import that young Anglophones who wish to learn French or further their knowledge of French, be able to access quality radio and television programs in French. As learning tools, they can enhance the teaching they get at school in the French language. Radio-Canada is fulfilling its role very well in this area and I am certain it will continue to do so."

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For more information, please contact Ronald LeBreton, Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Planning, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, (506) 444-4758 or 1-888-651-6444.

FREDERICTON, N.B. – December 22, 2003: The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, Michel Carrier, Q.C., has submitted his preliminary investigation report to Premier Bernard Lord and Chief Electoral Officer Annise Hollies, with copies being sent to the complainants.

The Commissioner has the mandate to investigate, report on, and make recommendations with regard to compliance with the Official Languages Act. He is also responsible for promoting the advancement of both official languages in the province.

In response to complaints concerning access to services in the language of choice of the persons concerned, at the time of voter enumeration and voting during the last provincial election, the Commissioner carried out an investigation involving the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), returning officers, and the presidents of the political parties concerned.

The complaints received are as follows:

• Three complainants were unable to receive service in the official language of their choice from enumerators.
• Seven complainants had difficulty receiving or were unable to receive service in the official language of their choice at their polling station.
• One complainant was concerned that some of the information contained on the Web site of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer for New Brunswick was available in only one official language.

In addition to the above complaints, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages was made aware of a number of reports in the media and letters to the editor concerning lack of service in the official language of choice during the electoral process.

Conclusions

Although the Commissioner was informed and took note of substantial improvements in the election procedures, he concluded that, during the last election, the right to language of choice of the persons concerned was not complied with as required by the Official Languages Act. In fact, the Commissioner’s investigation clearly identified notable deficiencies in the electoral process, particularly as it relates to the establishment of an environment and a framework conducive to this government institution’s meeting its obligation to serve members of the public in the language of their choice and to clearly and specifically inform them of this obligation.

The Commissioner identified several areas of non-compliance with the Official Languages Act, notably the active offer of service in both official languages, equality of access to services, the selection criteria for election officers, the selection of election officers where there is a lack of competent staff in the language concerned, communications with the offices of returning officers, the lists of potential election officers, and the obligation to publish in both official languages.

Recommendations

The Commissioner made 13 recommendations concerning the procedures utilized relating to the selection of election officers, the active offer of service in the language of choice, and the other areas of non-compliance with the Official Languages Act.

The Commissioner recommends that election officers be informed of and receive training regarding their obligation to ensure active offer of service in the language of choice of the public, and that bilingual officers be required to wear a lapel pin identifying them as such. In addition, the Commissioner recommends that these officers be made aware of the insidious and perverse effects of non-verbal language when responding to a request for service in the language of choice of the citizen concerned.

The Commissioner also recommends changes to the Elections Act, designed to: establish criteria for the hiring and selection of election officers, that comply with the requirements of the Official Languages Act; require the political parties to take this Act’s requirements into account in developing their lists of potential election officers; and give the Chief Electoral Officer, where applicable, the discretionary power to choose returning officers outside their usual electoral districts.

Time frame for responding to Commissioner’s recommendations

The Commissioner expects to receive a response to his recommendations within a period of three months following the presentation of the preliminary investigation report.

The recommendations contained in the report of the Official Languages Commissioner are aimed at correcting the deficiencies noted. Many of the changes suggested could be implemented without legislative changes. However, the Commissioner shares the belief of many specialists in the field, who believe that legislative and judicial guarantees contribute to a clearer understanding of the process, thereby facilitating a climate of mutual respect between the two linguistic communities in order to achieve real equality and decreasing social tensions.

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For more information, please contact Ronald LeBreton, Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Planning, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, (506) 444-4229 or 1-888-651-6444.

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.