Fredericton, April 4, 2022 – A strong majority of New Brunswickers (81%) from all regions of the province support the concept of the Official Languages Act and bilingualism. In addition, the majority of New Brunswickers (92%) feel it is important that instruction in the other official language be available in the province’s schools. These are some of the findings of a public opinion survey conducted by MQO Research for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages last fall. The new survey echoed themes from a similar survey conducted by the Office of the Commissioner in 2009.
“These results show that official languages and mutual respect between our two linguistic communities are fundamental values in New Brunswick,” said Commissioner MacLean. “Overall, the vast majority of us are proud of our status as Canada’s only bilingual province and want to continue to foster and nurture a New Brunswick where we preserve and promote the equal status, rights and privileges of the English and French linguistic communities.”
The research report addresses six major themes, including the province’s linguistic profile, perceptions of the Official Languages Act, relations between linguistic communities, language of service, language and education, and attitudes on language and society. The main findings are as follows:
- 81% of respondents support the Official Languages Act;
- 89% of respondents are confident that they can receive government services in the official language of their choice;
- some Francophones said that the quality of service they received in a provincial government office was worse than the service they would have received in the other official language;
- 92% of respondents felt it was important that instruction in the other official language be available in New Brunswick schools;
- 91% of respondents felt that second language training for adults should be available free of charge in the province;
- there is low awareness of the Official Languages Act and the existence of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages;
- only 76% of Francophones speak French most often at home, while 99% of Anglophones speak their mother tongue most often at home;
- young Anglophones are more likely to report a good level of bilingualism than their older counterparts; and
- the myth that there is a preference for Francophones or bilingual speakers in terms of employment opportunities persists.
“When it comes to official languages, it is sometimes easy to hear only the voice of the vocal minority,” added Commissioner MacLean. “My goal in commissioning this survey was to be able to take stock of New Brunswickers’ attitudes towards language and society. The overall results of this survey, with 81% of New Brunswickers supporting the Official Languages Act, are certainly enlightening and encouraging.”
Full report: Language and Society in New Brunswick
Media contact:
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick
506-444-4229 or 1-888-651-6444 (toll free)
commissioner@officiallanguages.nb.ca