French Speakers In New Brunswick

New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province in Canada, has seen a gradual decline in the number of people who speak French as their first language. According to Statistics Canada, the percentage of French speakers in the province was 41.9% in 2021, down from a historic high of 43.6% in 2006. This decrease has been attributed in part to an increase in immigration from other countries and English-speaking provinces, with less than one in four immigrants able to converse in French. Despite this overall decline, the absolute number of French speakers in the province has increased since 2016, and the majority of native French speakers continue to use it as their primary language.

French as a first official language

The majority of native French speakers in New Brunswick continue to speak it as a primary language, with nearly nine in ten still speaking French as their official first language. This is particularly true in the northern parts of the province, where there is a dense Francophone population. However, the percentage of immigrants who are able to carry a conversation in French is low, with less than one in four immigrants speaking French in 2021. This has had an impact on the overall bilingualism rate in the province, which has remained stable at 34%.

To maintain the linguistic balance in the province, there have been calls for more robust immigration policies that focus on attracting French-speaking immigrants, especially to rural communities. These policies could help to increase the number of French speakers in the province and ensure the vitality of the French language in New Brunswick. While the percentage of French speakers as a first official language may be declining, the overall number of French speakers in the province is increasing, and efforts are being made to protect and promote the French language.

French as a mother tongue

Despite this decline, the number of French speakers in New Brunswick is higher than ever before. In 2021, there were 320,300 French speakers in the province, which represented 41.9% of the provincial population. This is nearly identical to the percentage in 1991 (42%) but lower than the record high in 2006 of 43.6%. The majority of native French speakers in New Brunswick continue to speak it as their primary language, and almost nine in ten were born in the province.

French is predominantly spoken in the northern parts of New Brunswick, where there is a dense francophone population. However, the language is also gaining traction in other communities such as Moncton, Saint-Louis, and Bouctouche. Overall, about 32% of workers in New Brunswick use French regularly in the workplace.

The decline in the percentage of people speaking French as their mother tongue has sparked concern among some groups, such as the Acadian Society of New Brunswick. They advocate for more say in immigration policy to encourage the attraction and retention of French-speaking immigrants, especially in rural communities. The society's vice-president, Sue Duguay, emphasizes the need for programs that maintain the linguistic balance in the province.

While the percentage of French speakers as a whole in New Brunswick has decreased since its peak in 2006, the number of speakers is still significant, and efforts are being made to preserve the language's vitality.

French in the workplace

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada. As of 2021, 320,300 residents could hold a conversation in French, making up 41.9% of the province's population. This is up from 2016 but down from a historic high of 43.6% in 2006.

The overall bilingualism rate in the province has remained stable at around 34%, with two-thirds of bilingual residents being Francophones. This stability is concerning for the Francophone community, as it is expected to increase given New Brunswick's bilingual status. The decline in French as a first official language and mother tongue has been attributed partly to immigration, with an increase in people immigrating who have neither French nor English as their first language.

To address these trends and promote French in the workplace, several strategies can be implemented:

• Robust Immigration Policies: The province can focus on attracting more French-speaking immigrants and encouraging them to settle in rural communities. This will help maintain the linguistic balance and ensure French representation across New Brunswick.
• Advocacy and Community Engagement: The Francophone community, through organizations like the Acadian Society of New Brunswick, can continue to advocate for their rights and have a say in immigration policies. Their voices and concerns are essential to shaping language-related decisions.
• Language Training and Education: Promoting French language training and education can help increase the number of French speakers in the province. This can include offering French immersion programs and language courses for both adults and children.
• Support for Francophone Communities: Focusing on the specific needs of Francophone communities, especially in rural areas, can help foster the use of French. This may include dedicated resources, infrastructure development, and cultural initiatives to strengthen their presence and vitality.
• Collaboration with Employers: Working closely with employers to encourage and facilitate the use of French in the workplace can have a significant impact. This can involve providing resources, training, and support for businesses to create French-friendly work environments.
• Public Awareness and Promotion: Raising awareness about the importance of French in the province and promoting its use can help foster a sense of pride and encourage more people to learn and use the language. This can include public campaigns, cultural events, and community initiatives.

By implementing these strategies and continuing to prioritize French in the workplace, New Brunswick can strive to reverse the slow decline of French and ensure the language's vitality for future generations.

Immigration and language

New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, with people speaking English, French, or both languages. By law, people in New Brunswick can receive government services in English and French. The province has a mutual interest with Canada in attracting and retaining French-speaking immigrants to maintain its unique linguistic balance. The percentage of French speakers in the province has been rising since 2016 but remains below the historic high recorded in 2006.

In 2021, 320,300 New Brunswick residents could hold a conversation in French, representing 41.9% of the province's population. This was an increase from 2016 but a slight decrease from 1991, and lower than the all-time high of 43.6% in 2006. The overall bilingualism rate in the province has remained stable at around 34%, which some experts argue is not a positive development for a bilingual province.

The percentage of people in New Brunswick who speak predominantly French at home has declined, dropping from 28% in 2016 to 26.4% in 2021. There has also been a decline in those who list French as their mother tongue, from 31.4% in 2016 to 29.5% in 2021. This can be attributed in part to an increase in immigration from other countries and English-speaking provinces, reinforcing the need for robust immigration policies that take language considerations into account.

The Acadian Society of New Brunswick, which represents the francophone community, has expressed the need to be involved in immigration policy discussions. They advocate for more French-speaking immigrants and encourage newcomers to consider living in rural francophone communities. The society's efforts are supported by the Canada-New Brunswick Immigration Agreement, which aims to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants to the province and promote connections between immigrants and local francophone communities.

While the number of French speakers in New Brunswick is slightly down from its historic high, the province remains committed to promoting and preserving the French language. Efforts are being made to attract French-speaking immigrants and ensure the vitality of francophone communities.

French in education

French is an important language in New Brunswick, and there are many opportunities for students to learn and be educated in the language. French is offered as a second language in schools, and there are also French immersion programs available. French immersion registration for the 2024-25 school year will be opening in early 2024. The Anglophone sector has also developed a new online platform that offers French second-language teachers increased access to high-quality, personalized professional development and learning opportunities.

There are several colleges and universities in New Brunswick that offer French as the primary language of instruction for their students. These include the Université de Moncton, Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, Maritime College of Forest Technology, and Centre de Formation Médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick. Instruction in English for these students is mostly restricted to English class. These institutions offer courses in French across all key subject areas, and students who complete a program at one of these schools would be expected to be fluent in French.

The province also has organizations that support French-language education, such as Canadian Parents for French New Brunswick and the Second Language Research Institute of Canada. Additionally, there are initiatives like FLORA (French Language Opportunities for Rural Areas) that aim to bring French language education to rural communities.

While the percentage of people in New Brunswick who speak French has been on a slow decline, with a decrease in those listing French as their mother tongue or first official language, the overall bilingualism rate in the province has remained stable at around 34%. This means that a significant portion of the population is still conversant in French, and French education continues to be an important aspect of the educational landscape in New Brunswick.

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