New Brunswick's Bilingualism: A Historical Legacy

New Brunswick is the only Canadian province with legal bilingual status, where English and French have been the official languages of the provincial government since 1969. The Canadian Constitution makes specific mention of New Brunswick's bilingual status and defines the spirit of implementation as one based on both community and individual rights. The evolution of individual bilingualism seems to be slowing down within the Canadian population as a whole and even stagnating, if not decreasing, in certain parts of the country, including New Brunswick.

New Brunswick is the only Canadian province with legal bilingual status

The historical roots of New Brunswick's bilingualism can be traced back to the presence of both English and French settlers in the region. The first European settlers in the area were the Acadians, who were descendants of French settlers and Indigenous peoples of Acadia, a former French colony in what is now Nova Scotia. Following their expulsion by the British in 1755, some Acadians eventually returned to the Maritime provinces, including New Brunswick. Meanwhile, many English-speaking Canadians in New Brunswick are descended from Loyalists who fled the American Revolution.

Today, New Brunswick has a relatively even split between French and English speakers, with a majority English-speaking population and a substantial French-speaking minority, mostly of Acadian origin. The province's bilingual status is reflected in various aspects of daily life, including healthcare networks, school systems, universities, and media. Additionally, New Brunswick has a relatively high proportion of people who can speak both official languages, with about 34% of the population reporting the ability to speak both English and French.

Language policy remains a significant issue in New Brunswick's society and politics. There are recurring debates and discussions regarding the interpretation of the provincial bilingualism policy, duality, and the specifics of its implementation. The French-speaking community advocates for full funding of French-language public services and fair representation in public sector employment. On the other hand, some Anglophones and Francophones have concerns about the financial efficiency of the duality system and the potential impact of bilingualism requirements on their job prospects in the public sector.

The province's bilingual status is enshrined in both provincial and federal law

The province of New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada. Its bilingual status is enshrined in both provincial and federal law. The Canadian Constitution recognises and guarantees the equal status of French and English in New Brunswick, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms contains several New Brunswick-specific articles that mention the province in each section relating to language.

The first Official Languages Act of New Brunswick was adopted in 1969, making English and French the two official languages of the province with equal status in all provincial government institutions. This law was replaced in 2002 by a new Official Languages Act, which created an Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of New Brunswick. The Commissioner's mandate is to apply the Official Languages Act in governmental institutions and promote bilingualism in the province.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, added to the Constitution of Canada in 1982, further entrenched the official bilingualism of New Brunswick. Section 16 of the Charter specifically mentions New Brunswick, and in 1993, Section 16.1 was added to guarantee the equality of English and French-speaking residents of the province.

The Official Languages Act of 2002 guarantees that various institutions in New Brunswick must provide and actively offer services in both French and English. These include provincial government departments, the New Brunswick Legislature, the justice system, cities and municipalities with a significant minority language population, and the health system.

New Brunswick's bilingual status is unique in Canada and is protected by both provincial and federal legislation, ensuring that English and French have equal status in the province's government institutions and services.

The evolution of individual bilingualism seems to be slowing down within the Canadian population

Bilingualism in Canada has seen a recent slowdown in its evolution, with the rate of bilingualism decreasing slightly between 2001 and 2011, after four decades of steady growth. This trend is particularly evident in certain parts of the country, including New Brunswick, where it seems to be stagnating, if not decreasing. This historical change warrants further examination, especially considering that New Brunswick is the only province in Canada with legal bilingual status, recognising English and French as its official languages since 1969.

The evolution of individual bilingualism in Canada is influenced by various factors, including second-language learning and international immigration. One key factor is the decline in enrolment in French-as-a-second-language (FSL) courses in public schools outside Quebec. While enrolment in French immersion programs has increased, enrolment in regular FSL programs has decreased. This has resulted in a lower level of exposure to FSL programs for students outside Quebec, impacting their bilingualism rates.

Another factor is the growing proportion of non-bilingual immigrants within the total population. Immigrants now constitute the main factor behind population growth in Canada, and over 80% of them have neither English nor French as their mother tongue. This has contributed to the decline in the overall rate of bilingualism, especially outside Quebec, as the rate of bilingualism among immigrants outside the province remains low, at approximately 6%.

The concentration of the bilingual population in Canada is also worth noting. In 2011, more than 80% of the bilingual population resided in Quebec or Ontario, despite these two provinces accounting for only 62% of the total population. This concentration reflects the existence of a 'bilingual belt', which includes parts of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick, where there is frequent contact between Anglophones and Francophones.

While bilingualism in Canada faces challenges, it continues to be valued and promoted. Efforts such as the Official Languages Act of 1969 and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms of 1982 legally entrench the equality of English and French, ensuring Canadians' right to education in their native tongue. Additionally, initiatives like French immersion programs aim to boost bilingualism rates among graduates. However, the evolution of individual bilingualism in Canada, particularly in New Brunswick, requires continued attention and support to ensure the preservation and promotion of both official languages.

The French-speaking community continues to advocate for full funding of French-language public services

New Brunswick is the only province in Canada with legal bilingual status, where English and French have been the official languages of the provincial government since 1969. The French-speaking community in New Brunswick continues to advocate for full funding of French-language public services and fair representation in public sector employment. This is because the French-speaking community, which makes up a substantial minority in the province, believes that the duality of the system of parallel French and English-speaking public services is essential to preserving their cultural heritage and specific institutions.

The Canadian Constitution recognises the bilingual status of New Brunswick and defines the spirit of implementation as one based on both community and individual rights. This means that while individuals have the right to use their language, the two official language communities must also have their specific institutions upheld. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms further emphasises this by declaring that the French and English-speaking communities in New Brunswick have equal rights and privileges, including community-specific educational and cultural institutions.

The French-speaking community's advocacy for full funding of French-language public services is particularly important in the context of historical injustices. For example, the adoption of Regulation 17 in 1912 by the government of Ontario forbade the use of French as a language of school instruction. This was challenged in court by the activist organisation ACFÉO and eventually repealed in 1927. However, it was not until 1968 that the Ontario government officially recognised the existence of French-language schools in the province.

The ongoing advocacy for full funding of French-language public services in New Brunswick reflects the community's commitment to preserving their language, culture, and institutions. It also highlights the unique linguistic landscape of the province, where both English and French-speaking communities have strong representation and work towards mutual understanding and respect.

The increase in bilingualism in New Brunswick might be due to the gradual assimilation of francophones

The latest census data from Statistics Canada revealed a notable increase in the rate of bilingualism in New Brunswick, which now stands at 34% of the population, a 0.8% increase since 2011. This increase has sparked concerns among some francophone organizations, including Dion's group, about the potential assimilation of francophones into the English-speaking majority.

The data shows that while English remains the dominant mother tongue in New Brunswick, with 473,825 people identifying it as their first language, there has been a slight decrease in the number of people with French as their mother tongue, from 233,530 in the previous census to 230,005 in 2016. This decrease in the number of francophones in New Brunswick could be attributed to various factors, including economic challenges and emigration, as mentioned by Dion.

To address these concerns and ensure the protection of the French language, Dion proposes addressing economic challenges in rural areas, increasing the number of French immigrants, and implementing effective policies to support the French-speaking community.

Furthermore, the evolution of bilingualism in New Brunswick has been influenced by historical factors, such as the expulsion of Acadians by the British in 1755, which led to the exile of Acadian residents. Additionally, the Canadian Constitution and the Official Languages Act have played a significant role in promoting bilingualism and ensuring the equality of English and French in the province.

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