Continuous declines in N.B.’s francophone population
Concerns raised in an annual report from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages included that New Brunswick’s two languages are not equal.
Commissioner Shirley MacLean says current demographic trends are concerning and confirm that the vitality of the French language cannot be taken for granted.
“We must utilize the tools at our disposal to preserve and protect our minority official language.”
The concern comes from the 2011, 2016, and 2021 population censuses, which show a continued decline in the proportion of francophones in the province. The commissioner says this should raise concern for all New Brunswickers.
As of 2021, the French-speaking population within New Brunswick represents roughly 30 per cent of the province’s total population, according to Statistics Canada and the Census of Population.
MacLean says everyone in the province has a role to play in preserving the French language.
“For the government, this includes strengthening and improving the Official Languages Act, enhancing francophone immigration targets, enhancing educational capacity, increasing immersion programs, and increasing access to francophone daycare spaces,” said the commissioner.
Francophone New Brunswickers should continue to utilize the language at home, in the community, in schools, and in communication with government institutions. Those with second-language competency in French must use it and encourage others to do the same, according to MacLean.
“When (citizens) do not receive services in a language of our choice from an institution that is required provide them, it is important that these issues are raised with my office so that we can address them,” said MacLean.
MacLean added that her office is fortunate to see collaboration with various government institutions that recognize when there is a failure to respect New Brunswickers’ official language rights and strive to correct the situation.
In the commissioner’s previous annual reports, she called on Premier Susan Holt to adopt further recommendations contained in the 2021 Finn-McLaughlin report. MacLean is encouraged by the announcement that the standing committee on Official Languages of the Legislative Assembly will be reviewing the Finn-McLaughlin report and the Official Languages Act in 2026.
MacLean says progress towards true equality is strongly linked to political leadership and vision. She says leaders such as Louis J. Robichaud and Richard Hatfield had that vision.
“As commissioner, I will be making recommendations that concrete steps be taken which will preserve, protect, and enhance the official language minority in our province.”
For more information about the statistics within this story, check out the key facts on the French language in New Brunswick in 2021.
