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Official Languages Act

Shirley MacLean

Report reveals healthcare language concerns

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The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick has released the 2024-2025 Annual Report.

The Office of the Commissioner received 125 complaints between Apr. 1, 2024 and Mar. 31, 2025. Of that number, 62 were admissible. 19 were based on the lack of service in English and 43 on the lack of service in French.

Sixty-three complaints were deemed inadmissible as they either did not come under the Commissioner’s authority or did not concern an institution within the meaning of the Official Languages Act.

The Office of the Commissioner also received 80 requests for information.

Commissioner Shirley MacLean said there is not a day that goes by that the issue of access to healthcare is not in the news in the province.

“We continue to see healthcare-related complaints representing the highest percentage of admissible complaints received. This includes complaints targeting both Vitalite and Horizon.”

“In December 2024, my office issued a press release outlining complaints from individuals who were able to navigate MyHealthNB in their official language (English) but were unable to access their medical test results in that language,” said the commissioner.

“Although my office continues to receive and investigate numerous complaints related to the MyHealthNB platform, the Department of Health has not taken steps to address the ongoing situation or to implement my recommendations.”

Quoting a statement from the Department of Health, MacLean said, “The health information in the MyHealth records section for an individual is displayed ‘read-only’ as received from the original source system, including regional hospitals, community pharmacies, and public health. These are official health records that cannot be modified or interpreted. As our disclaimer on our website states, this information is displayed in the language of its originator and may appear in English, French, or both.”

The commissioner explained that while medical records are generally internal work tools and not subject to the Official Languages Act, her office holds the opinion that the records constitute communication between a member of the public and the government institution and therefore fall under the act.

“I have taken issue with that position. Firstly, the Official Languages Act allows no exceptions; an institution bound by the act must fulfill its language obligations at all times. Secondly, I was both dismayed and strongly objected to the use of a disclaimer as a liability waiver. Institutions cannot opt out of their legal obligations under the act by using liability waivers, and the Department of Health has ceased doing so.”

MacLean said that in cases where technology is used to create new ways to access services, it appears that official language obligations are not considered or ignored.

Another issue that MacLean raised in previous annual reports was a review of the Official Languages Act, which she perceives as a missed opportunity to make meaningful progress towards language equality.

“When I tabled my previous annual report, I called on Premier Susan Holt to adopt further recommendations that were contained in the Finn-McLaughlin report,” MacLean explained.

“I was therefore very 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 this year.”

The commissioner said she is happy to see a second opportunity to make progress towards true equality for languages in the province.

“I fervently hope to see strong leadership and vision from the standing committee on official languages and from the Premier, who is ultimately the person responsible for the administration of the Official Languages Act,” MacLean said.

The full 2024-2025 Annual Report from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick can be found here.

Raymond_Screenshot_Languages announcement

Canada’s language watchdog issues mixed midterm review

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Canada’s Commissioner of Official Languages said recurring problems are putting minority language communities at risk.

Raymond Théberge released his midterm report on the federal Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 at a press conference in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

The plan includes $4.1 billion in funding to support French and English minority communities across the country.

“At this stage, although I remain optimistic, my appraisal is mixed. Despite some positive developments, certain recurring problems continue to compromise our communities and their future,” Théberge said.

The report highlights uneven progress in education, health services, francophone immigration and economic vitality.

Théberge also pointed to accountability issues, noting that rigid reporting requirements and funding delays leave community organizations in precarious positions.

He noted that Canadian Heritage has begun consulting communities to improve contribution processes, but warned that more flexibility is needed.

“Now more than ever, it’s time to act as federal institutions will soon begin to consider the next five‑year plan,” Théberge said.

“The choices they make today will be decisive for the future and for the vitality of our official language minority communities.”

Community leaders at the event echoed those concerns. Nicole Arseneau‑Sluyter, president of the Acadian Society of New Brunswick, said more than 1,000 rights‑holders in Saint John still lack access to French‑language schooling.

Anastasia Desroches, president of the Association of Francophone Early Childhood Centres of Prince Edward Island, described how the closure of French schools in the 1960s left lasting impacts on her province.

Théberge confirmed his mandate will end in January, making this his final report as Commissioner.

He thanked community groups and local media for amplifying minority voices, and is calling on Ottawa to ensure the next plan delivers concrete results on the ground.