Bilingualism, Duality – and duplication.
Bilingualism and Duality are not the same thing, but both have a place in building the future of this province.
Duplication is something else. Let’s be clear in our terms. It is easy to get confused – or be misled. We root out duplication, it is simply wasteful. But bilingualism is part of who we are.
New Brunswickers are proud of their heritage and bilingualism has long been a part of how we define ourselves. We have worked hard to ensure rights, and I salute the untiring efforts of many leaders who have contributed. We still have a long way to go to make the most of our potential.
The cost of bilingualism in New Brunswick are small – the benefits are immense.
I am a member of a working group under NB2026 which is proposing a provincial language strategy for the future of New Brunswick. We would welcome your input.
I was also years ago a member of the team that worked to ensure the entrenchment of the equality of status of our official languages in New Brunswick including the right to distinct educational institutions.
These are not just rights, they are building blocks for our future.
The right to distinct educational and cultural institutions is key to our future development, and in some areas duality is an effective and practical way of ensuring that we continue to develop. There is the matter of being served in your first language – that we understand. There is also the possibility of working and developing a career without always choosing one language over the other. We need to focus on how we want to progress as a unique province in a multi-linguistic world.
Unfortunately, controversy has developed in some quarters over the practical issue of school bussing in selected areas. Fortunately, the Government has referred to the court for a reference case to help us understand and determine what the constitutional statements mean and how we should be guided in our decisions.
I am not of first language French but I understand the quest and fears of many that worry about infringement of any hard-won gains.
I support the presence and advantage of distinct educational institutions. I must confess that when we were working to best entrench this principle, I do not recall the intention this should extend to bussing, though in most applications we should and do provide this service.
It is a fact that in New Brunswick and elsewhere that there are many methods to get to school, including, bussing, using public transit, transportation in private cars, and walking.
To me what has to be of primary importance is the quality of experience that students are receiving once they enter our schools.
The Supreme Court in its previous decisions has provided some guidance in saying that where a local board has been established it is up to the board, as it represents the official language community, to decide what is more appropriate in a setting. The courts will help us further determine how we should interpret the right to distinct institutions. In the current environment district educational councils have been making decisions, as they should, based on aims and practicality.
The larger issues of our bilingualism need to be explored and I welcome the signal of the government and others that we are considering what additional initiatives we should pursue. We have every reason to be a shining example. Indeed I was pleased to note that Québec Premier Philippe Quillard, in addressing the Ontario Legislature this week, put emphasis on the value of teaching French in every province. It is an advantage Canadians could have, and surely New Brunswick will be a leader in giving our kids a leg up as they make their way in a modern world.
Don Dennison
NB2026 Working Group and former Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
