Official Languages Act to be reviewed

Release

Office of the Premier, Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick

November 07, 2025

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Government has announced that it will proceed with work on two key recommendations from the 2021 Finn-McLaughlin report on the Official Languages Act.

“In our first speech from the throne, we committed to implementing the recommendations from the report of the 2021 review of the Official Languages Act,” said Premier Susan Holt. “Today, we are making progress on that commitment.”

First, a motion has been tabled at the New Brunswick legislative assembly for the house to direct the standing committee on official languages to undertake a review of the Official Languages Act, completing its work by Dec. 31, 2026. While it is legally required for the act to be reviewed every 10 years, the 2021 report emphasized the need for a review to be conducted after five years. The committee will also be asked to address all remaining recommendations from the 2021 report.

“For the first time, we are looking at this important work to be carried out in the legislature, by elected representatives, and in full view of the public,” said Beausoleil-Grand-Bouctouche-Kent MLA Benoît Bourque, who chairs the committee. “This is an opportunity to celebrate our democratic institutions and strengthen confidence in how we protect and promote both of our official languages.”

Secondly, the government will establish a working group, led by the Department of Social Development and in consultation with stakeholders from the senior care sector, to draft a progressive and sustainable implementation plan to improve the capacity of nursing homes to provide equal quality of service in both official languages.

“We are privileged to live in New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province in the country,” said Holt. “This privilege provides us with so many advantages and opportunities, and it’s something that should fill us all with pride.”

The government has already taken steps to advance recommendations of the McLaughlin-Finn report by appointing a deputy minister responsible for official languages and establishing the standing committee on official languages.

 

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