What we do
The Secretariat of Official Languages promotes the Official Languages Act and administers its full implementation.
The Secretariat has three main functions:
- Coordination - to provide advice and work with government institutions regarding the Act; meet the needs of the two linguistic communities; to develop, review, and evaluate the implementation plan required by the Act; prepare an annual report on outcomes based on the activities undertaken as part of the Act; evaluate the Act on a continual basis and make recommendations for amendments, as required.
- Support - to provide the appropriate support to government employees so they can work in an environment conducive to the use and learning of both official languages as stipulated in the Language of Service Policy and Guidelines, and the Language of Work Policy Guidelines.
- Promotion - to undertake public outreach campaigns to promote respect, knowledge and communication between the two linguistic communities and the economic benefits of bilingualism in the province; and to ensure regular consultation with various stakeholders from both linguistic communities.
Employee toolkit
Practical tools and examples for managers and employees to help provide services in both English and French while encouraging them to work in their preferred official language.
- Active offer of services in both languages (publication)
- Usual expressions and vocabulary (publication)
- Communication between supervisor and employees (publication)
- Writing tools (publication)
- Supervisors and employees guide to second language training (publication)
- Guide for chairing bilingual meetings (publication)
Policy and guidelines
Language of service policy
The Language of service policy and guidelines help provincial departments, institutions, and agencies meet their legal obligations.
Language of work policy
Language of work policy and guidelines help provincial departments, institutions, and agencies create a work environment that encourages employees to use their preferred official language.
Guide to bilingualism for employees
Learn how Language of Service and Language of Work policies are implemented, what it means for the public and for government employees and how it helps provide high-quality services in both English and French.
Cooperation agreements
More information
- Francophonie across Canada
- Oral language proficiency scale
- Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie
- Report on the 2021 Review of Official Languages Act for New Brunswick (publication)
- 2021 Review of the Official Languages Act of New Brunswick – Report on second-language learning
- Official Languages Act
- International Francophonie
Contact us
Intergovernmental Affairs
Address:
Chancery Place
675 King Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 1E9
Mailing address:
Chancery Place
675 King Street
Fredericton, NB
E3B 1E9
Canada
Office hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Phone: 506-453-6930
Fax: 506-453-2995
Email: [email protected]