High hopes new languages commissioner Shirley MacLean will help bridge linguistic divide
Anglophone MacLean, deputy executive director of New Brunswick Law Society, is fluent in French
The Higgs government has named Shirley MacLean, the current deputy executive director of the New Brunswick Law Society, as the province's next commissioner of official languages.
MacLean will replace acting commissioner Michel Carrier.
She is the first anglophone to hold the position since it was created in 2003.
A selection committee recommended MacLean's candidacy to the legislature, and she was appointed Friday to a seven-year term.
MacLean is English-speaking but is fluent in French and "has always had an acute sensitivity to the reality of the francophone community," said Christian Michaud, the outgoing president of the New Brunswick bar.
Michaud, who has known MacLean for 25 years, said he has a great deal of respect for her and believes she will "succeed in bridging the gap between the two linguistic communities."
In addition to being deputy executive director of the law society, MacLean also served as the registrar of complaints, which makes her well-equipped for the role of commissioner of official languages, according to Michaud.
"Shirley has always been able to hold her own. She has always been able to work in the public interest," he said.
Lawyer Michel Doucet, an expert on language rights, believes the fact MacLean is from the English-speaking community could be an advantage in her new role.
"I think she will be able to stand up to the opponents of bilingualism and, moreover, being an English speaker, I hope that it may open the eyes of some people who oppose bilingualism, that she will be able to present a positive message about the benefits of bilingualism in New Brunswick," he said.
Asked whether having an anglophone in the position might help ease tensions, Premier Blaine Higgs said it shouldn't matter, as long as the person is bilingual.
"But if it does then … maybe that's a good thing. But [ideally], it shouldn't matter whether they're anglophone or francophone," he said.
"Maybe one day as we go forward we'll be all so fluently bilingual that it just will be a non-issue. Won't that be eureka?"
Higgs is not bilingual. He is the first unilingual premier elected since 1970. He started French lessons after he won the Progressive Conservative leadership and can now read documents and deliver prepared speeches, but he has said he still has difficulty conversing.
MacLean vowed to do her best to "react independently and fairly to everyone."
I am a person who learned French late in life, so I may be an example of what it can be like for everyone in New Brunswick.- Shirley MacLean, official languages commissioner
She also hopes her personal experience, as an English-speaker who learned French, might help inspire others.
"I am a person who learned French late in life so I may be an example of what it can be like for everyone in New Brunswick," she said.
In 2016, 33.9 per cent of New Brunswickers were bilingual, according to Statistics Canada.
More than 72 per cent of New Brunswickers whose mother tongue is French are bilingual, compared to 15.4 per cent of New Brunswickers whose first language is English.
Integrity commissioner appointed
The official languages commissioner is mandated to investigate complaints under the Official Languages Act, to report on and make recommendations on compliance with the act, and to promote the advancement of both official languages in the province.
The commissioner reports to the legislature and is responsible for an annual report to the legislative assembly.
The former permanent commissioner, Katherine d'Entremont, retired in July 2018 after five years in the position and 37 years in public service.
Charles Murray, who has been interim integrity commissioner pending a permanent appointment, was also appointed Friday to the role for a seven-year term.
Murray will vacate his current position as the provincial ombud, so the search will begin for a successor.
The Office of the Integrity Commissioner administers the Members' Conflict of Interest Act, the Conflict of Interest Act and the Lobbyists' Registration Act, and aims to encourage and sustain a culture of integrity and accountability.
With files from Radio-Canada