The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick must be able to perform their functions in both official languages. In a 6-3 decision, the court says appointing a lieutenant-governor who can’t communicate in both official languages violates the section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms stating that English and French have equal status in New Brunswick. The ruling rejects a Court of Appeal decision that had said while it is desirable for the province’s lieutenant-governor to be bilingual,
the Constitution doesn’t impose such a requirement. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Richard Wagner says the equality of English and French in New Brunswick must be reflected in the lieutenant-governor’s personal ability to speak and to represent the institution in each official language. The Acadian Society of New Brunswick had challenged the appointment of Brenda Murphy as lieutenant-governor in 2019 by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau. The society had argued Murphy’s nomination violated the right to communicate with and receive services from the government in
either official language.
Supreme Court of Canada, lieutenant-governor, New Brunswick, bilingual, English, French, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Richard Wagner, Brenda Murphy, Acadian Society of New Brunswick, Justin Trudeau
So basically they forced the governor to know both languages? Seems common sense.
I don’t get why this is even a Supreme Court thing. Like the job is bilingual for New Brunswick, right? Also Trudeau really can’t stop making everything a political fight.
Wait, lieutenant-governor… isn’t that like a governor’s assistant? If so, why does it matter which language they speak as much as, I dunno, policies? But I guess Canada is serious about the English/French thing.
Brenda Murphy got challenged in 2019 and now the Supreme Court says bilingual or else. Sounds like they’re rewriting the constitution through lawsuits, not voting. I’m not even from New Brunswick but half this feels like a power grab by whoever keeps track of “official languages.” Also 6-3 is close so it’s not like everyone agrees.