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Gallant Opens Bilingualism Discussion In Saint John

Saint John, NB, Canada / Country 94
News
Sep 26, 2016 | 3:26 PM
Gallant Opens Bilingualism Discussion In Saint John


The Premier says he’s hearing there are more linguistic tensions in the Province right now.

Brian Gallant spent some time addressing this is a speech to the Saint John Regional Chamber of Commerce.

He says social media plays a part in this calling it a megaphone and an echo chamber adding these days everyone on all sides of a issue now has a platform to express their views.

He says it seems those that may be a bit more radical have an opportunity to disproportionately change the dialogue.

The Premier told his own story of going to french schools and having an English mom and a French dad.

In the media scrum, the Premier was asked why he chose now to speak on this issue and he says difficult economic decisions over the last two years may have caused some tension.

He says asking people to give more and accept less can spark tension so the government recognized that after two budgets it was important to remind people that bilingualism is an assest to our economy and to our social fabric.

More from Premier Gallant following a speech in Saint John on bilingualism. pic.twitter.com/IIs4FXH9gv

Gallant strongly hinted in his speech that announcements are coming later this week relating to bilingualism.

Saint John Mayor Don Darling agrees it’s a good time to have this conversation.

He says there are some challenges adding the City of Saint John has been approached by groups concerned with Anglophone rights and he thinks it’s important for Mayors and the Premier to take leadership roles in this discussion.

Darling says he is using French now in his role as Mayor for the first time in 28 years and he thinks it’s important to do that.

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