FREDERICTON (CNB) - The establishment of the Premier's Committee on Acadian and Francophone Issues was announced today by Premier Shawn Graham.
"Our government is committed to the province's official bilingualism, and wishes to strengthen its dialogue with the francophone and Acadian communities," said Graham. "We want to ensure that our policies and strategies meet the government's obligations with respect to official languages and equality of communities, and that they contribute to the development of those communities."
The committee is composed of New Brunswickers, and will advise the Premier on matters relating to the Acadian and francophone communities, and the impact, real or perceived, of certain government policies and strategies.
The committee will not replace existing francophone and Acadian organizations, but hopes to broaden communication concerning government strategies.
"In fact, this committee will add to the hard work being done by Acadian organizations such as the Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick and the member organizations of the Forum de concertation," Graham said. "We want to work together in order to expand discussions on the government's strategies in relation to the province's francophone community."
The committee will also present opinions on the delivery of government services affecting the Acadian and francophone communities.
The committee's members include:
- Maurice Basque, Moncton
- Roland Gauvin, Moncton
- Lori-Ann Cyr, Saint-Basile
- Marc Duguay, Caraquet
- Wanita McGraw, Tracadie-Sheila
- Jeanne Comeau, Bathurst
- Annie Lévesque, Balmoral
- Edouard Allain, Fredericton
- Guy Richard, Bouctouche
- Monique Poirier, Notre-Dame
18-12-08