On Monday, New Brunswickers will finally know what the revision of the Official Languages Act has led to. Prime Minister Blaine Higgs, who promised an official language bill in the autumn, waited until the last minute to deliver the goods.
What should we expect from this revised law on official languages? Few things, really. For months, if not years, the Prime Minister – often in unsubtly ways – has been telling people to lower their expectations.
The strategy was particularly visible this fall. For weeks, the government has given the impression that it is ready to reverse the hardships won by the francophones.
Here are some examples:
It is in this climate of mistrust that the most influential Acadian minister of this government, Daniel Allain, felt the need to write a letter to his leader to clearly establish his limits on linguistic issues.
The gesture is unprecedented: communications between a minister and his boss are rarely so formal. It is clear that with this gesture, Minister Allain also wanted (and above all?) to reassure the French-speaking population of the values that inspire them.
It is therefore Monday that we will know which footprint Blaine Higgs leave on the law on official languages. Many people are holding their breath to see what the new version of the law will be.
Somehow the Prime Minister has managed to keep expectations low. Anything that isn’t a setback can be celebrated as a victory. This is probably where Blaine Higgs he will have succeeded better in his game.
