Shirley MacLean is the Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick. (supplied by GNB)
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has released its annual report for April 2020 to March 2021.
During a news conference, Shirley MacLean, commissioner of Official Languages said the office received 56 complaints or inquires regarding COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic touches all of our lives, and both of our linguistic communities have the right to hear the same message, it’s not only a right, but it’s also a sign of respect.”
Some of the complaints regarding COVID-19 included deficiencies in interprovincial borders, service in French about the New Brunswick Travel Registration Program, and COVID-19 safety signage only in English in the changing rooms at the Moncton Hospital.
The healthcare system was addressed during the news conference, and MacLean shared a complaint from a family who sought care at the Miramichi Regional Hospital in December 2020.
“A member of the family who is a unilingual Francophone was admitted to the hospital since the person treating the patient couldn’t speak French, another family member was required to act as an interpreter.”
“During the patient hospitalization other members of the patient’s family received calls from hospital staff in English only, and were told there were no bilingual employees to help them,” MacLean continued.
“When they would call the hospital there was no act to offer service, and told, ‘sorry, I do not speak French,” said MacLean.
The Horizon Health Network must offer services in both official languages.
“In this case, the complainant wondered whether the unilingual Francophone family member received the necessary care, given the nurses and doctors carrying for the patient could not speak French,” mentioned MacLean.
As a result, the institution has implemented several measures, including, verifying and reviewing linguistic contingency plans, making an inventory of the linguistic resources offered by the institution, as well as holding an information session on the importance of providing services in the official language of preference for patients and members of the public.
Other complaints in the report, involved tourism, police service, and Service New Brunswick.
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