Supreme Court Rules New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor Must Be Bilingual

Supreme Court Rules New Brunswick Lieutenant-Governor Must Be Bilingual
Morning sunlight hits the Supreme Court of Canada as the court hears appeals regarding Quebec’s secularism law, Bill 21, in Ottawa on March 26, 2026. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick
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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.