Anglophone Rights Association mobilizes with Moncton meeting

More than 200 people attended a meeting in Moncton Thursday eveningorganized by the Anglophone Rights Association of New Brunswick,voicing concerns about the cost of bilingualismandlanguage requirements in the civil service.

The group, which wasformed last year, also focused on frustrations withthe Commissioner of Official Languages Katherine d'Entremont.

"Maybe it's apersonalityconflict, maybe it's her approach, but she's angered a lot of people, both FrenchandEnglish," said association president Sharon Buchanan.

D'Entremontcame under fire after launchingan investigation of security services at government buildings when she encountered aunilingual commissionairelast May at Chancery Place in Fredericton.

Wayne Grantwas reassigned and lost some work hours after the investigation began.

Group blames government

Theanglophone association says the government is to blame for stoking tensions between the English and French communities.

"Government is creating tension, withthe policies, and their interpretation of the policies," saidBuchanan.

Last year, the government sent a case on theconstitutionality of dual school busing tothe New Brunswick Court of Appeal.

The Gallant government argues the requirement to provide English and French schools in New Brunswick under the Constitution extends to buses children ride to school.

The Court of Appeal has started dealing with procedural issues in the constitutional reference case, with full arguments expected in the fall.

'It's not French against English'

CBC's French-language service Radio-Canada was coveringthe meeting.

When asked by Radio-Canada why a group representing English rights is necessary in a French-minority province, Larry Layton said the group is responding to there beingseveral francophone associations.

"You folks have been organizing for 60 years. We're just trying to counter you, get our rights back," said Layton.

John Graves, another member who attended the meeting, argued the group isn't about pitting itself against French New Brunswickers.

"It's not French against English, it never, ever, ever was, it never will be. It's wasted money," said Graves.