Serge Rousselle decides dual busing question for court

The New Brunswick government has framed the legal question it will ask the province'sCourt of Appeal to determine whether separatebuses need to be used to transportanglophone andfrancophone students.

Education Minister Serge Rousselle, who's also the province'sAttorney-General, saysthe court will be asked to rule on whetherNew Brunswick has a constitutional obligation to "provide distinct school transportation in relation to one or the other official language."

He did not know when the appealcourt will hear the matter.

"We look forward to having the Court of Appeal clarify our obligations so that we respect the rule of law, and offer any other guidance that it deems appropriate in terms of how this should be accomplished," Rousselle said in a statement.

In March, the Education Department confirmed there were 92francophoneand anglophone students travelling on mixed buseswhichignited public debate over duality.

Rousselle says it will also be up to the court to decide if any interveners will be allowed to make presentations in the case.