What does back-to-school have to do with Canada’s trade fight?

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This weekend, Canada walked away from a proposed deal with the United States after last-minute demands included restrictions affecting Canadian trade policy — and protections for the French language.

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At a moment when Canadians are being reminded that sovereignty, culture and economic resilience matter, there’s another investment we should be talking about: our kids. As New Brunswick families get ready for another school year, we’re also preparing the next generation for a world that is increasingly uncertain and interconnected. That means more than reading, writing and math. It means giving New Brunswick students the opportunity to develop strong French-language skills, to understand both official languages, and to have the confidence to use them in their communities, workplaces and lives.

A recent Senate report on official languages makes the case for looking at language learning as something that happens throughout life — in classrooms, communities and beyond.

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Read the full report: Click Here

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For New Brunswick, that should hit close to home. We are Canada’s only officially bilingual province. If we’re serious about building a stronger, more resilient New Brunswick, bilingualism isn’t a luxury. It’s an investment in our kids — and in the province they will inherit. So as the backpacks come out and the school buses get ready, maybe this is the bigger back-to-school question: What are we doing today to make sure New Brunswick’s children are ready for tomorrow?