New Brunswick's commissioner of official languages wants the province to establish guidelines regarding the use of social media for government departments and agencies.
Michel Carrier tabled his annual report today and in it he addresses the growing use of social media by government agencies and politicians.
Carrier says that if politicians are going to be using social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, they should be trying to do so in both French and English.
"Whatever you communicate as a representative of the government must be done in both official languages, if you're going to be distributing it to the general public, and in equal quality," says Carrier.
"So if you're going to use Twitter, if you're going to use your fax machine or you're going to deliver a letter to the door, it has to be of the highest quality in accordance with the act.
Carrier says there is a large grey area regarding the use of social media and the province's Official Languages Act, which is why guidelines should be established.
He also expressed his support for the government's review of the French immersion entry point, which was announced yesterday.
The review will address when students in New Brunswick should begin French immersion, and will be conducted by a task force co-chaired by former provincial cabinet ministers James Lockyer and Elvy Robichaud.
Parents who wish to enroll their children in French immersion can do so at either Grade 3 or Grade 6.
The task force will hold public hearings across the province from Nov. 1 to Dec. 14 to hear from parents about whether the current entry points should be changed in time for the 2012 school year.
Parents will also be able to give their input online next month and the task force will submit its findings and recommendations to the province early next year.
With files from The Canadian Press
