Bilingual Sick Notes in New Brunswick: Getting Documentation in French or English

As Canada's only officially bilingual province, New Brunswick workers have the right to documentation in either official language. Here's how that works for sick notes.

Bilingual Sick Notes in New Brunswick

New Brunswick is Canada's only officially bilingual province under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This has practical implications for sick notes and medical documentation that many workers don't realize.

Your Language Rights for Medical Documentation

Under New Brunswick's Official Languages Act:

  • You have the right to receive government services in either English or French

  • Healthcare services through the two Regional Health Authorities must be available in both languages

  • Horizon Health Network: Primarily English-language services

  • Vitalité Health Network: Primarily French-language services (serves francophone communities)


Does Your Employer Have to Accept a French Sick Note?

Government employers (provincial, municipal): Yes. All Government of New Brunswick departments, agencies, and Crown corporations must accept documentation in either official language.

Federally regulated employers: Yes. Under the Official Languages Act (federal), they must accept documentation in either language.

Private sector employers: The situation is more nuanced:

  • They cannot refuse a valid medical document solely because it's in French (or English)

  • If they claim they "can't read it," the burden is on them to get it translated

  • Refusing a valid sick note because of its language could constitute language-based discrimination under the NB Human Rights Act


Francophone Communities in New Brunswick

New Brunswick's francophone population (approximately 30% of the province) is concentrated in:

  • Moncton/Dieppe: Large bilingual community, services available in both languages

  • Edmundston: Predominantly francophone (Madawaska County)

  • Bathurst/Caraquet: Acadian communities on the north shore

  • Campbellton: Bilingual community near the Quebec border

  • Fredericton: Smaller francophone community, but services available


Getting a Sick Note in French

If you prefer your medical documentation in French, your options in NB:

In-person (French-language clinics):

  • Vitalité Health Network clinics (Edmundston, Bathurst, Campbellton, Moncton)

  • Wait times: 2–4 hours

  • Limited walk-in availability in some communities


Online (MedLetter):
  • French-language documentation available on request

  • Same-day delivery

  • $49 flat fee

  • Specify "documentation en français" when completing your request


Billet de Médecin: Ce Que Votre Employeur Peut Exiger

Pour les travailleurs francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick:

  • 1 à 5 jours d'absence consécutifs: Votre employeur ne peut pas exiger un billet de médecin

  • 6 jours ou plus: Votre employeur peut demander une documentation médicale

  • Congé de maladie payé: 5 jours payés par année (après 90 jours d'emploi)


Vos droits sont les mêmes, que votre documentation soit en français ou en anglais.

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Francophone worker at an anglophone employer

  • Your sick note in French is valid

  • Your employer must accept it

  • If they need a translation, that's their responsibility (not yours)


Scenario 2: Anglophone worker needing French documentation
  • Less common, but relevant if your physician is francophone

  • An English-language sick note is equally valid at any NB employer


Scenario 3: Worker at a bilingual employer (GNB, federal)
  • Documentation in either language is accepted without question

  • HR departments are equipped to process both


The Practical Reality

While the law is clear, the practical reality in New Brunswick is:

  • Most private-sector employers in southern NB operate primarily in English

  • Most employers in northern NB (Edmundston, Bathurst) operate primarily in French

  • Moncton is genuinely bilingual — both languages work seamlessly

  • If you anticipate pushback, having documentation in your employer's primary language avoids friction (but is NOT legally required)


Key Takeaway

In New Brunswick, your sick note is valid in either English or French — and your employer must accept it regardless of language. MedLetter provides documentation in both official languages from CPSNB-registered physicians, ensuring you get the documentation you need in the language you're most comfortable with. Whether you're in francophone Edmundston or anglophone Saint John, same-day delivery is available.