Moncton is looking for citizens to sit on two new advisory committees to help the city shape future decisions on downtown development and bilingualism.

The downtown development and revitalization committee and the bilingualism in Moncton committees are both new.

But Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said city hall is always interested in public input and there are several other committees that are currently searching for citizens to fill positions.

The mayor's seniors advisory committee, the mayor's youth advisory committee, the Moncton cultural board, the Moncton Preservation Review Board, the public safety advisory committee and others in which members of the community help us make Moncton a better place,” he said.

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said the city is frequently looking for citizens to sit on advisory committees. (CBC)

Application forms will soon be available for the two new committees and LeBlanc said more information is available online or by calling city hall.

The city’s bilingualism committee will help city administrators and politicians deal with how to handle language issues in the city.

“Bilingualism in Moncton committee which will be defining or looking at the definition and meaning of equality with respect to bilingualism in the city of Moncton,” he said.

There are several language issues that are dealt with at the city level. For instance, Moncton decided last year not to move forward with a bilingual sign bylaw, similar to one implemented by Dieppe.

Instead, the city is offering free bilingual signs to businesses that will allow them to announce their hours of business as well as indicate whether they are open or closed.

Moncton became the province’s first officially bilingual city in 2002.