EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It notes that some courses have been offered in this regard, and encourages Departments to support Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun speaking staff that wishes to take advantage of these training opportunities.
(interpretation) I will turn the report back over for the last one to Mr. Iqaqrialu.
The Standing Committee was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the Languages Commissioner to discuss her second annual report.
The Committee was pleased with her recommendations.
However, the Committee felt it necessary to provide further input to her recommendations in areas of importance. In particular, the Committee strongly recommends to the Languages Commissioner, that she recognizes Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French.
The Standing Committee looks forward to an ongoing and productive relationship with her office throughout the remainder of the life of the Assembly.
The Standing Committee requests that the Government provide a comprehensive response to the report within 120 days.
Mr. Speaker, this concludes our overview of the report, and I move that the Report be received and adopted by the Assembly and entered into the record as read.
Speaker: Do members agree that the report of the standing committee be received and adopted by the House, and that it be entered into the record as read?
Nunavut's first Languages Commissioner, Eva Aariak, was appointed by motion in the Legislative Assembly on October 28, 1999, to a four-year term.
This is the second annual report of the Languages Commissioner, and the second year of Ms. Eva Aariak’s four-year term.
The Languages Commissioner is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly but is required under Section 23 of the Official Languages Act to prepare and submit an annual report on her activities to the Legislative Assembly.
The Report covers her Office’s activities since April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001.
The Annual Report was tabled on November 28, 2001, and referred to the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit for review.
The Languages Commissioner presented her Annual Report to the Standing Committee during a public meeting held on January 31, 2002.
The Standing Committee on Culture, Education and Health reviewed the first annual report of the Languages Commissioner.
As recommended by both the standing committees Ajauqtiit and Culture, Education and Health, the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit now has the authority to review the annual report of the Languages Commissioner. Previously, Ajauqtiit reviewed the office’s business plans and budget, while Culture, Education and Health reviewed the annual report.
This made it difficult to correlate the office's budget and activities and, as a result, the separate reviews were inconsistent.
One of Nunavut’s greatest challenges to date has been to address the language needs of the people of Nunavut.
The majority of the people speak Inuktitut, however, Nunavut is also a place where a significant number of people speak English and French.
It has been estimated that up to 10% of Iqaluit's population is Francophone.
English and French are well-protected as Canada’s Official Languages.
One of the central responsibilities of the Languages Commissioner is to receive, investigate and report on complaints from the public regarding violations of their language rights.
The language rights and obligations contained in the Official Languages Act include:
The right to use any of the official languages in the Legislative Assembly;
The right to use any of the official languages in Nunavut's courts;
The right of the public to communicate with and receive services from all head offices of GN organizations in Inuktitut (including Inuinnaqtun) English and French; and
The right to communicate with and receive services from any regional or community office of the GN in any of the official languages where there is "significant demand" for services in these languages.
The Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut exists to safeguard the three co-existing languages of Nunavut: Inuktitut, including Inuinnaqtun; English and French.
One of the principal responsibilities of the Languages Commissioner is to advise the Legislative Assembly on matters related to the government’s language policy, although one does not exist presently.
In Nunavut, her responsibilities include both the Official Languages Act and the Bathurst Mandate’s commitment to have Inuktitut as the working language by 2020.
Members of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit would like to thank Ms. Eva Aariak, the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, for appearing before them to present and discuss her Second Annual Report.
The Committee also wishes to thank Chris Douglas of the Languages Commissioner’s Office for attending and contributing to the proceedings.
The Committee was pleased that members of the public and media were able to join us to observe this meeting, which was recorded.
General Comments on the Second Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut
According to her report, the Languages Commissioner has had an "interesting, exciting, and, indeed, busy year.”
The Office is now fully established and fully staffed.
A wide-ranging discussion took place with regards to the languages used by Nunavummiut during the Committee's meeting with the Commissioner.
The Committee notes that there has also been significant media coverage with respect to the Commissioner's initiatives over the past year.
Members discussed the Languages Commissioner's activities and, in particular, the survey conducted by her Office with senior officials from each of the GN departments, entitled "A Survey of Language Use and Language Services within the Government of Nunavut."
The Language Commissioner’s office also contracted out a research project on language policies worldwide.
The Committee was a little concerned that other Inuktitut-speaking areas (e.g. Labrador, Nunavik, Siberia and Alaska) were not researched.
The Standing Committee would have liked to have seen the results of data collected on how many members of the public, if any, have made complaints or requested services from her Office.
The Committee looks forward to the Languages Commissioner's next annual report containing detailed information in this area.
The Languages Commissioner has attended a number of meetings and conferences in and outside of Nunavut.
The Committee looks forward to the Languages Commissioner's next annual report providing more detail on lessons learned and guidance for "best practices" that may arise from such gatherings.
The Committee is pleased that the Languages Commissioner is developing good working relationships with NTI, NSDC, Association Francophonie de Nunavut, Regional Inuit Organizations, the Nunavut Literacy Council, the Federal Commissioner for Official Languages, the Canadian Ombudsmen Association and the Nunavik Commission.
Highlights of the Survey of GN Departments on Language Use and Services
The Office of the Languages Commissioner conducted a survey within the departments of the Government of Nunavut.
The Languages Commissioner felt that in order to provide the best advice possible to Nunavut’s legislators and officials, she needed to do a proper assessment of the government’s current delivery of services in the official languages and the languages used in the operation of the government.
Throughout this survey, she found that, with very few exceptions, English is the working language of the Government of Nunavut.
While Inuktitut is spoken on an informal level among employees, its use for more official functions is "marginal."
The use of Inuktitut appears to be higher in job areas and in communities with higher levels of Inuit employment.
Inuktitut is spoken at work almost exclusively by Inuit and not by people learning it as a second language.
This, in her view, indicates that the Bathurst Mandate goal of an Inuktitut-speaking workforce "will not be achieved" unless targets for Inuit employment, as established under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, are met.
The survey also revealed that no Government of Nunavut organization has a plan in place for working towards the goal of an Inuktitut-speaking government by 2020.
There is no government-wide policy on language use within the government.
Based on the results of the survey, the Languages Commissioner drew the following conclusions:
English is the main language of work for all Government of Nunavut departments, boards and agencies;
There is a higher use of Inuktitut in professions and offices where there is a higher level of Inuit employment;
Establishing Inuktitut as the working language of government may already be possible in some of Nunavut’s smaller communities that have achieved a high rate of Inuit employment;
Most Government of Nunavut offices outside of the Qitirmiut (Kitikmeot) have front line workers who are able to serve the public in Inuktitut in person or over the telephone;
Written information in Inuktitut is widely, but not universally, available.
The quality of the written language in Government of Nunavut documents is often quite poor;
The Language Bureau is working well beyond its capacity.
Government departments are relying almost entirely on the Language Bureau to produce written information in Inuktitut.
This is resulting in backlogs of work and at times sloppy translations;
The Government of Nunavut as a whole is unable to provide adequate services to the public in French and is in violation of the Official Languages Act;
The Government of Nunavut is not offering enough language training to its employees to create new speakers of Inuktitut;
The current bilingual bonus policy is ill equipped to meet the current language needs of the government; and
Government of Nunavut organizations lack direction in implementing the Official Languages Act and in working toward achieving the Bathurst Mandate goal of an Inuktitut speaking workforce.
This survey was not intended as a quantitative assessment of each Government of Nunavut organization’s language use and services.
Instead, it highlights language issues within the government as a whole and presents a clearer picture of the challenges that the Government of Nunavut faces in meeting its language goals and obligations.
She hopes that this information will contribute to the development and maintenance of healthy languages in Nunavut in the years to come.
Comments from the Committee Concerning the Survey
One Member commented that the use of Inuktitut in the workplace is not taking the precedence that it should in terms of training courses being offered.
The issue of Inuktitut in the workplace appears to have taken second place behind day-to-day operational concerns.
The Committee felt very strongly that the Department of Education has a major role to play if the Government is to have Inuktitut as the working language of the Government of Nunavut by 2020.
The Standing Committee anticipates that the Languages Commissioner will make a valuable contribution to the review of the new Education Act after it has been introduced.
Education was raised because the current speakers that are being trained in Inuktitut (language-learners or native Inuktitut-speakers recapturing their language) will not be necessarily be working in the GN in the year 2020.
It is the younger generation that has to be focused on.
Another issue that was raised concerned the teaching of the new standardized Inuinnaqtun writing system.
Some Elders are not used to the new spelling system (which uses Qs and Rs) that is being taught in the schools.
The Committee noted that the Languages Commissioner's Annual Report incorporated her preferences for the spelling of names.
For example, Kitikmeot was spelled as "Qitirmiut.”
The Committee cautions the Languages Commissioner to respect the parties affected and to respect the spellings until such time as changes have been officially made.
The Committee felt that the current bilingual bonus system is not adequate.
As one Member put it, “it just seems to be a token bonus."
Some Members felt that anyone with additional official language skills should be entitled to receive the bonus, as this would serve to foster a multilingual workforce.
The Standing Committee felt that funds received through the Canada-Nunavut Agreement could be used more effectively if they were promoted more throughout Nunavut.
Funds that are not used in the end are returned to the federal government.
This jeopardizes future funding for the Government of Nunavut in the area of language initiatives.
The Standing Committee recognizes and respects the Official Language of Canada but feels that the government of Nunavut must give Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun the same importance given that majority of the Nunavut population are Inuit and speak the languages.
Finally, the Standing Committee agreed that all levels of government and the private sector should do more for unilingual Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun-speakers with respect to services.
However, the Standing Committee notes that this area is being addressed through the overall review of the Official Languages Act that is currently underway.
The Standing Committee notes that the budget for Office of the Languages Commissioner has been increasing over the years.
1999–2000 $357,816.00
2000–2001 $380,507.00
2001-2002 $429,000.00
The budget for 2000-2001 had a surplus of $75,006.98 because the position of Executive Assistant was left vacant for six months due to lack of office space.
In its review of the 2002-2003 main estimates, the Standing Committee would wish to see detailed projections for the Office, including the anticipated results of its expenditures for its activities.
The Languages Commissioner made 8 recommendations in her 2000-2001 annual report.
The Standing Committee’s response to each of these follows.
Recommendation 1
We strongly urge Cabinet to strike a working group of senior officials to begin work on a comprehensive language strategy aimed at establishing Inuktitut as the working language of the Government of Nunavut, in keeping with the goals of the Bathurst Mandate.
The working group should also consider how to improve the delivery of services to the public in all of Nunavut’s official languages.
However, the Standing Committee further recommends that the working group also include participation from language professionals and that the comprehensive language strategy and the review of service delivery considers both Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun.
Recommendation 2
We recommend that the Government of Nunavut work with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the regional Inuit associations to establish a permanent Inuktitut language commission.
The Languages Commissioner will present a detailed discussion paper on the establishment of a language commission, including possible administrative arrangements and cost projections as part of our submission to the Legislative Assembly regarding changes to the Official Languages Act.
The Standing Committee agrees with this concept and looks forward to reviewing the Languages Commissioner’s detailed discussion paper on the establishment of a language commission, including the possible administrative arrangements and cost projections prior to making its decision.
Recommendation 3
The new Unicode syllabic fonts, known as Pigiarniq and Uqammaq have officially been launched.
We recommend that the Government of Nunavut install these fonts on all of its computer systems, and offer training programs for staff on how to use them correctly.
We recommend that Cabinet ask the Chief Informatics Officer to issue a directive to all departments, boards and agencies, requiring the use of these fonts (or other Unicode fonts to be developed in the future) for all Government of Nunavut documents in syllabics.
Recommendation 4
We recommend that Cabinet encourage the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to revise its current translation policy so that it requires the use of ICI standardized roman orthography for all Government of Nunavut documents written in Inuinnaqtun.
Recommendation 5
The training of language professionals, including Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun instructors, translators and interpreters must become a much greater priority for the government.
We recommend that Cabinet consider measures, including increased funding, that would strengthen Nunavut Arctic College’s ability to deliver both the Translator and Interpreter Program and the Nunavut Teacher Education Program.
The Standing Committee agrees with this recommendation, and notes that capacity shortfalls are particularly evident with respect to Innuinaqtun.
Recommendation 6
We recommend that Cabinet request all Government of Nunavut departments and the Legislative Assembly to comply with the Official Languages Act by making their websites available in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun and French.
The Standing Committee agrees with this recommendation, provided that websites are developed in a manner that respects the importance of not delaying the publication of available information on government websites in the event of translation delays.
Recommendation 7
We recommend that Cabinet encourage the Department of Human Resources to develop a new language bonus system that would provide an incentive for all Government of Nunavut employees to acquire or improve upon their Inuktitut language skills and to use Inuktitut in the workplace.
The Standing Committee also recognizes that the Government needs to develop, implement and promote the use of Inuktitut and Innuinaqtun in the delivery of programs and services at all levels.
Recommendation 8
We recommend that Cabinet encourage the Departments of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and Human Resources to devote more resources to language enhancement training for Inuktitut-speaking employees.
It notes that some courses have been offered in this regard, and encourages Departments to support staff that wish to take advantage of these training opportunities.
The Committee was generally pleased with her recommendations.
However, the Committee felt it necessary to provide further suggestions and additions in areas of importance during her appearance.
In particular, the Committee wishes to conclude by strongly recommending that the Languages Commissioner recognize the equality of Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French.
Committee Report 002 – 1(5): Standing Committee on Community Empowerment & Sustainable Development Report on Bill 15, Technical Standards and Safety Act
I wish to report that Bill 15, the Technical Standards and Safety Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development, and that the Bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(5) and have Bill 15 moved into Committee of the Whole for today.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. McLean. There is a request to waive Rule 68(5) so the Standing Committee report can be referred to Committee of the Whole.
Since there are no nays, Bill 15 is referred to Committee of the Whole.
Thank you, Mr. McLean.
Tabled Document 087 – 1(5): Speaking Notes on Motion 22 – 1(5), Bill 22, Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act Referred to Committee of the Whole
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a document that I referred to earlier in my Member’s Statements.
They are my speaking notes that I was hoping to be able to speak to on the motion that was passed in the Assembly yesterday, and I would sincerely encourage all members to review it.
Tabled Document 088 – 1(5): Gravesite Relocation Hall Beach, Nunavut – Letter from Minister R. Nault in Response to Minister Picco’s Letter
I informed the members that I would be tabling correspondence about the relocation of graves.
This correspondence is from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and directed towards Mr. Picco as the Minister of Health.
Bill 21 - Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act  - Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Amittuq, that Bill 21, Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill establishes a plan of retiring allowances for Members of the Legislative Assembly to supplement their retiring allowances plan established by the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act.
Mr. Speaker, I believe according to Rule 67 I may take this opportunity to speak to the principle of the bill.
Is this the appropriate time?
Mr. Speaker, as members know, first of all I want to clarify that this isn’t a government bill.
It’s a House bill.
I have the responsibility as the Executive Council Member on the Management and Services Board to introduce the bill and get it through to the Committee of the Whole stage.
But having said that, Mr. Speaker, I would say that I support the bill.
We know that from a public perspective as indicated earlier today with some demonstrators that were outside and some that were here earlier from my understanding here in the House, that it’s never a good time to introduce anything to deal with the member’s benefits in respect of pay, of remuneration, pensions of any kind from the public at large.
But I think many of us recognize that after having served the 2 ½ years as members and almost 3 or 4 years now, that there are very significant hardships that many of us undergo in fulfilling our responsibilities as legislators.
We all recognize, as well, there is a difficult balance between what we face on a regular basis in trying to allocate resources in the government between different programs, between different departments and the many priorities that we have.
But one of those priorities that have to be addressed, Mr. Speaker, I would say is the fact of remuneration, fair compensation, for Members of the Legislative Assembly both now, in this first legislature, and in future legislatures to try to encourage people of the highest calibre possible to enter into putting their names in for public office.
So with that Mr. Speaker, and respecting the caucus decision of the past, this bill has been introduced and I encourage all members to support the bill.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ng. To the principle of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, in speaking to the principle of the bill I’ll refer to its objects, expediency, principles and merits of the bill as required by Rule 67.
What are the objects of this bill?
Let’s be straight with our constituents and the people of Nunavut.
The object of this bill is to substantially increase the retirement packages for members.
We already have a pension plan that is unusual in that we won’t have to wait until we reach age 60.
When we start collecting our pensions, we can start collecting our pension right after serving our first term.
The object of the bill is to change the formula for calculating our pensions so we get substantially more than under the present plan.
If I had to summarize the object of this bill, in plain language, I’d say that the object of this bill is to make an already generous pension plan even more generous.
We already have a Cadillac pension plan and this bill will make it a Porche.
Is that object appropriate for the people of Nunavut at this present time, in our present financial circumstances as a government?
I don’t believe that’s how we should use the trust that has been placed in us by the people who elected us to serve them.
We were not elected to look after ourselves.
We were elected to serve the people.
How is it serving the public if we give ourselves a better pension plan which is better than anyone else’s?
If we are here to look after the people who elected us, serving the public interest and meeting public needs, their needs should be the main purpose and object of any new legislation put forward in this House.
We all know that there are many other needs and objects that could be addressed in legislation including the budget legislation which will be before us in the next session.
There are needs for teachers, youth centres, public housing and municipal infrastructure.
We are telling many of our constituents and the federal government that we don't have enough money to operate.
What message are we sending to people with all these needs when we present a bill whose main object seems to be to give a substantial benefit to a small portion of our population?