Bill C-91 (Historical)

Indigenous Languages Act

An Act respecting Indigenous languages

This bill was last introduced in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session, which ended in September 2019.

Sponsor

Pablo Rodriguez  Liberal

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment provides, among other things, that
(a) the Government of Canada recognizes that the rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 include rights related to Indigenous languages;
(b) the Minister of Canadian Heritage may enter into different types of agreements or arrangements in respect of Indigenous languages with Indigenous governments or other Indigenous governing bodies or Indigenous organizations, taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of Indigenous groups, communities and peoples; and
(c) federal institutions may cause documents to be translated into an Indigenous language or provide interpretation services to facilitate the use of an Indigenous language.
The enactment also establishes the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and sets out its composition. The Office’s mandate and powers, duties and functions include
(a) supporting the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages;
(b) promoting public awareness of, among other things, the richness and diversity of Indigenous languages;
(c) undertaking research or studies in respect of the provision of funding for the purposes of supporting Indigenous languages and in respect of the use of Indigenous languages in Canada;
(d) providing services, including mediation or other culturally appropriate services, to facilitate the resolution of disputes; and
(e) submitting to the Minister of Canadian Heritage an annual report on, among other things, the use and vitality of Indigenous languages in Canada and the adequacy of funding provided by the Government of Canada for initiatives related to Indigenous languages.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Votes

May 2, 2019 Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages
Feb. 20, 2019 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages
Feb. 20, 2019 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages

Canadian Heritage Committee, on Feb. 21, 2019

  • Onowa McIvor, Associate Professor, Indigenous Education, University of Victoria, As an Individual
  • Blaire Gould, Director of Programs and Services, Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey
  • Wayne Long, Saint John—Rothesay, Lib.
  • Steven Blaney, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, CPC
  • David Yurdiga, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, CPC
  • Chief Edward John, Political Executive Member, First Nations Summit
  • Graham Andrews, Seventh-Generation Michif Knowledge-Keeper, Member of the Métis Nation, As an Individual
  • Cathy McLeod, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, CPC

Canadian Heritage Committee, on Feb. 25, 2019

  • Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
  • Ron Mitchell, Hereditary House Chief Hagwilnekhlh (Likhsilyu Clan), Office of the Wet'suwet'en, Witsuwit'en Language and Culture Society
  • Jennifer Wickham, Executive Director, Witsuwit'en Language and Culture Society
  • Wayne Long, Saint John—Rothesay, Lib.
  • Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
  • Tim Argetsinger, Political Advisor, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
  • William David, Legal Advisor, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Canadian Heritage Committee, on Feb. 26, 2019

  • Roger Jones, Special Advisor to the National Chief, Languages Act, Assembly of First Nations, As an Individual
  • Craig Benjamin, Campaigner, Indigenous Rights, Amnesty International Canada
  • Aluki Kotierk, President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
  • Cathy McLeod, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, CPC
  • Karon Shmon, Director of Publishing, Culture and Heritage, Gabriel Dumont Institute
  • Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director, National Association of Friendship Centres
  • Christopher Sheppard, Board President, National Association of Friendship Centres
  • David Yurdiga, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, CPC

Canadian Heritage Committee, on Feb. 27, 2019

  • Wayne Long, Saint John—Rothesay, Lib.
  • Ellen Gabriel, Cultural Consultant, Kontinónhstats Mohawk Language Custodian Association, As an Individual
  • Amos Key Jr., Director of First Nations Language Program, Woodland Cultural Centre, As an Individual
  • Claudette Commanda, Executive Director, First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres
  • Bridget Fanta, Aboriginal Language Consultant, As an Individual
  • Paul Joffe, Lawyer, As an Individual
  • Dorothy Anderson, Elected-Secretary, Metis Settlements General Council
  • David Yurdiga, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, CPC

Canadian Heritage Committee, on Feb. 28, 2019

  • Vivian, Siipiisai’pia’ki) Ayoungman (Coordinator, Research and Program Development, Siksika Studies, Old Sun Community College, As an Individual
  • Margaret, Kaweienón:ni) Peters (Mohawk Language Curriculum and Resource Developer, Ahkwesáhsne Mohawk Board of Education, As an Individual
  • Francyne Joe, President, Native Women's Association of Canada
  • Wayne Long, Saint John—Rothesay, Lib.
  • Chief Wilton Littlechild, Grand Chief, As an Individual
  • Gerald Antoine, Liidlii Kue First Nation, As an Individual
  • Chief Abel Bosum, Grand Chief, Cree Nation Government
  • David Yurdiga, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, CPC

Canadian Heritage Committee, on March 18, 2019