Evidence of meeting #95 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was senate.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Thank you.
We'll have an unofficial round.
Is there anyone?
Ms. Tassi, do you want to go?
Liberal
Filomena Tassi Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
Thank you both for your participation today.
In my view, we've heard different testimony and opinion with respect to this being a right that we have to recognize, that an indigenous language should be able to be spoken in the House and understood. The other side of it is getting it right. It's that balance.
Can each of you comment on how you feel about that? Is the priority that we recognize the right and just accept the bumps and perhaps mishaps that we experience on the way, or should be emphasis be on starting it, but making sure that when we do it, we do it right?
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
In my experience, I think that, especially in Canada, language revitalization is incredibly important. As we continue to grow the languages and to educate the youth, I think it's very important for them to be able to listen to especially House proceedings, which affect everyone in the Northwest Territories, in their official language. I think, from my experience, that even though there are bumps and bruises along the way, allowing people to hear the proceedings in their languages is so important that it's worth the risk.
Clerk of the Assembly, Yukon Legislative Assembly
I would refer back to the ruling the Speaker of the House of Commons made last June with regard to the question of privilege, in which he talked about which services would be offered in the House proceedings as being a matter for the House to decide.
The House has to consider, obviously, what is required in order for members to fully participate in the proceedings, but the House can also not ignore the fact that resources are required to make that a reality and whether or not there is sufficient demand or requirement—however you want to phrase it—to justify the expenditure of particular resources, which could involve changes to the layout of the chamber, purchasing of equipment, hiring of personnel, as well as operation and maintenance costs.
When you look at the requirements that are faced for indigenous languages in all parts of the country, that may or may not be the best use of resources going into indigenous languages.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I have just one very brief question, a clarification, for Ms. Mager.
You mentioned that the floor language is channel one, and it's typically English. I want to clarify then. Is each of the indigenous languages that are used then translated into English on that channel as well?
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Yes, that's correct.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
I believe you mentioned earlier that the cost was in the neighbourhood of $300 to $400 dollars an hour in the Northwest Territories. Is that right?
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
That's right.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
That's not the amount that's paid as an hourly rate to the translators. I assume that's all costs in. Is that right?
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
No, that's the hourly rate provided to the interpreters.
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
Sorry, they interpret for two hours every day during session.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
That seems really high, if you don't mind my saying so.
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
It's a rate issued by the interpreters and not by us.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
Okay.
Does anybody know much the interpreters are paid here in Ottawa?
Conservative
Clerk of the Assembly, Yukon Legislative Assembly
We don't employ interpreters in the House, so it's not really an issue for us.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
Okay, maybe our analysts can find out what it is for Nunavut.
