Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Karen, please, never apologize. It's family first. When our kids need us, they need us. Anyway, I just needed to say that.
Madam Chair, I would like to at this point move a motion from the floor, perhaps with a bit of a preamble.
Last week, when we had Ms. Qaqqaq appear before the committee, she made some compelling arguments with respect to indigenous languages being included in the ballots. After much reflection of those conversations that we had, and listening attentively, I've spoken to my Liberal colleagues. We all agree with respect to the motion that we want to bring forward.
If you will allow me, I will take a moment to read the motion:
That, pursuant to its mandate to examine issues related to Elections Canada under Standing Order 108(3)(a)(vi), the committee undertake a study of the measures necessary to ensure that the Chief Electoral Officer is empowered to require that ballots for electoral districts be prepared and printed in the Indigenous language or languages of electors, using the appropriate writing systems for each language, including syllabics if applicable, in addition to both official languages;
That this study include meaningful consultation with Indigenous language speakers and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders across Canada;
That this study include consideration of the status Indigenous languages and the rights of Indigenous language speakers across the country;
That the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House;
That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to this report; and
That the Committee resolve to undertake this study as its next order of business.
That is the formal motion, Madam Chair. [Technical difficulty--Editor] today.
That will be forwarded to all members in both official languages.
Again, I want to stress that Madam Qaqqaq's comments that she made last week really made me reflect a lot, and I think made many of our committee members reflect. I think it's truly imperative that we take on this study and that we take it on as soon as possible.
Over the course of the weekend, I had a chance to speak to one of my brothers, who works in Iqaluit, and Cape Dorset for a number of years. We were speaking about this matter that came before the committee. He indicated to me that if we want to increase voter participation in these territories, it's really, really important that we do our part.
I know that last week we ruled it out of the scope of our study, but I think moving forward, it's really important to look at this matter seriously, in hopes that for the next election, or whenever we can, we'll be able to have their languages on the same ballots.
Those are my comments. Thank you.