Procedure and House Affairs Committee on March 31st, 2022

[Cédric Gray-Lehoux]

[Witness spoke in Indigenous language.]

[Translation]

I would like to answer that question. This is one of the things that guided our considerations concerning [Technical difficulty—Editor] 11 nations in Quebec. I recognize that my northern sisters' experiences are different, given that their language is relatively homogenous within their territory. Within Quebec and Labrador, however, there are 11 nations with 11 distinct languages.

We think it would add a level of complexity, and certainly a financial burden. That money would be put to better use to create places for connecting with the land and with our elders, to maintain those cultural connections, that for hundreds of years have been systematically destroyed by the institutions put in place. Without going into too much detail, I think we understand one another.

To us, it is more important that young people are able to learn their language before we invest in a system that does not necessarily represent them. We really have to give priority to creating systems for learning the language. Then we could maybe move toward recognition of the Quebec and Canadian electoral system.

It really has to focus first on our young people and their needs to reconnect with their language and their culture.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

[Member spoke in Indigenous language.]

[Translation]

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you.

Ms. Idlout, you have six minutes.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

[Member spoke in Inuktitut]

[English]

I first want to say thank you so much to all the witnesses for coming here on National Indigenous Languages Day to speak about indigenous languages. I think it's such an important topic and it's important to hear the varying opinions about our language and about the investments we need to focus on. That to me is such a huge indication of how deep the impacts of colonialism are, so I do appreciate all the different views.

My first question will be for the languages commissioner, Karliin Aariak.

With Canada's adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a few years ago, Canada has international obligations. Article 13 of UNDRIP says that countries need to make sure indigenous peoples understand colonial political processes.

Do you feel that UNDRIP has been respectfully enforced by the federal government with regard to indigenous voting?

[Karliin Aariak]

[Witness spoke in Inuktitut]

[English]

Thank you for the question, Lori, and thanks for the opportunity to answer your question.

I'd like to actually get to another article in UNDRIP, which is article 5. It provides that indigenous peoples have the right “to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.”

While Canada is making plans to implement UNDRIP, article 5 and article 13 should be focused on. As you mentioned, article 13 requires subscribing states to take effective measures to ensure language rights are protected and also to ensure that indigenous peoples “can understand and be understood in political, legal and administrative proceedings”.

While the government and Canada are committed to UNDRIP's implementation, going through this, making sure that the Inuit language is on the ballot would definitely help in the right direction. More needs to be done. I think we should especially take Nunavut as a priority. Why? Because we already have language rights in Nunavut. It's a unique jurisdiction. Why? Because Nunavummiut are expecting ballots in the Inuit language and getting information and being involved in this political process inclusively in our language. Why? Because my office is still receiving concerns regarding the electoral process, the fact that there is not Inuit language material or that the ballots are not in Inuktut.

There needs to be more done, but I think focusing on Nunavut because of its unique legal rights, language rights, jurisdiction would be definitely a positive move.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik.

My next question will be for President Kotierk.

Could you share your experience? You've been elected as the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and NTI has been holding elections with Inuktitut on your ballot for many years now. I wonder if you could share you experience in ensuring that Inuit have Inuktitut on the ballots.

[Aluki Kotierk]

[Witness spoke in Inuktitut]

[English]

I was actually going to echo Commissioner Aariak's comments about Inuit expecting it to be on ballots. It's always been a given, particularly for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the regional Inuit associations as organizations representing Inuit, that the information would be available in Inuit languages and that the ballot would incorporate Inuit languages. To do otherwise would be quite shocking, I think, for many Inuit.

I know there had been a comment made earlier in terms of Elections Canada and their mandate to serve the whole country of Canada. I think with public institutions, the mandate is to serve the public majority. One thing that I've continued to convey—and it's obvious to me often that I'm not articulate enough—is that, for instance, Canada recognizes officially two languages through the Official Languages Act of Canada that was enacted in 1969. When they were working on modernizing it, I was trying to convey that the political landscape of Canada had changed. There is now a jurisdiction where the official languages of Canada are not a majority public language. Public institutions trying to serve the public need to keep that in mind and make sure that they are meeting the needs of the public majority of the jurisdiction of Nunavut.

I think it's crucially important that all public institutions keep that in mind. I also think that it is not helpful for us to have a discussion about whether resources should be allocated to something else other than ballots. In my view, and I think in the view of many Nunavut Inuit, the expectation is that Inuktitut is available in all aspects of our lives, in all public essential services. That includes being able to vote.

Qujannamiik.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Could you share your experience on ensuring that Inuktitut was on your ballots during NTI's electoral process?

[Aluki Kotierk]

[Witness spoke in Inuktitut]

[English]

Each time there's an election, we contract people to provide the services to support our elections, to ensure there are individuals in each community who are able to conduct the election, and to ensure that the materials for candidates regarding the nomination process as well as all the information required to become a candidate are available in Inuktut. In addition, for candidates we provide an example of what the name would look like in Inuktut and ensure that the candidate approves that the syllabics are the way they want them to be written on the ballot.

I think following this meeting, if you're okay with it and there is an opportunity to provide written submissions, I'll make sure to submit information to the chair about how our electoral process works for Inuit organizations.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Thank you. That would be very appreciated.

Commissioner Aariak, even just the comments you're sharing with regard to what you're hearing show the importance of language and who can communicate with whom. I would love to hear about some of that as well, in writing, if you don't mind sharing that with our committee. That would inform very well the work we're doing.

We were going to go into other business today, but I do think it's been a very fruitful conversation and the insights that you're all sharing are appreciated by all. If it's okay with our guests and you're able to stay, we would like to do a second round of questions. I'll try to be better at keeping time so we stay a little more on time, but the substance is so important that I do think it's important that we be able to complete thoughts and get to where we're going.

Is it okay with our guests to stay? Are you okay to stay with us for another half hour or so?

That's perfect. Thank you.

We will start with Ms. Block, followed by Ms. Sahota for five minutes each, then Madam Gill and Ms. Idlout for two and a half minutes, and then Mr. Scheer and Mrs. Romanado for five minutes.

Ms. Block.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and through you I would like to thank all of our witnesses for joining us today. It has been awesome to hear the testimony they are bringing forward on this very important issue.

I do want to follow up on the line of questioning of my colleague Mr. Turnbull. He was highlighting that the Chief Electoral Officer has a mandate to address these kinds of barriers across the entire country so that perhaps when we look at addressing the barriers that have been brought forward by those individuals from Nunavut, that will open the door to all kinds of other conversations that need to take place.

I have a question for the languages commissioner of Nunavut.

I believe, Ms. Aariak, you suggested there could be a specific policy for Nunavut based on the demographics and the official languages that exist in Nunavut. It might tie in with a question for Ms. Kotierk. When it comes to something you said in your opening remarks around the need for a substantial presence or a significant number of individuals in order to provide this kind of service, we have heard various numbers suggested.

I'm wondering if, Ms. Aariak, you would speak to the specific policy.

Then, Ms. Kotierk, could you speak to what you believe would qualify as a riding having a significant indigenous population?

[Karliin Aariak]

Qujannamiik.

I'll start by answering the first question you directed to me.

The recommendation that I mentioned earlier in my opening statement is the fact that our office has had correspondence with the elections commissioner. We've had correspondence indicating where there are shortcomings. We've had correspondence on sharing the concerns that our office is receiving. We've had correspondence regarding the fact that because in the Elections Act it's not necessary to have the Inuit language in the ballots...but recognizing that there are language rights in Nunavut.

So I come with this recommendation to you, which has also been given to Elections Canada, to create and implement a policy and procedure specific to Nunavut to ensure that Elections Canada complies with its obligations. Elections Canada has obligations, and so do federal departments and agencies, that are set out in the Inuit Language Protection Act in Nunavut. ILPA requires Elections Canada to communicate with and provide certain services to the public in the Inuit language.

I'd like to go to a special section of ILPA. Section 3 obligates Elections Canada to use the Inuit language to display public signs, display and issue posters, and provide reception services in client or customer services that are available to the public. There are obligations already for Elections Canada set out in the Inuit Language Protection Act. This policy and procedure that I have recommended not only to the committee but also to Elections Canada is to ensure that they will make sure they are doing their due diligence to ensure that they are following what they're obligated to do under the Inuit Language Protection Act.

Does that answer your question, Mrs. Block?

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Yes. Thank you very much. I appreciated that clarification.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Ms. Kotierk, did you want to speak as well?

[Aluki Kotierk]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

We'll go on. Is that okay?

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Ms. Sahota, you have five minutes.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Through you to the witnesses, I'd like to ask a question of the commissioner first.

You mentioned that the voter turnout in the 2019 election was 38%. That is quite low. Of course, we want to make sure we increase that voter turnout. Let me preface this by saying that I don't think this is the only reason to include indigenous languages on the ballot, especially Inuktitut in Nunavut. I think you or the other witnesses mentioned respect for language, having ownership over the political process, and of course the right to self-determination. All those things are very important and are obligations under UNDRIP.

I would like to know what the turnout is for municipal and territorial elections currently. Could you give me a comparable for a similar election around that time, or at least for the last couple of elections?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Commissioner Aariak, are you there? That question from Ms. Sahota was for you.

[Karliin Aariak]

Oh, I'm sorry.

I believe the voter turnout number that was mentioned was from President Kotierk.

Am I correct, Aluki?

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Yes, the number was from there, but either of you can answer. I'm sure you may have material as to what the voter turnout is for territorial and municipal elections as well. I could hear from both of you.

[Karliin Aariak]

Both of us can provide written information for you on that, if you'd like.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Is it because you don't have an exact number with you today?

[Karliin Aariak]

Yes.