Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my hon. colleague for what I think is a very principled position.
I think all of us in the House really want to see indigenous languages preserved, protected and enhanced across the whole country. However, we in this party share those concerns that the legislation before us mystifyingly leaves out Inuit languages. In a bill that is supposed to include indigenous languages, it would not require the indigenous languages commissioner to even be indigenous, makes no reference to UNDRIP and has some significant, serious flaws. Therefore, we will join with him in opposing the bill, quite reluctantly. Of course, we would like to see indigenous language legislation passed.
How is it possible for a federal government to bring forward legislation to this place to deal with indigenous languages and exclude the Inuit languages?