Indigenous Languages Bill

Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate, I move third reading of Bill C-91, An Act respecting Indigenous languages, as amended.

He said: Considering the hour and the fact that much of what has to be said with regard to the bill has been said at second reading and also in the report, I want to draw your attention to the fact that this bill is considered quite important to First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities in Canada.

A great deal of time has been spent by the committee in studying the provisions of the bill and amendments have been made to try to improve it. A great deal of cooperation occurred with Senator Patterson, I and others to ensure that the concerns of the Inuit were brought forward in consideration of this bill, and I think the result of the amendments has been that the bill has been improved.

The importance of language cannot be overstated, and I’ve already spoken about that. It is one of the issues that most young people growing up take for granted because they learn it almost from the time of birth, through song, through actions and through listening to conversations between their parents.

For Inuit, Metis and First Nations children that has not been the case, largely because of the influence of Canadian society, residential schools and other social impacts that they have experienced. But now there is a revitalization of culture and language going on, and I think this bill does a great deal to encourage that to continue.

I want to close by saying that tonight is game 6 for the Toronto Raptors, as you know, and they have adopted the slogan “We the North” for their championship run. Many Canadians are gathered around their television sets watching the game tonight. A number of Sudbury students, in fact, are currently sitting in front of the channel at home watching the game and they are saying that slogan in their Indigenous language, Anishinaabemowin, which translates to Kiinwi Giiwedinong. Because of their growing interests in the language and their assistance from their teachers, language revitalization is a growing phenomenon in Indigenous communities and this bill will help that to continue. Thank you.

Honourable senators, in light of the hour, I will try to be brief in speaking to Bill C-91 on third reading.

I am a father and grandfather of Inuit beneficiaries, and I know that language plays a crucial role in how individuals define their identity, preserve their culture, customs and traditions, express their community’s history and maintain relations with others. Mother languages are perhaps among the strongest symbols of cultural and group identity.

The ability to work, live and access services in Indigenous languages is also about dignity and independence. It is concerning to me that statistics show the use and transmission of the Inuktuk language is on the decline.

Honourable senators, we had many witnesses who shared why the protection and revitalization of Indigenous language was so important to them. I have to say that given the significance of this bill, I am disappointed that this government left it to the dying days of this Parliament and has had to rush it through. The Prime Minister promised to bring this bill forward two years ago, before the Assembly of First Nations chiefs, and only now at this late hour are we examining this legislation.

Fortunately, the committee did a pre-study, which allowed us to move it along, and it was made clear through the pre-study that this bill as originally drafted had several significant flaws. I will speak briefly on this.

The government did pride itself on having worked hard to co‑develop this legislation, but one of the three Aboriginal groups in Canada, the Inuit, was very clear to the committee that the process had fallen far short of fulfilling the government’s commitment to develop distinction-based legislation.

It’s important to note that we have tried to address some of these oversights and problems in committee, and I am also pleased that we did good work despite the time pressures.

I would like to highlight some of the amendments adopted in committee that addressed many of the concerns raised by Inuit, such as help to ensure support for the provision of government services and programs in an Indigenous language where numbers warrant. Mechanisms to ensure initiatives seeking to deliver key services related to education, health care and the administration of justice in cooperation with provinces and territories would also be eligible for federal funding support.

I’m pleased that the committee agreed to also recognize the importance of Inuktuk to Inuit Nunangat, and appropriate funding levels based on a series of principles, including the use and vitality of a language and the objective of reclamation, revitalization maintenance or strengthening of all Indigenous languages of Canada in an equitable manner.

I do want to note that the approach of the committee was collegial on all issues, which was very welcome. I believe that the committee did truly work together to carefully craft each amendment.

Numerous witnesses also raised concerns about the lack of mandatory funding provisions in this bill. The committee’s excellent work and pre-study report did result in government appending a Royal Recommendation to the bill, enabling the department to access new money through the regular Treasury Board procedures. This was a huge improvement for this bill. And I have to say it was important because Budget 2019 proposed to invest $333.7 million over five years, starting in 2019-20 with $115.7 million per year ongoing. Many witnesses told us this is not adequate funding to do the significant work required. The committee adopted a set of guiding principles to help clarify what adequate and sustainable funding should mean.

I want to also recognize that this bill is significant in that it recognizes and affirms languages to be part of the rights guaranteed under section 35 of the Constitution.

I won’t go over the testimony of NTI President Aluki Kotierk and Minister David Joanasie of Nunavut, or National Chief Perry Bellegarde, but I do believe that we have significantly addressed many of the concerns that they expressed before the committee.

These changes that are reflected in this amended bill resulted directly from the recommended changes brought forward by Inuit and other Indigenous groups. Minister Rodriguez told our committee that:

. . . when I introduced the Indigenous language act last month, I spoke about the urgent need for it because, according to UNESCO, most of the 90 Indigenous languages spoken in Canada are now endangered. . . . It’s the horrifying result of decades of government discrimination against Indigenous people. Although we cannot change the past, we can — and we must — change the future. We have an opportunity to do this right now with this bill, but it’s a race against time.

In closing, honourable senators, it is my hope that this government honours its commitment to better the lives of Indigenous people through support for language protection and revitalization. I hope that in this race against time the minister sees fit to accept all the amendments passed unanimously by the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.

It is my hope that we take the time to do this right because, as the minister also said, this law is not for us. It is for all Indigenous people in Canada and, above all, for their children and grandchildren. Thank you. Qujannamiik. Nakurmik. Koana. Taima.

Are senators ready for the question?

Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Senators: Agreed.

An Hon. Senator: On division.

(Motion agreed to and bill, as amended, read third time and passed, on division.)