Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to add my support to this motion and express my concern over the arbitrary reduction in funding under the Canada-NWT cooperation agreement for French and aboriginal languages. Mr. Speaker, our jurisdiction is unique in Canada and perhaps in the world in its official recognition of so many languages. The importance of language services and programs in the Northwest Territories are evident in our own House with the provision of simultaneous translation in all eight official languages. Even the United Nations only provides official translation in five languages.
The Canada-NWT cooperation agreement for French and aboriginal languages is to provide us with the funds necessary to implement various language projects and programs. Our commitment to the preservation of aboriginal languages and cultures, and our responsibility to provide French language services for the substantial Francophone community in the NWT will be seriously jeopardized by the proposed cuts to the agreement.
Mr. Speaker, it has been suggested that many of the social ills faced by aboriginal peoples in the NWT and across this country are linked to the disappearance of their culture and language. For this reason there has been an emphasis placed in the NWT on the development of aboriginal language programs in the schools and the establishment of the official languages commissioner. The sort of arbitrary cut that we are now facing has become all too common an action of the federal government. It represents a particularly insidious form of off-loading.
This government, the GNWT, enters into negotiations with the federal government in good faith, signs the deal in good faith, and then has the rug ripped out from under their feet part way through the deal. The last minute notice of this cut is particularly offensive. This resolution will demonstrate to the federal government our dedication to the essential language programs and services in the Northwest Territories and I hope, will persuade them to reconsider the cut in funding. I urge all Members to vote in favour of this motion, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause