I would like to speak to this motion. My concerns are fairly self-explanatory and have been stated many times and by many Members in many different ways in this House.
(Translation) We are all aware of the uniqueness of the Northwest Territories with respect to its official languages. We are also aware of the importance of promoting and protecting our language and heritage. Federal funding in support of these official languages is critical. (Translation ends)
We recognize the importance of the official status given to aboriginal languages of the Northwest Territories. We know we have a special obligation to preserve them. The federal government also has a legal responsibility and constitutional obligation to protect aboriginal rights of which aboriginal languages are fundamental.
Aboriginal languages are endangered. If these languages disappear there is nowhere else in the world where our youth will be able to learn the language again. The only place to preserve our aboriginal languages is here and now. We need support in this endeavour.
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We, in the north, have also been committed to upholding the official status of the French language. We recognize the importance of a united Canada and have consistently demonstrated this commitment in the provision of French language programs and services. We require the continued support of the federal government in our efforts to respect and uphold the official language provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is a critical time in Canada's history. We are facing some very difficult issues with respect to unity. It is the wrong time to reduce support to the country's official languages.
I am deeply disturbed by the recent announcement regarding the ten per cent reduction to language funding from the federal government. I am troubled by a number of aspects of this situation. The federal government's method of determining the amount of the cuts seems arbitrary. The manner in which the federal government chose to inform the Northwest Territories of its decision disregards the good faith in which we entered into the agreement. The timing of the announcement makes it very difficult for us to make adjustments to our programs and services. This may create an unnecessary delay in approving the government's 1993-94 budget. The reductions will have a far reaching impact on the language and cultural programs and services of the Government of the Northwest Territories. An enormous additional effort will be required to rework allocations and proposals to the various departments to support their programs.
(Translation) I can appreciate the federal government's need to make tough economic decisions but I do not agree with the method used in this case. While across the board reductions may be the easiest way to reduce expenditures, it is seldom the most effective approach. (Translation ends)
If the federal government chooses to deal with their own expenditure reductions in this arbitrary fashion, that is fine. To simply pass it on is unacceptable. The manner in which the federal government chose to inform this government of its decision shows a total disregard for the spirit and intent of the funding agreement. The Government of the Northwest Territories entered into this agreement in good faith. We were counting on the federal government to uphold its end of the bargain. We believed that in signing this agreement the federal government demonstrated an understanding of our needs and our unique situation. We were obviously wrong.
It may well have been possible to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution, however the federal government has chosen to act unilaterally. I cannot understand this conduct.
The timing of the announcement will cause a significant delay in initiating approved or proposed projects. The agreed to contributions under this agreement are distributed across the entire government and territories.
It is obvious that a great deal of hard work was devoted to allocating these resources. If the federal government is not persuaded to reverse its decision, all of this work will have to be reworked.
A ten per cent reduction means approximately $1 million dollars which is a very significant amount of funding. If the federal government fails to reconsider this decision, many people in the Northwest Territories will suffer the consequences.
The programs developed with the Canada-Northwest Territories agreement funding are wide-ranging. Successful achievements can be found in school, community, linguistic, cultural and media-oriented programs. The funding provided under this agreement supports a wide range of diverse projects.
For instance, these funds have supported the delivery of translation and interpretation services. We depend on these services each and every day we sit in this Assembly. All departments rely on them in order to communicate with people in smaller communities across the territories.
These funds support communities in their efforts to maintain and revitalize aboriginal languages. Support has been provided through this agreement to aboriginal language programming on radio and television.
Programs have been developed to provide training for health interpreters and court interpreters.
Museum and heritage education programs have been developed and delivered to a wide range of citizens in the territories.
(Translation) Literacy awareness campaigns have been created to carry important messages to our youth. Our citizens have received public services in their own native languages. (Translation ends)
These programs and services are essential to the well-being of the citizens of the north. They are now being jeopardized.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has used federal contributions under this agreement wisely. An evaluation report, produced in 1991, concluded that, "The Government of the Northwest Territories acted judiciously in producing and implementing language training programs and in providing translation and interpretation services in the aboriginal languages during the period of this agreement."
The evaluation report says the funding provided under this agreement contributed to the launching of a board policy and program process pertaining to aboriginal languages.
We have laid the foundation and we need to keep building. The foundation provides a basis upon which to build a territorial linguistic future. A future where English, French and aboriginal languages have equal usefulness and respect.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is in a position to save and strengthen our languages which are still strong. We are still in a position to revitalize those languages which are in danger. In order to be successful in accomplishing this, we need to keep our original objectives in sight, have sufficient funding and have the resources to try innovative solutions.
The authors of the evaluation report go on to say that in 20 years many of these languages could disappear. We cannot allow this to happen. Aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories are still viable, however they are at risk. Experience with other indigenous languages around the world warns us we are at a critical point. The alternatives are clear, act now or lose our languages.
I encourage Members of this House to join me in supporting the Premier and the Government of the Northwest Territories in their efforts to reverse the proposed federal government cuts. I urge you to support this motion today. Mahsi cho.
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