This is page numbers 793 - 819 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was services.

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Supplementary To Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not certain who would make the request; either the individual MLAs or the office of the Official Languages Commissioner. The act was enacted December 31, 1990. That was more than four years ago, Mr. Speaker. I would like to know why the official languages unit or perhaps the Department of Justice haven't developed guidelines or policies to determine when an act should be translated into official languages, other than French or English.

Supplementary To Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 799

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 799

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the requirement for translation isn't an automatic occurrence. Where it makes sense, where it is needed and where it is requested, it will be translated. Primarily, most of the requests for translations have been for summaries of legislation, rather than for specific legislation, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 799

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Premier a question. Section 11 of the Official Languages Act says "Public notice issued by the government shall be promulgated in both official languages..." presumably meaning English and French, "...and in such other official languages as may be prescribed by regulation." I wonder if the Premier could tell the House what regulations exist relating to this section? Thank you.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Return To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 799

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the draft policy and guidelines that would affirm this are still in the process of being developed. However, what has guided the government in the posting of signs, particularly DPW and other signs, is if there is a sign put up in a particular area, the English language plus the aboriginal language of that specific area is incorporated in the signage, as well as public notices. That is the general guideline that we operate under. Those are the

principles that are guiding the government in terms of public notices and signage. Thank you.

Return To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since there seems to be no regulation, even though the act has been in force since December 31, 1990 -- more than four years -- why has the government not prepared regulations as required by this legislation? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, as the Member is aware, each language component in the Northwest Territories has a different status and a different requirement for that specific region. Rather than writing up regulations for the sake of regulations or guidelines, we are trying to be careful so that when we do put in place the guidelines, they reflect things that we can do. As well, it needs to reflect the fact that there are different demands in the Northwest Territories for the various languages that are spoken. Some languages are intact and we can move ahead much easier in Inuktitut, for example, because it is used. Other areas need growth. It has been suggested that some of the work be done more verbally rather than written. These languages are in various stages of development and, therefore, the government has tried to be as flexible and cooperative as possible in supporting programs and initiatives that reflect the various language areas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 800

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

Supplementary To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 800

Titus Allooloo Amittuq

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The whole idea of having an Official Languages Act is to allow speakers of the official languages of the NWT to communicate with the government in their own language. Public notices published by government are an important means of communication. This is recognized by section 11 of the act. This section is meaningless if regulations do not exist to direct government departments and institutions regarding the translation of public notices into official languages. It seems to me that the government has not developed regulations. I would like to know, when will the government enact such regulations to adhere to section 11 of the act? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 800

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Further Return To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 800

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I don't want to object to the statement, but without the guidelines that are presently being processed...In terms of signage and posted notices, without regulations, that are taking place, so the Official Languages Act has been developed and these measures have taken place. However, I realize the importance of trying to get the policies and guidelines completed. We haven't done that. As was stated earlier, when the guidelines were concluded and when we were officially negotiating with the federal government on the new funding arrangements and the possibility of more flexibility, we knew we could do better on the guidelines. So that work is being done. The guidelines are now circulated once again and we will try to get them done. We could have put out any ad hoc policy and they may not have been the type of guidelines that would work in the first place. So we are attempting to work with the practical nature of the dollars we have and with a more flexible government approach on language expenditure. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 800

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the same person, the Premier. Mr. Speaker, section 12 of the Official Languages Act governs the use of official languages in the courts of the Northwest Territories. This is one area where I understand some success has been achieved. We now have a number of trained interpreters who can provide these involved judicial proceedings with appropriate interpretation. Much of the credit for this should go to the legal interpreting section of the Department of Justice.

In the 1995-96 main estimates, funding for legal interpreting was cut completely. I don't understand why such a successful office is subject to such a measure. Can the Premier explain why this office was eliminated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I believe the specific item the Member is asking a question on is in the budget being deliberated in this House and will be answered when the budget appears before the House.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

I want to remind the Minister that Members are allowed to ask questions, whether the subject is in committee of the whole or not, on the budget.

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, as per your comments, I would like a response to the same question that I put forth before.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. The question to the Premier asked again by Mr. Pudlat is why they have eliminated the legal interpretation budget. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice has legal interpretation in his budget and I was only referring to the fact that the budget would be coming up immediately after Housing, which will be momentarily. The question would be better responded to by the Minister of Justice.