Debates of April 4th, 1995
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.
Topics
- Members Present
- Item 1: Prayer
- Minister's Statement 57-12(7): Air Tankers
- Nahanni Ram Tourism Association Funding Cutbacks
- Negotiations To Amend The Migratory Birds Convention
- Concerns With The Labour Standards Act
- Canadian Space Agency Tour
- Implementation Of Custom Adoption Recognition Act
- Mercy Killings
- Member's Statement Re Government's In Action In Fulfilling Requirements Of Official Languages Act
- Source Of Authority Of Elected Officials
- Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions
- Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 389-12(7): Translation Of Legislation Into Aboriginal Languages
- Question 390-12(7): Regulations Re Section 11 Of Official Languages Act
- Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
- Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
- Question 393-12(7): Provision Of Funding For Services In French
- Question 394-12(7): Guidelines For Provision Of Services In Official Languages
- Question 395-12(7): Status Of Community Futures Program
- Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
- Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
- Question 398-12(7): Establishment Of Bipartite Committee On Employment Standards Legislation
- Written Question 19-12(7): Northern Preference Commitments With Nova Construction Limited
- Written Question 20-12(7): Summary Of International Travel
- Written Question 21-12(7): Proposed Amendment To The Migratory Birds Convention
- Written Question 22-12(7): Health Concerns Regarding Seal Meat
- Item 13: Tabling Of Documents
- Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96Committee Report 4-12(7): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Main Estimates
- Committee Motion 34-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 5, Carried
- Committee Motion 35-12(7): To Adopt Recommendation 6, Carried
- Committee Motion 36-12(7): Defer Consideration Of Department Of Justice, Carried
- Item 20: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Item 22: Orders Of The Day
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, 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.
Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
April 4th, 1995
Page 800
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.
Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Madam Premier.
Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
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.
Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
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.
Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
An Hon. Member
Hear! Hear!
Question 391-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
The Speaker Samuel Gargan
Mr. Pudlat.
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
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.
Question 392-12(7): Elimination Of Funding For Legal Interpreting Services
Item 6: Oral Questions
Page 800
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
Page 801
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.
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