Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Premier is not aware if she has made any request to have any acts translated into any of the official languages, what guidelines or regulations exist to determine when an act should be translated into one of the official languages?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the determination would be made by any request or serious need as it was requested before any of the acts would be translated.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Ms. Mike.

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.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

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.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Allooloo.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.

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.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Allooloo.

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.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Madam Premier.