Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With many Aboriginal languages on the decline and with five Aboriginal languages today with less than 500 residents who can speak it, as I said today in my Member’s statement, now, more than ever, if we are not careful these cultures will be lost.
As I referenced on February 24, 2015, with over six competing language directives, plans and strategies, ECE is, “riddled with a crisis of governance, saddled with a lack of coordination and plagued with bureaucracy.” My questions today are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister has gone on record indicating that his department is undertaking a monitoring, evaluating and accountability plan for Aboriginal languages and culture-based education, or ALCBE, and he’s doing this later this spring. As comforting as it sounds, the Minister has had ample time to evaluate where the over $15 million is distributed annually via his department.
Can the Minister provide reference if there are indeed signed contribution agreements and performance agreements in place for competing Aboriginal language boards and will he table them in the House? Thank you.