Question Period Note: Indigenous Languages Act

The Government acknowledges that there are no Indigenous Languages that are considered to be safe in Canada, and three-quarters of Indigenous languages in Canada are endangered. The Government has committed to ensuring that the Indigenous Languages Act is fully implemented in order to preserve, promote, and revitalize Indigenous languages in Canada and committed to move forward with long term, predictable, and sufficient funding to support the full Implementation of the Act.

• On June 21, 2019, the Indigenous Languages Act received Royal Assent. This legislation is historic. It recognizes Indigenous peoples’ language rights and outlines how we will support them.
• Budget 2019 announced an investment of $333.7 million for five years with $115.7 million ongoing to support the implementation of the Act.
• We are looking forward to collaborating with Indigenous communities across the country on the important work needed to implement the legislation.

• On June 21, 2019, the Indigenous Languages Act received Royal Assent and on August 29, 2019 parts of the Act, essentially other than the parts of the legislation dealing with the operation of the Office of the Indigenous Languages Commissioner, came into effect. The balance of the Act will come into force on the earlier of the date the Commissioner is appointed or October 1, 2020.
• Budget 2019 provided $333.7 million over 5 years and $115.7 million on-going to support the implementation of the Act.
• The Assembly of First Nation has expressed its concern that the Budget 2019 funding does not meet the commitment to “adequate” funding expressed in the Act and wishes to discuss the Government’s approach to funding for Indigenous languages.
• The Act supports the meaningful implementation of Calls to Action 13, 14 and 15 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the federal government’s commitment to a nation-to-nation, government-to-government, or Inuit-Crown relationship. In particular, the introduced legislation recognizes and supports all Indigenous languages in Canada and contains mechanisms to:
o establish measures for the provision of long-term, sustainable funding of Indigenous languages;
o advance the objectives of the UNDRIP;
o support the reclamation, revitalization strengthening and maintenance of Indigenous languages in Canada;
o support and promote the use of Indigenous languages;
o work with provinces, territories, Indigenous representative organizations and Indigenous governments to create effective support for Indigenous languages in Canada through a variety of mechanisms;
o facilitate meaningful opportunities for Indigenous governments, Indigenous governing bodies and other Indigenous organizations to collaborate on policy development relating to the Act; and
o establish an Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
• The Act also requires that the Minister consult with a wide variety of Indigenous governments, organizations and governing bodies on adequate, sustainable and long-term funding to support Indigenous languages as well as on the appointment of the Indigenous Languages Commissioner.
• Canadian Heritage officials have formed a Joint Implementation Steering Committee with the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council to discuss implementation of the Act. There has also been outreach to other Indigenous organizations such as the National Association of Friendship Centres and the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural and Education Centres to seek their perspectives. In addition, Canadian Heritage is working with officials at Crown-Indigenous Relations for advice on a respectful approach to seeking the views of self−governing communities and modern treaty signatories.

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