Question Period Note: Appointments to the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

The Indigenous Languages Act establishes the independent Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and provides for the appointment of a Commissioner, and up to three Directors, of Indigenous Languages. The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages is an independent organization, arm’s length from the Crown. The Commissioner is Chief Executive Officer and has control and management of all matters connected with the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.

• The Indigenous Languages Act is historic and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages.
• The establishment of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages achieves a concrete milestone in the implementation of the Act. The Commissioner and Directors will provide important support to Indigenous peoples in advancing their Indigenous language goals.
• On June 14, 2021, I was pleased to announce the appointment of the first Commissioner and Directors of Indigenous Languages. I am confident each of these individuals possess the strengths, attributes and competencies needed to make the Office a success.

• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Calls to Action in 2015, which included a call for the “Federal Government” to appoint, in consultation with Aboriginal groups, an Aboriginal Languages Commissioner” (Call to Action 15). Under this Call to Action, the Commissioner was intended to help promote Indigenous languages and report on the adequacy of federal funding for Indigenous languages initiatives.
• This Call to Action has been addressed by the Indigenous Languages Act (the Act), which establishes the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and provides for the Governor in Council appointment of a Commissioner and up to three Directors.
• The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (the Office) has the mandate and powers to: support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages; provide culturally appropriate dispute resolution services and review complaints; promote public awareness of the richness and diversity of Indigenous peoples; support community assessments, research and the innovative use of new technologies; and provide an annual report on the use and vitality of Indigenous languages in Canada and the adequacy of funding provided by the Government of Canada for Indigenous languages.
• As required by the Act, the Minister of Canadian Heritage consulted with a variety of Indigenous governments and other Indigenous governing bodies and a variety of Indigenous organizations prior to recommending the appointment of a Commissioner and Directors. In addition, the Minister sought comments to ensure that the Directors have the ability to represent the interests of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
• In the Fall of 2020, 26 virtual consultation sessions were held with Indigenous groups from across Canada on the implementation of the Act. The consultations focused on the Office and the development of an Indigenous Languages Funding Model. With respect to the Office, participants provided feedback on the main roles and responsibilities of the Office, early priorities and desired qualities and qualifications for appointees to the Office.
• Order in Council 2019-1289 fixed the coming into force of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages at October 1, 2020, or on the date on which the Commissioner is appointed, whichever comes first. The government’s goal was to have the Commissioner and Directors in place as quickly as possible.
• The appointment process was led by the Privy Council Office, and included the establishment of a Selection Committee to assess and identify highly qualified candidates. A modified Selection Committee was established to reflect the unique nature, scope and role of the Office and the Commissioner and Directors, and included First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation representatives. This ensured the selection of the Commissioner and Directors was directly informed by Indigenous perspectives.
• The Notice of Appointment Opportunity was posted on the Governor in Council Appointments website on December 7, 2020. The Application Review Date was extended from January 11, 2021 to January 25, 2021, taking into account the posting just prior to the holidays and allowing potential candidates additional time to apply.
• An extensive outreach strategy was implemented, starting with the consultations in the fall, in an effort to promote the positions and encourage qualified individuals to apply. The strategy included an early email blast (and subsequent reminder email) to more than 1600 recipients and various social media posts, notifying Indigenous organizations and individuals of the posting of the Notice of Appointment Opportunity and encouraging recipients to share amongst their networks. Indigenous media, including community radio and newspapers have also been targeted. In addition, National Indigenous Organizations conducted their own outreach and awareness activities.
• Following a robust and comprehensive selection process wherein the Selection Committee assessed each applicant, a list of highly-qualified individuals was provided to the Minister from whom to select a Commissioner and three Directors.
• Although many of the candidates put forward to the Minister for consideration were Indigenous language speakers, none were proficient in both official languages. The Minister undertook a series of consultations across the country with regard to the appointment of the Commissioner and Directors, seeking feedback on the key qualities and attributes that appointees to these key positions should possess. Overwhelmingly, participants called for a Commissioner who is Indigenous and bilingual in an Indigenous language, and in either English or French. For participants, it was important that the appointees for these positions are fluent in an Indigenous language or, at a minimum, have some knowledge of an Indigenous language.
• The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages is independent of the Crown and is focused on the promotion and revitalization of Indigenous languages. The Commissioner, Directors and employees of the OCIL are not federal public servants. In assessing each applicant, the selection committee considered proficiency (the ability to speak and/or write and/or understand) in an Indigenous language, and English or French.
• Dr. Ron Ignace is appointed Commissioner. Dr. Ignace is a member of the Skeetchestn Indian Band, Secwépemc Nation, British Columbia. The Directors are Ms. Joan Greyeyes, First Nations, from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan; Mr. Robert Watt, Inuit, from Makivik, Quebec; and Ms. Georgina Liberty, Métis, from Manitoba.
• The Commissioner and Directors chosen each represent unique strengths that will serve the interests, needs, and future direction of the Office. Collectively, their knowledge, expertise and leadership is extensive.
• The Notice of Appointment Opportunity and subsequent media release was translated into nine Indigenous languages – Inuktitut (North Baffin), Michif Cree, Michif French, Western Ojibway, Plains Cree, Oji-Cree, Dene and Innu and Mik’maq.

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