Question Period Note: Supplementary estimates B for Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program

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 fully implementing the Indigenous Languages Act in order to preserve, promote and revitalize Indigenous languages in Canada, with long-term predictable and sufficient funding to support the implementation of the Act.

• Indigenous languages are a foundation for culture, identity and belonging.
• In Budget 2021, our Government provided an additional $275 million over five years to support the ongoing community based efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages.
• The $32.8 million in Supplemental funding will be used to support community-driven Indigenous language activities, as well as a Nunavut Tripartite Agreement and an agreement with the Nisga’a Lisims Government.

• Combined with the 2019 funding, this investment has allowed Canadian Heritage to provide over $60 million in funding for over 170 projects in support of Indigenous languages in 2021-22.

• There are approximately 90 Indigenous languages in Canada, many of which are unique to Canada and are a key element of Indigenous identity. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, 75% of these languages are endangered.
• On June 21, 2019, the Indigenous Languages Act (the Act) received Royal Assent, with the overall purpose of supporting the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen Indigenous languages.
• Budget 2021 provided $275 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, and $2 million ongoing, to further support the implementation of the Act. This funding includes:
o Stream 1: $176.4 million in Grants and Contributions (vote 5) and $3.6 million in Operating Funds to support salary and operating expenditures (vote 1) over three years starting in 2021-22.
o Stream 2: $86.8 million in vote 5 and $2.1 million in vote 1 over three years, starting in 2021-22, for agreements under the Act; and
o Stream 3: $2 million ongoing, in vote 5 starting in 2023-24, for engagement with National Indigenous Organizations on the ongoing implementation of the Act.
• These investments are in addition to the Budget 2019 Indigenous languages investment of $333.7 million over five years, and $115.7 million ongoing. Budget 2019 funding provided new investments to support the Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program and to support the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
• The Supplementary Estimates (B) exercise is to access Budget 2021 funding for fiscal year 2021-2022 and includes:
o $28.8 million in vote 5 and $1.8 million in vote 1 for the Indigenous Languages and Culture Program under Stream 1, and
o $4 million in vote 5 and $0.7 million in vote 1 for two existing agreements under Stream 2.
• The Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program includes a number of components which support Indigenous languages, northern broadcasting, territorial language accords, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Indspire’s scholarships and youth initiatives. The Indigenous Languages Component is the largest component, and supports community-driven initiatives to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen Indigenous languages.
• Combined with Budget 2019 funding, the $28.8M Supplementary Estimates B funding has supported over 170 projects under the Indigenous Languages Component to date, including language immersion programming, language and culture camps, mentor-apprentice programs and the development of resources and documentation.
• Budget 2021 Stream 2 funding for agreements supports Sections 8 and 9 of the Act, which allow for agreements with Indigenous governments and organizations, provinces and territories, to support Indigenous languages programs and services, coordinate efforts to efficiently and effectively support Indigenous languages or meet the purposes of the Act.
• $4M of the Supplementary Estimates B funding will support two agreements that PCH is currently piloting:
o a Tripartite Agreement in Nunavut ($42M over 5 years) that supports the Nunavut Teacher Education Program to increase the number of Inuktut-speaking Inuit educators; and
o an agreement with the Nisga’a Lisims Government ($6M over 6 years) to collect information, maintain and strengthen the Nisga’s language within the nation.
• Further Section 8 and 9 agreements are being negotiated and are expected to be concluded in 2022-23. Upon approval to sign these agreements, PCH will seek to access further Budget 2021 Stream 2 funding to support their implementation.

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