Debates of February 15, 2005 (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House again today because I’m concerned about a news story I read today with regard to someone being reprimanded for the usage of French. Mr. Speaker, French is an official language not just in the Northwest Territories, but in Canada. Mr. Speaker, languages should never just be tolerated, but they should be celebrated. The respect for language goes much more beyond a household, it must be acknowledged publicly. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier of the Northwest Territories is what is the Premier’s position and the government’s position on the usage of official languages, both territorial as well as national, in our bureaucracy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I’m going to refer that question to the Minister responsible for official languages. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government supports the use of people's first languages as much as possible. We want people to be able to celebrate their language and culture, and it is the position of the government that people should be able to use their language with people around them. Of course, if there’s a situation at work that requires that everybody understands what is going on, we would expect that there would be use of a common language. But we do respect the use of all languages in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my household, we speak approximately four languages, three languages of Chinese -- one would be Cantonese -- and, of course, English, because that is the main one I understand. Mr. Speaker, Canada is a melting pot of acceptance. It is kind of like a secret recipe of culture, but when you start throwing out the right to use one’s language, it is like revealing the recipe or throwing out an important element of that recipe. Mr. Speaker, my first question was not answered. What is the Premier’s position on the usage of the official languages in the Northwest Territories, as well as our national languages? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier referred your line of questioning to the Minister responsible for official languages. I don’t think the Premier has to give his official opinion on this, so I will ask you to rephrase your question, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Premier have a position on usage of official languages, not the language Minister?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t speak for the Premier personally, but I can speak for the government’s position, and, therefore, that of the Premier and of all the Members of this government, that people are and should be encouraged to use their first language whenever possible.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I will focus my question to the Premier, and he can forward it thereon in. Does the government have a policy to discourage people to use their first language?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Premier has already referred the questions to the Honourable Mr. Dent, so you will refrain from addressing the questions to the Premier. Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

If I can reword my question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment acknowledge if we have a policy that discourages people from using their language of choice, also noted as an official language of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Minister responsible for official languages, I don’t think this government has any policy discouraging the use of any languages, whether they are official or not, in the Northwest Territories. I think I have already answered this question. I said that the government encourages the use of all languages.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, before this story goes too much further, would the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment look into this situation before this so-called story of a person using their language is being discouraged? Before it goes through the meat grinder of arbitration and whatnot, would the Minister look into this before it goes too far? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 389-15(3): Government Position On The Use Of Official Languages

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the issue and have been aware of it for some time now. There is the process that has been launched. I am going to respect that process so far and watch how it turns out. When you have a grievance that is possibly laid, you have to respect that we have that process set out and have to follow it, so I will be watching how things unfold. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.