Nunavut language watchdog to investigate Qikiqtani hospital

The Office of the Nunavut Languages Commissioner will conduct what it calls a “systemic investigation” of Inuit and French language services at Qikiqtani General Hospital, the organization said Feb. 24 in a news release.

“A systemic investigation is where an abuse of language rights is perceived as an endemic problem within a Government of Nunavut department or territorial organization,” the language office said.

The word “systemic investigation” does not seem to appear in the Official Languages Act.

But the law does empower the language commissioner to initiate an investigation on their own if they believe the spirit and intent of Nunavut’s language laws are not fulfilled or if any language law has not been complied with.

In the case of the Qikqtani hospital, the language commissioner’s press release said many criteria that justify an investigation have been satisfied, including:

• How many concerns?

• Does the situation encompass broad policy issues?

• Is it an ongoing problem?

• Are large numbers of people potentially affected?

• Have previous recommendations from the language commissoner’s been ignored?

“Unfortunately, Qikiqtani General Hospital meets most of the above criteria,” the press release said.

The language commissioner’s office, in a handout on “Our Investigative Procedure,” states that the languages commission is “bound by principles of natural justice” which includes the “right to be heard by an unbiased party.”