Big workload, job vacancies, hinder Nunavut languages commissioner

Languages Commissioner Sandra Inutiq told a committee of MLAs Nov. 24 that complex, systemic investigations into language use in Nunavut, and preparation for mandatory private sector compliance under the Inuit Language Protection Act, have been difficult to manage with perennial staff vacancies in her office. (PHOTO BY STEVE DUCHARME)

Empty desks at the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut are to blame for many of the challenges the organization faces trying to be a watchdog for language rights across the territory.

That’s the main takeaway for MLAs after a full day spent questioning languages commissioner Sandra Inutiq about her office’s 2013-2014 annual report at a hearing held by the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, which was held in Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly Nov. 24.

“There are seven positions in our office and presently there are four positions filled,” said Inutiq, who assumed her role as languages commissioner in 2012

“The retention of employees is the most difficult part since I’ve started.”

Because it’s under capacity, the office is forced to shuffle staff members around to address immediate needs at the neglect of less pressing ones.

For example, the Office of the Languages Commissioner conducted little French language monitoring during the 2013-2014 fiscal year, according to its annual report.

French is one of three languages — along with Inuktut and English — recognized under the Official Languages Act of Nunavut, which came into law in 2009.

In one instance, the commissioner’s only French-language researcher was pulled from regular duties to help investigate language practices at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit.

That investigation — which began in 2012 — will be included in the Office’s 2014-2015 annual report.

“Some of our projects have had to be postponed due to staffing issues as well as the focus on trying to complete the systemic investigation,” said Inutiq, who noted that the French-language researcher has since resumed normal duties.

Staffing also hindered the office’s three-year investigation of Nunavut’s private sector — done in preparation for mandatory compliance under the Inuit Language Protection Act which requires businesses to provide basic public services in Inuktut.

The office sent 100 surveys to private businesses in Nunavut as part of its study.

Sixty-five per cent of respondents in the survey said they provide services in Inuktut, but the commissioner did not give a clear answer to Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak as to whether any of those claims were actually verified.

According to its annual report, 41 businesses made requests for some form of language assistance to the office in 2012-2013.

The office had hired a full-time private sector liaison person during its three-year mandate for the purpose of educating businesses on compliance requirements and to explain the role of the organization.

But the full-time business liaison person was reassigned to other duties when the office’s mandate to study that sector ended.

“Since that job became vacant and became the role of the communication officer, some have requested for language training and I have made that indication to the minister [of language],” said Inutiq.

The commissioner stated the Government of Nunavut should provide more assistance to people seeking language training.

And out of the office’s 100 private sector surveys sent out, only 17 businesses actually responded.

According to Inutiq, the low turnout may be symbolic of a deeper misunderstanding of the office’s role by the parties they approach for data.

“There is a perception that our office only takes punitive measures. It was suggested that maybe that’s why nobody has answered our surveys with municipalities because there’s worry that there’s going to be repercussions if they’re not complying.”

According to the office’s annual report, businesses are also confused about the roles of the languages commissioner and Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, which is tasked with standardizing Inuktut across Nunavut.

The work being done by Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit is crucial to the ability of private businesses to vet necessary translations under ILPA compliance, but that too has been slow.

An effort by the office to distinguish their role with the public has been difficult, Inutiq said.

“We are trying to work on our webpage and since we are without a communications officer, it’s been difficult.”

Representatives of Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit are scheduled to appear before the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts Nov. 25.

Inutiq said she hopes to table the 2014-2015 annual report of the Office of the Languages Commissioner during the winter sitting of the legislative assembly.