Beware of language laws

Federal and provincial governments have already dabbled with language legislation, and I think it’s safe to say that it turned out to be a flop.

The Canada we all know is very wide and diversified, and every time we try to legislate language or culture from a central government viewpoint, it has always stepped on the basic freedoms we as Canadians would have hoped to enjoy.

But for the first time, Nunavut may be able to set the agenda for Canada by proposing to devolve language or culture to the responsibility of municipal governments, which I believe is the closest government to the will of the people. A territorial or provincial government would be in charge of facilitating the process of defining local aspirations, and reflecting the true needs of the people.

Eva Aariak, if you hear what I’m trying to say, give it some time before somebody takes a large swipe at everyone’s rights, one more time.

Mitch Gingras
Ottawa