Nunavut falls short in French-language services

The recent report on official languages in Nunavut which was tabled by Eva Aariak, the official languages commissioner of Nunavut, says Nunavut isn’t living up to its legal obligation to supply services in French.

“The Government of Nunavut as a whole is in violation of the Official Languages Act as it is generally unable to provide even a basic level of French services. This is despite substantial federal funding for this purpose,” says the report.

In her report Aariak says:

• A francophone’s ability to receive territorial government services in French is a matter of luck.

• The translation of written information into French is very limited and many senior officials don’t know they have a legal obligation to translate material for public distribution.

• Some senior officials didn’t realize the federal government is willing to spend $1.4 million a year for French services and said “French services are too costly to provide.”

• Many government employees complain about the level of funding for French versus the money available for the promotion and preservation of Inuktitut.

• There’s little awareness of what this money can pay for within government departments.

• Government organizations need more direction from cabinet on their obligations under the Official Languages Act. Policies and guidelines are needed that detail when and how services will be provided to the public in the official languages.

• The GN’s Web sites should be translated “immediately.”