Plan for Inuit languages on federal ballot in Nunavut moves to Senate

Senate approval needed before Elections Canada can move ahead with project

If approved, a pilot project could see temporary variations to the Canada Elections Act in Nunavut that would allow Inuit languages on federal ballots. (File photo)

By Kierstin Williams

A House of Commons committee has recommended Canada’s chief electoral officer move ahead with a pilot project to test the use of Inuit languages on federal election ballots in Nunavut.

It’s not clear yet, though, whether that could be in place in time for the next federal election, which must be held on or before Oct. 25, 2025.

The procedure and house affairs committee presented its recommendation last week after chief electoral officer Stéphane Perrault asked for committee approval of the pilot project in September.

“The committee is of the opinion that this proposal may allow a greater number of electors in Nunavut to exercise their constitutional right to vote, while offering sufficient guarantees to preserve the integrity of the vote,” the committee report said.

Proposed temporary variations to the Canada Elections Act for Nunavut include:

  • allowing Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun to be used for candidates’ names on nomination papers and ballots;
  • allowing voters to write the name of their chosen candidate in an Inuit language;
  • and allowing political parties to add an Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun name for their party.

“Certain factors make the possibility of such a pilot project possible for Elections Canada,” said Matthew McKenna, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.

“That includes the facts that Inuktut has an official status in Nunavut, that a majority of the population speaks Inuktut languages, and that the territory is represented by just one federal election district.”

In a 2022 report, the committee recommended Elections Canada undertake the pilot project in Nunavut.

Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout introduced a bill after that report was released, calling for ballots to be available in Indigenous languages.

The committee also asked Perrault to consider the third recommendation from its 2022 report in the pilot project, which asks Elections Canada to present copies of the official ballot in Indigenous languages as a guide for voters at polling stations and voting booths.

Idlout said she welcomes the recommendation of the committee and called it a “long overdue decision.”

“During both my numerous appearances at committee and as a witness, I stressed the importance of reflecting the languages we speak on our land and improving access for Inuit,” she said.

“I will keep fighting for the government to accept this recommendation and to take a step further to include Indigenous languages in all areas of the country where Indigenous languages are spoken.”

McKenna said the pilot project needs to be approved by the Senate before Elections Canada can proceed.

Whether it can be implemented for the next federal election depends on the timing of the election.

“Given the minority parliament context, an election could take place at any time,” McKenna said.

“In such circumstances, Elections Canada delivers the services that are ready at the time the writs are issued.”

In the 2021 federal election, 34 per cent of eligible voters in Nunavut cast their ballot compared to 62 per cent across the country, according to Elections Canada.

 

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(7) Comments:

  1. Posted by 867 on

    Make sure you throw in a $100 voucher while you’re at it since thats seemingly the only way to get nunavummiut to the polls

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    • Posted by negative on

      Always always have to say something. just move if your so unhappy with everything Nunavut maybe to 780

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      • Posted by HC on

        to be fair, a lot of people between ages 18-40 are saying that they want money to start voting. what were you expecting when NTI does this? didn’t think what that’ll cause for future participants for voting?

        NTI allowing for 100$ to go vote is a sham, and NTI will be a sham from now on doing so.

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    • Posted by What left from that 100$? on

      Buying votes is plain wrong. At least, take the money and create a TV/radio show to explain how NTI works, what they did in previous years, and what we should expect from them in the future. Bring people to the community center around a strong coffee and watch it together. Bring someone from NTI to answer questions. Then you got voters who know what is going on. It helps to make the right choice for president. Educate voters for life; don’t just feed them two days with that $100.

  2. Posted by Old fart on

    This is big thing so in order for me to vote I will need 500.00 cash or gift card to get me and family to vote.

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  3. Posted by John WP Murphy on

    What I find hypocritical on the part of the NDP and our MP is her written communication to her constituents is in English, French, and Inuktitut syllabics only. No respect for the fourth OFFICIAL LANGUAGE in Nunavut – Inuinnaqtun. Perhaps she should practice what she preaches.

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    • Posted by With JWP MURPHY on

      As with our region –time forgotten like our own language. Innuinaktun.
      Our very basis of our far west constituency , the governing bodies go where the money talks. No wonder all RIO’s are distant to its ppl in our region.

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