Contents
- Whereas the recognition and implementation of rights relat…
- Short Title
- Interpretation
- Purposes of Act
- Rights Related to Indigenous Languages
- Powers, Duties and Functions of Minister
- Federal Institutions
- Office of Commissioner of Indigenous Languages
- Regulations and Rules
- Independent Review
- Parliamentary Review
- Coming into Force
Whereas the recognition and implementation of rights related to Indigenous languages are at the core of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and are fundamental to shaping the country, particularly in light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action;Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which affirms rights related to Indigenous languages;Whereas 2019 has been proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations as the International Year of Indigenous Languages to, among other things, draw attention to the critical loss of Indigenous languages and the urgent need to maintain, revitalize and promote Indigenous languages;Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes that all relations with Indigenous peoples must be based on the recognition and implementation of their right to self-determination, including the inherent right of self-government;Whereas First Nations, the Inuit and the Métis Nation have their own collective identities, cultures and ways of life and have, throughout history and to this day, continued to live in, use and occupy the lands that are now in Canada;Whereas Indigenous languages were the first languages used in the lands that are now in Canada and those languages have evolved over time;Whereas Indigenous languages played a significant part in the establishment of relations between Europeans and Indigenous peoples;Whereas Indigenous peoples have played a significant role in the development of Canada and Indigenous languages contribute to the diversity and richness of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Canada;Whereas a history of discriminatory government policies and practices, in respect of, among other things, assimilation, forced relocation, the Sixties Scoop and residential schools, were detrimental to Indigenous languages and contributed significantly to the erosion of those languages;Whereas the status of Indigenous languages varies from one language to another, including with respect to the vitality of those languages, and there is an urgent need to support the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen them;Whereas Indigenous languages are fundamental to the identities, cultures, spirituality, relationships to the land, world views and self-determination of Indigenous peoples;Whereas efforts to protect the vitality of Indigenous languages contribute to the enrichment of Indigenous knowledge as well as to the prevention of the loss of cultural diversity, biodiversity and spirituality;Whereas a variety of entities in different regions across Canada have mandates to promote the use of Indigenous languages and to support the efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen them and there is a need for the Government of Canada to provide continuing support for those entities;Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to providing adequate, sustainable and long-term funding for the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance and strengthening of Indigenous languages;Whereas Indigenous peoples are best placed to take the leading role in reclaiming, revitalizing, maintaining and strengthening Indigenous languages;Whereas Indigenous-language media and lifelong learning of Indigenous languages, including education systems for Indigenous people, are essential to restoring and maintaining fluency in those languages;Whereas a flexible approach that takes into account the unique circumstances and needs of Indigenous groups, communities and peoples is required in light of the diversity of identities, cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples;And whereas there is a need to take into account the unique circumstances and needs of Indigenous elders, youth, children, persons with disabilities, women, men and gender-diverse persons and two-spirit persons;Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short Title
1Short title#
Interpretation
2Definitions#
Purposes of Act
5Purposes#
Rights Related to Indigenous Languages
6Recognition by Government of Canada#
Powers, Duties and Functions of Minister
7Consultations — adequate, sustainable and long-term funding#
8Cooperation to support Indigenous languages#
9Agreements or arrangements — purposes of Act#
10Other agreements#
Federal Institutions
10.1Access to services in Indigenous languages#
10.2Agreements and arrangements#
11Translation and interpretation#
Office of Commissioner of Indigenous Languages
Establishment
12Office established#
13Appointment of Commissioner#
13.1Advisory committee#
14Chief executive officer#
15Commissioner absent or unable to act#
16Appointment of directors#
17Reappointment#
18Status#
19Remuneration#
21Conflict of interest#
22Head office#
Mandate and Powers, Duties and Functions
23Mandate#
24Research or studies#
25Support offered by Office#
26Dispute resolution services#
27Review of complaints#
28Capacity, rights, powers and privileges#
29Delegation#
30Limit of liability#
Financial Management
31Fiscal year#
32Expenditure of revenues#
33Business plan and budget#
34Books and systems#
35Annual auditor’s report#
36Special examination#
37Examiner’s report#
38Consultation with Auditor General#
39Right to information#
41Qualified privilege#
42Disclosure of material developments#
Annual Report
43Contents#
Regulations and Rules
45Regulation-making powers#
45.1Collaboration#
46Rules — Office’s meetings and activities#
Independent Review
49Five-year review#
Parliamentary Review
49.1Three-year review#
Coming into Force
Federal laws of Canada reproduced under the Reproduction of Federal Law Order (SI/97-5); not the official version. Source: Justice Laws Website.