The Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada, Raymond Théberge, went to meet the French-speaking community of Iqaluit, Nunavut, to better understand its challenges and its particularities.
This is Commissioner Théberge’s first visit to Nunavut since the start of his mandate in 2018, a visit he had planned a few years ago, but which had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
I wanted to visit this community which is unique in some way
mentions the commissioner. To see how it maintains itself, how it flourishes, understand its challenges, understand its ambitions and see how the federal system can support their development
he adds.
During his visit, he met with representatives of the Association des francophones du Nunavut. He also took the opportunity to visit the École des Trois-Soleils.
It’s a community which, in my opinion, is developing, which has a very interesting future, and I wanted to see it with my own eyes.
Coexistence of three official languages
Nunavut’s linguistic landscape differs from that of other provinces and territories, since it recognizes, in its Official Languages Act, English, French and Inuktuk, which includes Inuktituk and Inuinnaqtun.
Raymond Théberge discussed it with the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, Karliin Aariak. He believes that the coexistence of these languages is possible.
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Raymond Théberge visited the École des Trois-Soleils, in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Matisse Harvey
I think it can coexist. Community growth [francophone] that’s an example, the growth of the presence of Inuktitut, that’s another example. I did not feel a tension between the various linguistic regimes
he testifies.
I think people are trying to figure out the best way to make it work.
.
And this model of coexistence of several official languages could perhaps, one day, be seen elsewhere in the country, according to the commissioner.
The question of official languages is not a fixed question, it is constantly evolving, and this type of visit fuels our reflection.
Progress, but also vigilance
Although the revitalization of indigenous languages is not part of his mandate, Raymond Théberge was able to observe that Nunavut is on the right track to revitalize and preserve Inuktut.
According to him, the Nunavut Inuit Language Protection Act is robust, allowing all Inuktuk speakers to request services from institutions in their language.
It is this type of legislative framework that can ensure the survival of a language, whether French or Inuktut in Nunavut, and the government has a big role to play in the vitality of minority linguistic communities, according to him.
We must put in place institutions that will support the use of this language, create spaces for its use.
says the original Franco-Manitoban, who will publish, on October 9, his 2022-2023 annual report taking stock of Francophone minority communities.
The situation of French in the country is evolving, but there is always room for improvement.
We have made progress in recent years, but we must always be vigilant and ensure that we equip ourselves with the necessary institutions, the necessary tools and always ensure that we assert our linguistic rights.
he adds.
A right that is not used can be a right that will be lost. I think we must always be vigilant and never take anything for granted
.
