May 10, 2019, Ottawa, ON — ITK acknowledges NDP MPs for publicly supporting ITK’s proposed amendments to Bill C-91 (An Act respecting Indigenous languages) during third reading debate yesterday.
“Bill C-91 was in no way co-developed with Inuit and the federal government’s continued refusal to seek compromise by amending the bill to reflect Inuit priorities is unacceptable,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. “Bill C-91 as currently drafted does not reflect any of the Inuit-specific priorities for our language shared with the department of Canadian Heritage throughout the past two years of the engagement process. If adopted, Bill C-91 will likely erode the strength of Inuktut, rather than help revitalize, maintain, and promote it.”
ITK is hopeful that the Senate of Canada will adopt the ITK proposed Inuit Nunangat annex to the Bill as an amendment during its deliberations on Bill C-91, which would reflect the realities within Inuit Nunangat. Only by working together to achieve our mutual and shared interests will Inuit and other Canadians succeed in achieving a just and lasting reconciliation. ITK expresses deep appreciation to all MPs who recognize that the proposals of Inuit are essential to ensuring strong and prosperous Inuit families and communities across Inuit Nunangat.
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