Harper Government Supports French and Inuit Languages in Nunavut

Iqaluit, November 26, 2012 – On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canada Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, and Member of Parliament (Nunavut), announced the renewal of the Canada–Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of French and Inuit Languages for one year.

This agreement will support the preservation, maintenance and enhancement of the Inuit culture and language through community-based projects. It will also support the development and implementation of specific measures of the territorial government in providing services to the Francophone community. Accompanying the agreement is a project that will see the creation of an art support program for Francophone artistic and cultural productions.

“Aboriginal and official languages are important components of our shared history,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is committed to working cooperatively with the Government of Nunavut to strengthen and promote French, as well as ensure the preservation and revitalization of the Inuit language and culture.”

“I am pleased with the renewed collaboration between the governments of Canada and Nunavut,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “This agreement will greatly benefit the development of our communities by providing them with language and cultural resources in French and Inuit languages.”

“With the anticipated coming into force of Nunavut’s Official Languages Act, we look forward to adequate and sustained funding from Canada to address the realities of Nunavut’s language needs, and more specifically to ensure the continued protection and promotion of the French and Inuit Languages in our Territory,” said the Honourable James Arreak, Minister of Languages of Nunavut.

Under the agreement, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $2,700,000 to the Government of Nunavut through Canadian Heritage. Of this amount, $1,100,000 is for the Inuit language through the Aboriginal Peoples’ Program. An amount of $1,450,000 is being provided for the French language through Intergovernmental Cooperation on Minority-Language Services. The accompanying project is receiving $150,000 through the Cultural Development Fund.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations 
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

NT5