Hon. Michèle Audette: [Editor’s Note: Senator Audette spoke in Innu-aimun.]

As you know, the review and independent examination of the Indigenous Languages Act has been delayed.

I know that you’ve started a process to correct this situation. I’m grateful to you, but I’d like your reassurance that the correction will include a component and expertise for nations who speak French as a second language. The aim is to avoid going down the same path as before, when the members of expert committees, advisers and commissioners spoke only English and their Indigenous language. Could you reassure me by telling me that this time the First Nations of Quebec will be included in the process?

Hon. Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages: Kwe, senator. Thank you for the question. As you know, this is a very important issue. One of the things we are most proud of is the fact that the Indigenous Languages Act is the first act of Parliament that was drafted in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. The measures taken to implement this act supported 3,000 community-based projects across the country aimed at restoring, protecting and promoting these aspects of Indigenous languages and cultures. We are preparing to conduct an independent review, and I can assure you that this work will be done in partnership with Indigenous peoples. We will consider the perspectives of all Indigenous communities, including the First Nations of Quebec.

Senator Audette: That is reassuring. We all heard that. Would it be possible to meet with the Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations? I think efforts are being made by the two offices, and I think it’s important that we get a dialogue going fairly soon.

Mr. Guilbeault: Thank you. I had the pleasure of meeting him a number of times, but not since I took up my new duties. We write and text each other. I can assure you that we are going to work with the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador on reviewing the act.