The NDP strongly support recognizing, preserving, and promoting Indigenous Languages in Canada. While much work remains to be done, the NDP support Bill C-91, and hope the government is willing to work collaboratively to strengthen the Bill during Committee study. One thing that is missing in the Bill is the recognition of the impacts of the 60's Scoop on Indigenous people and access to their languages:
"Madam Speaker, I am glad to hear that the Conservative members will be supporting the bill. I note that 2019, by the way, is the International Year of Indigenous Languages, so it is important in this context to discuss this issue.
Several items were identified by my colleague, the member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. He pointed out that the government neglected in the bill to incorporate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as part of the bill. The government also neglected to acknowledge the impacts of the sixties scoop and there are other flaws within the bill.
Therefore, when this matter is sent to committee, I wonder whether the Conservatives will work with my colleague on the amendments that are required to make the bill reflect the intent behind it so that it truly acknowledges the indigenous communities, and then to acknowledge their rights as they have been stated and enshrined under the UN declaration."