:roll: My only beef is that the guy complaining isn't taking into consideration all of the other languages that are already serviced through the territories gov't, you got your Dogrib, Cree, Innuinaqtun...etc And there are other native language groups that aren't serviced but still wanna be...Get in line with the Rest buddy!
Our rights are being violated, say N.W.T. francophones
A Yellowknife court has heard that francophones in the Northwest Territories are being denied their right to service in their own language.
Closing arguments are expected to wrap up this week in the case, which could force the territorial government to be more accessible to French-speaking people.
The Federation Franco-Tenoise says constitutionally protected French-language rights are not being respected in the Northwest Territories.
In his day-long closing argument Tuesday, federation lawyer Roger LePage said the federal government is ultimately responsible for ensuring that government services and publications are available in French.
It was an argument that turned on how the territory is different from the provinces.
LePage pointed out that there is no mention of the territories in the Canadian Constitution.
"If the federal government chose to govern directly here, it could do so," said LePage, speaking through an interpreter. "But it has chosen to delegate powers."
In addition to the association, the lawsuit was brought by the French-language newspaper L'Aquilon, and five individuals. Each alleges the territorial government repeatedly denied them service in French.
In one case, said LePage, a woman in Inuvik went to Quebec for an operation because no translators were available at the hospitals in Inuvik or Yellowknife.
Lawyers for the territorial and federal government are expected to begin their closing arguments Wednesday.