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Elections Canada's experience with developing communication products in Indigenous languagesCEO Appearance on the study on Indigenous languages on ballots before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Key Messages

  • Elections Canada offers the non-dated Guide to the Federal Election and the Voter Identification Tear-Off Sheet in 16 Indigenous languages.
  • The selection of Indigenous languages is based on Statistics Canada data (most frequently reported Indigenous languages spoken in Canada) and through specific outreach efforts.
  • Current delays to produce ballots are very tight as the close of nominations is on Day 21, and ballots need to be prepared, printed and delivered to polling places across the country in time for advance polls (Day 10). This is especially difficult for remote communities.
  • Translation delays for the most commonly-spoken Indigenous languages vary between 10 and 20 days. Delays for less common Indigenous languages can take several weeks.
  • The Translation Bureau provides translation services for the more commonly-spoken Indigenous languages. Elections Canada must rely on external service providers for some of the less common Indigenous languages, such as Nisga'a and Gwich'in.

Facts

Voter Information Campaign Products in Indigenous Languages

  • The non-dated Guide to the Federal Election and the Voter Identification Tear-Off Sheet are offered in the following 16 Indigenous languages on the Elections Canada website and through our outreach partners:

    • Atikamekw
    • Blackfoot
    • Dene
    • Gwich'in
    • Innu (Montagnais)
    • Inuktitut
    • Michif
    • Mi'kmaq
    • Mohawk
    • Moose-Cree
    • Nisga'a
    • Ojibway
    • Oji-Cree
    • Plains Cree
    • Saulteaux
    • Stoney

While the Latin alphabet is used for the majority of the Indigenous languages in our communication products, syllabics are used for Inuktitut and Oji-Cree. A mix of the Latin alphabet and syllabics is used for Dene. The decision to use the Latin alphabet vs. syllabics is determined by the Translation Bureau.

In Nunavut:

  • Every registered elector receives two voter information cards providing them with all the information they need to register and vote in the federal election: one in English and French, and one in English and Inuktitut.
  • Every household receives a trilingual version of the Guide to the Federal Election (in English, French and Inuktitut).
  • The paid advertising campaign includes print, TV and radio ads in English, French and Inuktitut.
  • During the 44th general election, Elections Canada provided posters with the list of candidates in Inuktitut for Nunavut's polling locations.

Selection of languages

  • Statistics Canada data regarding the ten Indigenous languages most frequently spoken at home was used to select many of the languages offered.
  • Since Elections Canada first began offering communications products in Indigenous languages, certain languages have seen a decrease in the number of self-identified speakers. Elections Canada continues to offer communications products in these legacy languages, as well as languages stemming from specific past outreach efforts (either through national outreach or requests from returning officers).

Indigenous languages that are included in top 10 most frequently spoken Indigenous languages in Canada (Statistics Can): Atikamekw, Blackfoot, Dene, Innu (Montagnais), Inuktitut, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Mi'kmaq, Plains Cree and Stoney.

Indigenous languages included as part of past outreach efforts (national or local): Gwich'in, Michif, Mohawk, Moose-Cree, Nisga'a and Saulteaux.

Availability of Indigenous Translators

Availability of Indigenous Translators
Indigenous Language Translator used GE44 Translation Delays
Atikamekw Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Blackfoot Public translation Company 10 days
Dene Public translation Company 10 days
Gwich'in Public translation Company 15 plus days (difficult)
Innu (Montagnais) Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Inuktitut Translation Bureau 1 or 2 days normally
Michif Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Mi'kmaq Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Mohawk Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Moose Cree Public translation Company 10 days
Nisga'a Public translation Company 15 plus days (difficult)
Ojibway (eastern) Public translation Company 10 days
Oji-Cree / Oji-cri Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Plains Créé / Cri des plaines Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Saulteaux Translation Bureau 10 to 20 days
Stoney Public translation Company 10 days