Language Access Coalition of Canada - Candidate Questionnaire
Equitable language access is a persistent challenge that impacts a growing number of Canadians, despite it being a constitutional right.  Agencies, Not-For-Profits and Grassroots groups across Canada struggle to provide linguistic accommodations in a policy environment where language access is not a priority. As a result, too many Canadians are left behind in equitable access to health, legal, educational and employment services.

In consultation with partners across the country, The Language Access Coalition of Canada has identified the following priorities for bridging the language equity gap in Canada. We would like to know where you and your Party stand on these issues:
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1) Support for the revitalization of Indigenous Languages
While recent events have elevated the public conversation around reconciliation and the systematic oppression of Indigenous communities, their culture and their languages, the federal government has yet to take the necessary steps to revitalize these cultures and languages, including First Nation, Metis and Inuit.
Does your Party commit to the right of Indigenous parents to choose to have their children instructed in an Indigenous language and to provide sufficient funding to this effect?
Clear selection
Will your Party commit to Inuit having federal government services available in the Inuktut language in Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit Homelands?
Clear selection
2) Emergency Communications to Linguistically Diverse Communities
The COVID pandemic has brought to light the need for multilingual services to increase access, remove barriers and reduce public safety risk for all crisis situations such as pandemics, severe weather events, forest fires, etc.
Does your Party commit to ensuring emergency communication is provided in multiple languages, particularly those spoken in vulnerable and marginalized communities during crisis situations?
Clear selection
Does your Party commit to ensuring language access plans that mandate multilingual communications be incorporated in all emergency planning measures?
Clear selection
3) Language Access for Settlement Services
Canada is committed to both increasing immigration levels and encouraging newcomers to settle in communities with little resources to facilitate the settlement process. This means they may not be able to address access barriers through, for example, the services of equity officers overseeing the implementation of broader language access plans, etc.
How will your Party support communities in providing information and services to newcomers with diverse cultural and linguistic needs?
Will your Party support the development and implementation of a broad Language Access Framework directing and guiding federal departments and funded service providers in their provision of multi-language information and services?
Clear selection
4) Sustainability of Language Services
Federally mandated interpretation services have been consistently under-funded and are at a point of crisis at the federal level. The number of remote meetings, as an example, have exceeded the existing capacity of trained and accredited interpreters who are declining work, suffering from mental health conditions, and leaving the profession.
What commitments is your Party making to ensure sustainable interpretation services are available in both official languages to all Canadians?
5) Should you win the election and become the next MP for your riding, how will you ensure that linguistically diverse constituents have equitable access to you? *
6) Which of these issues is most important to you?
Based on the responses we receive here, we will translate the top two issues as statements of support into five languages and provide these to you to share on your websites, social media and promotional material.
The issue I care about the most is:
My choice
The revitalization of Indigenous Languages with meaningful resources.
Appropriate and timely Emergency Communications to Linguistically Diverse Communities
Appropriate language access resources for Canadian Settlement Services
Sustainable interpretation services are available in both official languages for all Canadians.
Clear selection
7) Which top five languages would you like your statement of support in?
Based on the responses we receive here, we will translate the top two issues as statements of support into five languages and provide these to you to share on your websites, social media and promotional material.
Languages of choice: *
The Language Access Coalition of Canada is a partnership between more than 40 organisations from across Canada. Our vision is a nation where all people have equitable access to quality information and services, regardless of the language they speak or sign.
To contact the LACC, email languageadvocacyday@gmail.com.  
Candidate Name:
Candidate Party
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If Other, name of Party:
Your Contact information:
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