(February 26, 2021) – Lela Evans, PC Candidate for Torngat Mountains, says a lack of translation services for Indigenous peoples is yet another reason Indigenous populations will be disenfranchised in the 2021 provincial election.

Earlier this week, the CBC reported that election materials will not be translated into Indigenous languages such as Inuktitut and Innu Aimun, despite earlier assurances translation services would be sought.

Evans says this is just the latest barrier to Indigenous populations partaking in this election and the risk of disenfranchisement continues to grow.

“Everyone is suppose to be equal in this province but the rights of Indigenous peoples are being forgotten in this election. The communities of the North Coast of Labrador have always had to deal with less access to services than the rest of the province, with less reliable internet and telephone coverage than elsewhere,” said Evans.

“On top of all the existing infrastructure gaps that my people face, now the language barrier is being reinforced, not removed. I find this very disappointing because our Indigenous peoples are already burdened with a long history of harmful treatment and if we are to believe in reconciliation, we do not deserve to have our voices - our language ignored by the Liberal government.”

Shannon Tobin, PC Candidate for Lake Melville, says issues with translation services for Indigenous groups are not new and this is just the latest example. He expressed his disbelief that once again Indigenous populations will suffer due to inaction by the Liberal government.

"This is not a new issue, our indigenous people have been speaking their languages long before our province even entered into confederation. Elections NL should have had translated materials available from the beginning of this election,” said Tobin.

Tobin has written a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Bruce Chaulk expressing his displeasure with the lack of translation services.

“This is another example of Elections NL being unprepared for this snap election called by Premier Furey. It is also another example of the failure of the Liberal government on the reconciliation file for our Indigenous people,” said Tobin.

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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Tobins letter to CEO