NDP supporting minority-language rights

New Democrats welcome this week’s Federal Court decision, upholding that the CBC/Radio-Canada has a responsibility to promote the development of minority-language communities across the country.

“This is a victory for Francophones across Canada,” said Official Languages critic Yvon Godin (Acadie – Bathurst). “Nothing can justify infringing upon minority speakers’ rights – including budget cuts. The Court has established that Radio-Canada is bound by its commitment to the Official Languages Act and must respect it.”

The Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, will now be able to investigate complaints lodged to the broadcaster following massive budget cuts to a French-language station in Windsor, Ontario in 2009. These cuts had a devastating impact on local content at this – the only Francophone station in Southwest Ontario.

“Let’s not forget that CBC/Radio-Canada continues to deal with major budget cuts imposed by successive Conservative and Liberal governments. It is clear that these cuts have had a direct impact on the public broadcaster’s ability to ensure that programming meets the needs of minority-language communities. New Democrats are strongly opposed to the cuts and is urging the government to fulfill its obligations to the Official Languages Act and reinvest in this Crown Corporation,” added Godin.