Yellowknife (Aug 16/06) - An organization representing French-speakers in the NWT has filed a cross-appeal against the territorial government, claiming a landmark court ruling from earlier this year has been ignored.

The Federation Franco-Tenois said it will hold the government accountable when it comes to offering services in both official languages.

Federation Franco-Tenois president Fernand Denault and executive director Leo-Paul Provenche, talk to a group of francophone Yellowknifers about bilingual services. - photo courtesy of Simon Berube

"We're trying to make sure justice is done," said Franco-Tenois president Fernand Denault.

"It's an English only government."

The Franco-Tenois claim the government's refusal to abide by an April territorial Supreme Court ruling reduces French speaking persons to "second class citizens."

It's actions are in response to the government's July 31 appeal of a ruling forcing the territories to hire French speaking doctors, nurses and civil servants and translate all public documents in French. The government was also ordered to make sure the Languages Commissioner was prepared to deal with queries in French.The Justice overseeing the case, J.M. Moreau, gave the government one year to fulfil the requirements handed down in April. The government estimates it will cost tens of millions of dollars to implement the ruling.

Denault said his organization has not noticed any changes in the level of services for French speakers since the ruling was made.

The territorial government is appealing the decision because it feels Moreau overstepped her bounds and language issues should be discussed by members of the legislative assembly, according to court documents.

The government's appeal also outlines what it believes to be unfair testimony from several witnesses.

The Franco-Tenois are filing a second appeal to Moreau's decision involving the federal government.

Denault said French language services are enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and should be addressed as such. The last case was tried under the Official Languages Act, a piece of territorial legislation.

"By failing to address the Charter application, there's a high risk we'll have to start all over down the road," said Denault.

The appeal asks for financial damages as well.

To inform the French speaking community in town, the Yellowknife French Cultural Association held a small rally Aug. 10.

"As a member of the Franco-Tenois, our mission is to organize activities for the francophone community," said communications agent Sebastien Lemire.

Around 30 people attended to speak about French services in the NWT, he said.