Yellowknife (Nov 13/06) - How long can federal money go unused before it's only fair to cancel a program?

According to the Harper government, four years is enough.

Dennis Bevington, Western Arctic MP and Northern Affairs Critic, disagrees with that argument.

He said a $120-million aboriginal language program promised in 2002 by the Chretien government should not be cancelled, simply because the money was never used.

"It's clearly not right that the Conservatives are turning their back on aboriginal languages throughout the territory," he said.

Bevington said he believed the retraction would lead to a decline of aboriginal languages such as Inuvialuktun, Gwich'in, North Slavey, South Slavey, Chipewyan, Tlicho, Cree, Beaver, Hare and Mitchef in the NWT and across Canada.

"In the Northwest Territories the number of aboriginal people fluent in their languages fell from 59 per cent in 1984 to 44 per cent in 2004 and the figures are even worse for the rest of Canada. Soon languages that have been spoken in this country for millennia will be gone. With a $13 billion surplus, can the minister please explain why the government has cut $160 million from aboriginal language programs?" Bevington asked in the House of Commons.

Bev Oda, the Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, answered the issue was not really aboriginal languages, but out-of-control spending with good intentions.

"We have to make sure that instead of continually talking about what we are going to do with vast sums of money and do nothing, that we actually do act," she said.

Bevington said he stood by his views that the $120 million should be reinstated and actually used.

"The basis is that aboriginal languages are very important to building cultural continuity and uniquely provide more secure lives for people," Bevington said.

In the house, Oda said the Conservative government has pledged $40 million in permanent funding for an aboriginal languages initiative, but could not afford to let unused millions sit indefinitely.

"We intend to work with the groups to ensure that these languages, some of which are in jeopardy, and the culture of the aboriginal communities is there," she said.