IQALUIT - According to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, federal government offices in Nunavut will be exempt from the new Inuit Language Protection Act.

The new law, which was passed on Sept. 23, requires all organizations in the private and public sector to provide services in the Inuit languages.

"The federal government is never bound by language policies of other levels of government," Harper said during his recent visit to Iqaluit. "Each order of government is responsible for the provision of services in its own offices and it decides its own internal language policies."

While not bound by the territorial language policies, a Conservative government would examine the new legislation, he added.

"Our government would want to take a look at it and see, while respecting our own obligations toward English and French as our national languages, that we're obviously trying to work in ways that are not at cross purposes," said Harper.

The issue of language loomed large at CBC North's all-candidates meeting Sept. 25.

Several local residents challenged the four federal candidates on how they would fight for Nunavut's recently-passed language act.

Liberal candidate Kirt Ejesiak attacked Harper's comments, adding he would support the application of the law in federal offices.

"If the Liberals are elected, they will put aboriginals and Inuit first," he said. "I would support it."

NDP candidate Paul Irngaut said Harper's stance regarding the new act is a sign of disregard for the Inuit people.

"The Conservatives don't want to implement it," he said. "They don't even care about our language."

Likewise, Green Party candidate Peter Ittinuar expressed his disappointment in the PM's response to the new act.

When the language legislation was passed, he said, "Inuit, we were elated. The next day the prime minister came and our smiles turned upside down."

On the phone from Taloyoak, Conservative candidate Leona Aglukkaq stressed her support of the bill when she was MLA.

"I was very passionate about his bill and I supported it," she said.

Approximately 60 to 70 people came to the Anglican Parish Hall for the debate, which was broadcast live on CBC Radio. Questions for the candidates were accepted from the floor. Other key issues discussed included housing, the cost of living and the Food Mail program.