Legislature features live sign language interpretation for first time

Live American Sign Language interpretation was provided during question period in the Manitoba legislature for the first time, when the NDP introduced the Sign Languages Recognition Act on Wednesday.

With members of the deaf community in the visitors gallery, Premier Wab Kinew said it was a “great honour” to be the first premier in Manitoba to speak during question period through American Sign Language interpreters.

“This represents a continued evolution of our democracy and a continued sign that every single person in Manitoba deserves respect, dignity, and to have access to your government,” Kinew said.

The government plans to make it a regular part of question period, said Nahanni Fontaine, the minister responsible for accessibility.

The bill she brought forward Wednesday formally recognizes American Sign Language, Quebec Sign Language and Indigenous Sign Languages as distinct languages, and acknowledges the linguistic and cultural uniqueness of sign languages as the primary languages of many deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind Manitobans.

It’s part of the government’s commitment to building a barrier-free society “where accessibility and inclusion are foundational to who we are as a province,” Fontaine said.

Creating a Manitoba where everyone belongs requires that governments, businesses, schools, families and individuals work together, said Fontaine, who is also families minister.

Progressive Conservative families critic Jodie Byram said Manitobans deserve a strong advocate who can stand up for people with disabilities.

She said Fontaine has shown she’s not the right person for the job.

“Manitobans have been left deeply hurt by the accessibility minister’s remarks earlier this year disparaging an ASL interpreter,” Byram said in the chamber.

She was referring to a June 26 “hot mic” incident recorded by APTN in which Fontaine complained about an ASL interpreter who shared a stage with her at summer gala. Fontaine issued numerous apologies and pledged to have sign language interpreters at all her events.

On Wednesday, Fontaine told reporters the government is working with the clerk of the legislative assembly and Speaker Tom Lindsey to make ASL interpretation a regular part of question period and standing committee broadcasts starting in the spring.

“There’s a lot of logistics that we have to map out, and some of the kinks that may have happened today,” said Fontaine, who was joined by two members of the deaf community who took reporters’ questions via an interpreter.

The bill’s introduction at the inaugural ASL-interpreted question period made Richard Zimmer feel like “doors are opening up” for deaf Manitobans.

“All this time we felt very limited in terms of access, in terms of inclusion,” said the retired instructor and co-ordinator of deaf studies programs at RRC Polytech.

“We are that much more out in the world learning what’s happening, knowing what’s going on and feeling included, feeling a part of society, finally. I’m very, very happy to see this bill come to fruition,” Zimmer said.

Manitoba Deaf Association board member Doug Momotiuk said having live ASL interpretation for question period will allow deaf people to have timely access to information.

“Deaf people are typically the last people to get the information that others already have,” Momotiuk said.

“I think it’s wonderful to have a picture-in-picture (interpretation) for question period, for debates or government proceedings,” Momotiuk said.

They said they appreciated the ASL interpretation for the heckling and cross talk.

“I certainly enjoyed taking in the process,” Zimmer said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca