The federal government has ordered a financial audit into transactions and activities at a landmark Indigenous languages office after receiving anonymous complaints.
Canadian Heritage didn’t elaborate on the allegations against the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, an arm’s-length office set up five years ago after it was recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“Canadian Heritage has made the commissioner of Indigenous languages aware that we have received anonymous allegations and has contracted an independent third-party firm to conduct a special examination under the Indigenous Languages Act,” the department said in an email.
It said the review can look at whether the office’s “books, records, systems and practices” are complying with standards in the legislation. It didn’t give a timeline on when it might be complete.
Half a dozen sources, including former employees, say that in its five years, the commissioner’s office has failed to move the needle on strengthening Indigenous languages and supporting research.
Instead, they say, the office has focused on extensive travel and hosting one big conference.
Last year, the office spent $10 million hosting a four-day conference in Ottawa. A well-respected Ojibwe speaker invited to the event says she was unimpressed.
“I don’t think they knew what they were doing. I think they had all this money, and so the showy thing to do is put on a big conference,” said Patricia Ningewance, an associate professor of Indigenous studies at the University of Manitoba.
She said the commissioner’s office paid all her expenses, although she’s not sure of her total.
Ningewance said the conference may have been more successful if groups were gathered by shared languages, so tangible recommendations could be made on how to preserve them. She didn’t receive follow-up information on what was accomplished, she added.
In the end, Ningewance said, the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
“Can you imagine, for that amount of money, how many students could have been made fluent?”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which examined the history and legacy of residential schools, called for an Indigenous languages commissioner in its 2015 final report.
The federal government, under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, said there was an urgent need to prevent the loss of about 70 Indigenous languages.
The passing of the Indigenous Languages Act in 2019 paved the way two years later for the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.
It’s mandated to support efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages; promote public awareness of Indigenous groups; and support research, innovation and the use of new technologies.
“This is like a once-in-a-generation opportunity for languages, and they’re squandering it,” said a source familiar with the inner workings of the office.
The source and others spoke on the condition they not be named due to fear of job reprisal.
They allege a toxic work environment, bullying, uncompleted projects and staff quitting in frustration.
Documents including emails and letters as well as audio recordings obtained by The Canadian Press say commissioner Ronald Ignace, the directors and other senior officials were notified several times by former employees of the organization’s allegedly flawed human resources processes.