- Am I required to provide my services in Inuktut if I own a private business in Nunavut?
Yes. Any organization operating in Nunavut – including private businesses – must provide basic services and communications to the public in Inuktut, in addition to any other languages used.
- What services or documents must be available in Inuktut?
Businesses must provide, among others:
- public signage (signs, posters, emergency and exit signs).
- commercial advertising and promotional materials
- reception and customer and client services.
If your business offers particular services — such as health, hospitality, food, housing, water, electricity, fuel, or telecommunications — you must also provide:
- Bills and invoices
- Notices and warnings
- Instructions and service information
- Menus (for restaurants and hotels)
- Any prescribed communications under section 3 of the IPA
All of these must be provided clearly and understandably in Inuktut.
- What if my business cannot immediately meet all these obligations?
You may submit an Accommodation Request to the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (OLCN).
Accommodation is available when immediate compliance would create undue hardship, or when the organization primarily serves a non-Inuit linguistic or cultural community.
This process allows businesses to propose alternative measures or a more realistic implementation timeline.
- Who can request accommodation?
Only private sector organizations may request accommodation under section 3(5) of the IPA.
Municipalities and public bodies cannot request accommodation.- Do I need an Inuit Language Plan before requesting accommodation?
Yes. All accommodation requests must be accompanied by an approved or updated Inuit Language Plan (ILP).
The ILP demonstrates the measures your organization is taking to progressively meet its obligations under the IPA.
