Ronald Ignace – Indigenous Languages Commissioner

The federal government has ordered a financial audit into transactions and activities at the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages.

Federal managers said they never authorized the $10 million charge by Indigenous Languages Commissioner Ronald Ignace to host a 4-day conference in Ottawa. He has been fingered after anonymous complaints. Ignace, the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, makes between $183,600 and $216,000 per year. A source said Ignace bragged about his work travels and that he was racking up Aeroplan points, nearing million-mile status. He flies business class “in consideration of his age, elder status and health issues, including sciatica,”.

Ignace and directors Robert Watt, Georgina Liberty and Joan Greyeyes were not available for interviews. Directors make $153,700.

Trudeau said there was an urgent need to prevent the loss of about 70 Indigenous languages in 2019. The passing of the Indigenous Languages Act paved the way two years later for the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. In 2021 Canadian Heritage provided a multi-year $51.6 million agreement to open the office. Current operations come from a $16.3 million contribution agreement signed in 2024. It also provided a 10-year grant until 2034, totalling $172.3 million.

Its said Ronald Ignace created a toxic work environment. 3 formal complaints of bullying were investigated last year. Personnel changes were made, and the office hired an adviser to review its governance and human resources practices, “with a focus on ensuring a safe, inclusive, respectful and effective workplace.” The five-year term for the commissioner and directors ends July 11. Ignace committed to serving only one term.

“I am extremely proud of the work undertaken to establish this office and advance its mandate,” Ignace points to a video as his major accomplishment after 5 years of blowing taxpayer money.

“Protection, revitalization and advancement of Indigenous languages in Canada is of utmost importance,” said Ignace. Ronald E. Ignace (Stsmél̓qen) served as the elected chief of the Skeetchestn Indian Band in British Columbia for more than 30 years. First elected in 1982, he stepped down in 2021 to become Indigenous Languages Commissioner.