October 1, 1999.

The Chancellery
Rideau Hall
1, Promenade Sussex
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A OA1

Dear Sir/Madame:

I am writing to you on behalf of The Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD), known for our work in promoting, preserving and advancing the cultural interests of Canada's Deaf population including the literacy, pride and identity of Deaf children and adults. (Please see the brochure enclosed.)

We wish to bring our concern to you regarding the appointment of Dr. Daniel Ling to the Order of Canada on September 28, 1999.

We are dismayed and embarrassed that Canada would consider Dr. Ling's work worthy of this great honour. Our understanding is that the Order of Canada is bestowed upon Canadians who have displayed exemplary citizenship and "whose contributions enrich the lives of their contemporaries". For years, Dr. Ling has espoused the importance of spoken English for Deaf children and the rejection of American Sign Language (ASL) as a valid language for Deaf Canadians. He has advocated the primacy of speech over the use of a language (ASL) that we as Deaf people could have full access to and through which we have full understanding of the world. His books state that "you should not attempt to teach reading to hearing impaired children before they are speaking spontaneously in simple phrases" and that "the child's speech should be clear enough to allow him to say intelligibly all the words that appear in his first reading books" (Ling and Ling, 1978 pp. 256-257). Dr. Ling has equated speech intelligibility with readiness for reading and has not acknowledged the value of having a fully accessible language and its role in literacy as well as its role in deep meaningful relationships and understandings of the world. Dr. Ling was quoted as recently as September 1999, stating that, "his method will put an end to the deaf community" (Globe and Mail, September 24, 1999). This statement and the method he advocates and displays a pride in eliminating a cultural and linguistic group in our country's mosaic. It is deplorable that the Order of Canada would be given to such a man. What he espouses denies the rights of Deaf children to have a language that is truly accessible to them and a social community of Deaf people with whom they can be completely at ease and with whom they share the same cultural heritage and language. His open desire to "put an end to the 'deaf community'" is a clear expression calling for our cultural genocide.

Furthermore, Dr. has called our language (ASL) "a 19th century model" (Globe and Mail, September 24, 1999). American Sign Language (ASL) is not a model. It is a language just as English and French are languages. In fact ASL and Langue des Signes Quebecoise (LSQ) have both been recognized in Canada as languages and languages of instruction (Bill 4, Ontario), which is quite different from an educational model. ASL and LSQ are recognized languages in our country. What Dr. Ling espouses violates the Charter of Rights and the United Nations Convention of the Child that Prime Minister Mulrooney signed. Our language and our culture should not be at risk and a man who advocates such a philosophy certainly should not be honoured with the Order of Canada.

Surely, such a man who advocates the end of a cultural group in Canada does not "exemplify the highest qualities of citizenship". The Deaf community is abhorred by the selection of Dr. Ling for the Order of Canada. What would Canada be promoting if you continue to let this decision stand without reconsidering an appropriate action? Canada is recognized for diversity and its Charter of Rights. What Dr. Ling is promoting is a violation of our rights and calls for the elimination of the language, the culture and the spirit of the Deaf child and adult.

As an important body representing our Canadian government, we trust that you will reconsider your selection. Please do not promote Dr. Ling's oppression of our people by condoning and honouring his abusive actions and statements.

Sincerely,
Helen Pizzacalla, President