Gaelic retailer says language is important economic generator in Nova Scotia
He says that Gaelic festivals, classes and events generate $26 million for the economy each year
Members of the Gaelic community are upset about a cut in the provincial government's Gaelic Affairs Department that will see 40 per cent of its staff eliminated.
Two of the department's five staff have been laid off.
Gaelic retailer Trueman Matheson says there's been a big resurgence of interest in the language and culture in recent years. He says the province is failing to recognize that.
"I'd like them to recognize the fact that the Gaelic Affairs [office] is the smallest by far of the cultural affairs offices in Nova Scotia and to cut back two positions in that particular office will have a devastating effect on it," he said.
Matheson lives in Antigonish and sells Gaelic books, tapes and other materials.
He says the effects were felt almost immediately because one of the people laid off was responsible for sending out a weekly Gaelic newsletter.
"People receive this all over North America, even in Scotland and other parts of the world, and they have a very extensive mailing list. When that didn't arrive in people's email boxes, people missed it immediately. I heard a number of comments concerning that from individuals, particularly in Scotland."
Matheson says that one-third of Nova Scotians claim Scottish ancestry.
Matheson says Gaelic is an important contributor to the economy and argues that Gaelic festivals, classes and events generating $26 million worth of economic activity each year.