Translation Bureau: Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates—March 22, 2023
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Translation Bureau virtual interpretation capacity
Context
Public Service and Procurement Canada’s Translation Bureau continues to work with the House Administration, Senate Administration and all partners to support Parliament’s virtual sittings and to ensure capacity while faced with an unprecedented volume of remote interpretation requests and a worldwide shortage in the interpretation profession.
Suggested response
- The Translation Bureau is committed to providing quality linguistic services in support of Parliament and federal government departments and agencies
- The Translation Bureau is committed to increasing and optimizing its interpretation capacity while protecting the health and safety of its interpreters
- While the Bureau hires all graduates who meet its quality standards, there is only a handful of graduates every year. The conference interpretation profession is a shortage group, not only in Canada, but around the world
- As the Translation Bureau is facing an unprecedented volume of remote interpretation requests, it is working with clients to plan and monitor demand carefully, leveraging contracts where appropriate
- The Translation Bureau serves Parliament on a priority basis and works in close collaboration with its parliamentary partners to support Parliament’s virtual sittings, assign priorities and to plan for future demand
If pressed on the House administration’s pilot project:
- We are continuing to work with the House Administration to implement the provision of interpretation from outside of parliamentary facilities using freelance interpreters
- The Bureau has contracts in place so that we can provide additional capacity per day using interpreters outside of Ottawa
- Any questions pertaining to the pilot project should be directed to the House Administration
If pressed on accreditation:
- To expand its pool of accredited interpreters, the Translation Bureau holds regular accreditation exams that is open to people who meet the eligibility criteria
- The latest accreditation exam was held in November 2022. Ten new freelancers were added to the Bureau’s pool. This year, another exam will be administered in June 2023
If pressed on contracts with accredited freelance interpreters:
- Demand for interpretation services can fluctuate greatly, and the Translation Bureau appreciates the efforts of accredited freelance interpreters, who continue to provide their services to respond to this varying demand
- Public Services and Procurement Canada issues a call for tenders on behalf of the Translation Bureau every 2 years, with the goal of awarding open contracts for interpretation services in official languages
- The open contract process was established in consultation with the Canadian interpreter community
If pressed on the next generation of interpreters:
- The Translation Bureau works in collaboration with the 2 universities that offer the Master’s degree in interpretation, University of Ottawa and York University, to train the next generation of interpreters
- The Translation Bureau is engaging with stakeholders in Canada’s language sector, including academic community groups and professional associations, to find ways to encourage a new generation of accredited interpreters
Translation Bureau virtual interpreter health and safety
Context
Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program issued 2 directions to the Translation Bureau on February 1, 2023. Interpreters are instructed, as of February 6, 2023, not to interpret participants who do not use an approved microphone, and to commission random sound tests in real work situations in the House and Senate committee rooms.
Suggested response
- The Translation Bureau is committed to providing high quality interpretation services in support of Parliament and federal government departments and agencies while ensuring a safe environment for staff and freelance interpreters
- The Bureau has worked in close collaboration with both House and Senate administrations to put in place the directions issued by Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program on February 1, 2023
- These instructions are in line with the work the Bureau is already doing with the administrations to improve sound quality
If pressed on the complaint from the Canadian Association of Professional Employees against the Translation Bureau and the directions issued to the Bureau by Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program on February 1, 2023:
- Parliamentarians see on a daily basis the important work of the interpreters, and we acknowledge that the last few years have been difficult for them, both physically and mentally
- Ensuring the health and safety of interpreters remains a priority for the Government of Canada and the Translation Bureau
- With the help of its partners, including the Senate Administration and the House of Commons Administration who are responsible for the technical requirements, the Translation Bureau has taken and will continue to take measures to protect interpreters
- In collaboration with its partners, the Translation Bureau is implementing the directions issued by Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program, which are in line with efforts already in place to protect interpreters
- The Investigator from Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program has accepted the Bureau’s response to both directions