Question Period Note: Translation Bureau staff and freelance interpreters

The Translation Bureau (the Bureau) supports hybrid sittings of Parliament by providing interpretation services, among other things. Since the start of the pandemic, the Bureau has implemented several measures to protect the health and safety of interpreters. Despite the measures put in place and expert studies, sound-related incidents continue to occur occasionally. The Office continues to face capacity issues that impact parliamentary committee meetings. These issues have been the subject of numerous discussions during parliamentary committee meetings and exchanges with the International Association of Conference Interpreters – Canada region. The interpretation profession is in great shortage in Canada and throughout the world.

• The Translation Bureau is committed to providing quality interpretation services in support of Parliament and federal government departments and agencies while ensuring a safe environment for staff and freelance interpreters
  • The Translation Bureau has put in place several measures to safeguard interpreters in collaboration with its parliamentary partners
  • The working conditions of interpreters continue to improve thanks to the sustained efforts of the Translation Bureau and its parliamentary partners
  • Sound-related incidents continue to occur and the Bureau’s research remains focused on continuous improvement
  • The Translation Bureau is working with stakeholders in the Canadian language sector, including universities and professional associations, to find ways to foster a succession of certified interpreters and, eventually, the implementation of new interpretation programs

If pressed on capacity:

• Although the Bureau struggles to support committee extensions or unscheduled meetings, the Bureau is doing everything possible to increase its capacity and respond to Parliament's needs
• The Translation Bureau is committed to continuing research with experts to adapt to the hybrid Parliament, understand the source of the issues and continues to work with Parliament to improve the working conditions of interpreters

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Translation Bureau has worked closely with the House Administration on the implementation of virtual/hybrid parliamentary meetings. Demand for interpretation services can fluctuate greatly. To better meet demand, the Translation Bureau collaborates with its clients to plan and prioritize their needs in advance, and retains the services of freelancers as required. The Translation Bureau serves Parliament in priority and works closely with the House Administration, which determines where resources are allocated based on House priorities. When demand exceeds capacity for a given time slot, the House administration consults party whips to obtain direction on which meetings will obtain the resources required.

Directives

Following a complaint filed on January 31, 2022, by the Canadian Association of Professional Employees under the Canada Labor Code, the Translation Bureau received on February 1, 2023, two directions from the Labor Program of Employment and Social Development Canada regarding the mandatory use of ISO-compliant microphones, as well as the performance of random tests in the workplace. The directions were closed last August and the Translation Bureau is committed to continuing research and studies to protect the health and safety of interpreters in an approach of continuous improvement.

Not applicable