Question Period Note: Procurement of Official Languages Interpretation Services

The Translation Bureau’s interpretation services are essential to the functioning of the House of Commons, the Senate and their respective committees.

• On October 24, 2025, Public Services and Procurement Canada launched a new request for standing offer for official languages interpretation services for Parliament and other high profile events. The Standing Offers issued will replace services currently being offered under contracts, which expire in December 2025
  • The new process balances fiscal discipline and the quality of interpretation, while protecting the health and safety of interpreters
  • The Request for Standing Offers takes into account feedback from comments made during the request for information, so a per diem rate will be used
  • Drawing on expert advice and industry best practices, the Translation Bureau continues to implement concrete measures to meet Parliament's interpretation needs

If pressed on capacity:

• Despite the global shortage of interpreters, including in Canada, the Translation Bureau does not anticipate any capacity issues in meeting Parliament’s regular interpretation needs

If pressed on the health and safety of interpreters:

• Protective measures evolve according to technological advances and research in audiology and acoustics. These measures apply to all interpreters, whether they are employees or suppliers
• Incidents have decreased by 60% since 2020, and the Bureau will continue to require meeting organizers to comply with the strictest health and safety requirements for all interpreters

If pressed on the impact of choosing the lowest bidder on interpretation quality:

• The quality of interpretation is ensured not by the price requested, but rather through a rigorous mandatory supplier accreditation process as well as other requirements, and through ongoing monitoring of supplier performance (quality)

If pressed on the proposal to switch from daily to hourly rates:

• An hourly compensation model was initially considered, and described in the Request for information, because it would have been easier to manage administratively
• Several respondents to the request for information expressed a preference for daily rates, and considering this the Request for Standing Offer includes daily rates

If pressed on the fair treatment of suppliers:

• Following consultations with the industry, the Translation Bureau adjusted its new request for standing offer for interpretation services in official languages to Parliament. The purpose of these adjustments is to ensure fair compensation for interpreters' work, notably by using a daily rate, while maintaining the quality of services and protecting the health and safety of interpreters
• It is important to note that there is a global shortage of conference interpreters, due to high demand in the legal, medical and educational fields, as well as a limited number of accredited professionals

The Translation Bureau uses suppliers for approximately 40% of its demand for official languages interpretation in Parliament, and 80% for assignments outside Parliament. Although one-off contracts are occasionally employed, it mainly uses open solicitations.

In the summer of 2024, PSPC proposed an amendment to its contract with suppliers. The proposal was poorly received by many suppliers. PSPC acknowledged that it had lacked clarity in its communications about the amendment and offered suppliers a revised version of the contract that did not contain the amendment in question. The current contracts are in place until December 31, 2025.

The Request for Information launched by PSPC at the end of June 2025 closed on August 8, 2025. Nearly 50 suppliers submitted feedback that was taken into account in the preparation of the Request for Standing Offer, which will be published shortly.

The Request for Standing Offers was posted on October 24, 2025, with an initial closing date of November 24, 2025, for those who already hold accreditation with the Translation Bureau. There will be a second closing date in approximately mid-December to allow candidates who have taken the November certification exam to submit their bids.

• In 2024-25, the Translation Bureau provided 20,528 hours of official languages interpretation to Parliament, which represents $21.8 million in spending
  • The Translation Bureau uses suppliers for approximately 40% of the demand for interpretation in official languages in Parliament
  • While one-off contracts are occasionally employed, the Translation Bureau mainly uses open one-year contracts, renewable for an additional year
  • PSPC's new Request for Standing Offer runs from October 24 to November 24, 2025, with a second closing date later to accommodate interpreters that may receive accreditation in the near future