Interpreters working for the Parliament of Canada are tethered to the Hill for 13.5 hours each day. They spend considerable time preparing before each assignment. Federal officials suggest building standby and preparation time into freelancers’ hourly rates, but freelancers know that doing so would price them out of work in a lowest price system.
I am sure the minister is a very busy man. That said, it is regrettable that Minister Lightbound is absent today. The proposals of his ministry will effectively convert the Official Languages Act requirement for equality between French and English in Parliament to a guideline that may be followed or not.
Thank you for your invitation to appear and thank you to our colleagues in the booth today.
We will be happy to take your questions.