Official Languages committee  I reference the comment that there is a new policy. There is no new policy. The policy is very clear that it will be in both official languages on the Surrey website as well. That has not changed. I think there is obviously a misinterpretation. There is no new policy--especially when it comes to public safety.

Official Languages committee  Is there a question of resources? I believe that British Columbia didn't have discussions about how they were going to pay for this. Obviously they are going to have to decide where they're going to find the money, but that will happen, because it's very clear from the commanding officer's perspective of that area that there will be 100% compliance, and the only way you can be compliant is to actually have translators who are available to you to translate.

Official Languages committee  We will ask the people from British Columbia and we'll let you know.

Official Languages committee  What about you, Ms. Ferreira?

Official Languages committee  With regard to comments and opinions expressed in the media, the RCMP's position is very simple: we must comply 100% with the Official Languages Act. The CO has made that commitment: 100% compliance. The commanding officer of that division has made it 100% compliance, and that's where we're going.

Official Languages committee  The decision to use Google Translate was made in the Pacific region, in British Columbia, by the communications team. It was an isolated decision, as the policy centre wasn't consulted at all. As soon as we heard about this decision, we got involved and set things right. We explained very clearly that we needed to comply with the Official Languages Act and that the decision to use a translation engine was inappropriate.

Official Languages committee  He's an RCMP employee, sir.

Official Languages committee  Yes, he's in charge of communications for British Columbia.

Official Languages committee  Yes, sir. I will yield the floor to Mr. Cogan, who is responsible for communications.

Official Languages committee  Yes, we are currently implementing a system for translating documents in British Columbia. As I already said, PWGSC translators from the rest of the country will help out. That's very clear. Yesterday, the commanding officer clearly stated that documents will comply with the law; in other words, they will be available in both languages.

Official Languages committee  Yes. Tim, could you continue?

Official Languages committee  I believe there is one. Ms. Ferreira?

Official Languages committee  No, sir, I do not have those figures with me today.

Official Languages committee  I can tell you that the RCMP has in-house translators in British Columbia, and that it has access to translation services here, in the national capital region. It has other options, as well, such as using the services of employees at Public Works. But I do not know how much the translation budget is exactly.

Official Languages committee  First, as for British Columbia's annual translation budget, I do not have those details with me today. We can check with the British Columbia detachment to see how much it spends on translation, but I do not have those details on hand today. As for the other question, I will ask Ms.