Official Languages committee  The Year of Languages.

Official Languages committee  May I share some figures?

Official Languages committee  You may draw your own conclusions. The annual growth rate is 18% per year for everyone. It takes four to seven years for the industry to double. The maximum Canadian growth rate in the number of translation graduates is 6% per year. Soon our translations may be done in Morocco.

Official Languages committee  We have participated in many consultations across the country, and many of the questions and issues raised here today have been voiced right across this country. In some ways, some of us are saying the same thing. I appreciate very much député Bélanger's suggestion to actually sit down together and propose something.

Official Languages committee  I'd also like to point out that when I went to university here, I had to pass a bilingualism test to get my diploma. Not a single university in Canada demands that any more. Shame on us.

Official Languages committee  I speak four languages.

Official Languages committee  I'd like to clarify certain points regarding the School of Public Service. In 1999, the School of Public Service conducted a pilot project with the private sector for the first time in its history. The success rate of that pilot project raised the pass rate of the School of Public Service by 20%.

Official Languages committee  — and that invest in translation and language training in the right way make more money. It's not just a social issue, a right that we have as a people; it's a also an economic issue. I would like to close by asking you to read the official proclamation of the Canadian Year of Languages, on page 6.

Official Languages committee  One of our strengths is that we forge alliances with many associations. We bring together representatives and associations. We are really the only ones doing this. For example, what is important for Canada, and for the government in particular, is the shortage of translation services.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. We represent the Language Industry Association, the only national organization working at the industry level in the language field. We would like to start by giving you an overview of who we are and who our members are. Then we can answer some of your questions and offer some proposals.