Official Languages committee  I think this is the best way to guarantee that and to ensure that there will be no administrative changes that could be harmful, as has been the case since 1995. We must not forget that the Official Languages Act has a special status: it is a quasi‑constitutional act. So that wou

Official Languages committee  I think the Translation Bureau’s hands and feet are tied in many areas, including interpretation, because its budgets haven't changed since 1995. It doesn't really help things at all. However, I can assure you that the private sector and all the associations, including the Ordre

Official Languages committee  There are two things. First, the university translation programs need to be built up. There are only two, or actually one and a half. These should be reinforced and at least a third added. Next, a scholarship program should be created. Personally, I joined the Translation Burea

Official Languages committee  I'm not opposed to that.

Official Languages committee  It depends on the mandate entrusted to it by giving it that responsibility.

Official Languages committee  Absolutely, and that makes the role of the Translation Bureau very difficult. Take interpretation, for example the bureau no longer provides interpretation for conferences given by departments, but now devotes all its resources to Parliament Hill. I want to clarify something. I

Official Languages committee  I can’t tell you more because the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec will be called to appear in this matter. So I would prefer not to comment on it.

Official Languages committee  As I said earlier, it would be a good idea to enshrine translation and its importance to the application of the Official Languages Act. Respect for the fundamental constitutional right not to speak the other official language and to obtain quality services and documentation in th

Official Languages committee  Since the creation of the Bureau in 1934, and until 1995, it was mandatory to go through the Translation Bureau. Departments did not have to pay for these services because parliamentary appropriations were allocated to the bureau. The user‑pay concept has been in place for 27 ye

Official Languages committee  That is the Translation Bureau's exclusive mandate. That's why I wanted to quote subsection 4(1) of the Translation Bureau Act. However, that mandate was taken away as a result of the 1995 decision. Basically, it's now up to agencies like Treasury Board to make things right.

Official Languages committee  As president of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec, I have personally written to the Speaker of the House of Commons to express our concerns about the use of interpreters who have not been accredited beforehand. I am about to write to him ag

Official Languages committee  No.

Official Languages committee  The indications I have are that the blockage is in the federal government, specifically Treasury Board. So that’s where you should intervene.

Official Languages committee  I can confirm that there is currently a shortage of interpreters on Parliament Hill. Accreditation is done by the Translation Bureau, and there's a problem with this right now. That's why my fourth recommendation is to strengthen translation and interpretation training programs

Official Languages committee  Yes, there are accredited interpreters. Interpretation is provided both by people from the private sector and by public servants from the Translation Bureau, a combination that doesn't pose a problem. We need to work with Parliament, the House and the Senate to create the best p