Interpreters in Parliament voice worries over potential reductions in service provision
The federal government of Canada is planning to make significant changes to the procurement of interpretation services, a move that has raised concerns among professional interpreters and bilingual institutions. Here's a breakdown of the current state of affairs and the key issues at hand.
Overview of Concerns and Changes
- Parliamentary Interpreters' Concerns: Professional interpreters are voicing their concerns over potential changes to procurement rules that could lead to cost-cutting measures. These changes could compromise public access to parliamentary interpretation services, potentially affecting the quality of interpretation during hearings.
- Supreme Court Translation Practices: Criticism has been levied against the Supreme Court for not translating pre-1970 rulings, a decision that some argue neglects responsibilities under the Official Languages Act.
- Official Languages Act: The Act mandates bilingualism in official institutions, requiring both English and French to be recognized as official languages. Organizations must comply with this Act to ensure equal access to services for both language groups.
- Freelance Interpreters' Qualifications: The potential changes to procurement rules and cost-cutting measures could impact the qualifications and quality of freelance interpreters used in official contexts. If cost becomes a primary factor, it might lead to hiring less experienced interpreters, which could compromise service quality.
- Technology Integration: The exploration of AI in interpretation services is a global trend. While AI can enhance accessibility and efficiency, it often lacks the nuance and cultural understanding that human interpreters provide.
Impact on Quality and Qualifications
The proposed changes could lead to a decrease in the quality of interpretation, as cheaper options might not meet the high standards required for accurate and nuanced communication in official contexts. Ensuring that interpreters meet rigorous standards is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of bilingual services in Canada.
The plans could compromise public access to parliamentary hearings, the Supreme Court, and other official bilingual institutions. AIIC-Canada, the Canadian section of the International Association of Conference Interpreters, argues that these changes would reduce the quality of interpretation services and compromise public access to government deliberations in both official languages of Canada.
The government is adopting a "lowest bidder" approach instead of the "best candidate" model, a stance that has been met with opposition from interpreters. The government is planning to remunerate interpreters by the hour instead of by the day, and interpreters will have to decide whether to submit bids to continue working on Parliament Hill.
M. Gagnon, an interpreter on Parliament Hill, expressed concern about the potential consequences of a quality decrease for MPs who rely on translation services. She declared that the hourly wage and lowest bid proposals are "unacceptable" to her, and if these proposals are introduced, she will no longer offer her services.
It is preferable to assign an interpreter to the Supreme Court if they have studied law or if it's their area of expertise, rather than sending someone who hasn't. Several interpreters on Parliament Hill have suffered hearing damage due to poor sound quality and audio feedback. Around a hundred accredited and qualified freelancers now handle approximately 60% of all parliamentary missions.
The government is seeking to make major changes to the supply of services for Parliament and other institutions, aiming to reduce procurement costs for interpretation services. Public Services and Procurement Canada launched a consultation with providers and industry in June regarding the new procurement approach. The majority of interpreters' work involves translating from English to French.
While the specific proposals for the supply of interpretation services for parliamentary hearings or the Supreme Court are not directly available, any alterations to interpretation services in official Canadian institutions could have significant implications for both the quality of services and the qualifications required for freelance interpreters.
- The changes in the procurement of interpretation services, as advocated by the Canadian government, have sparked concerns among professional interpreters and bilingual institutions, given potential implications for the quality of French interpretation services within parliamentary hearings and the Supreme Court.
- The fluctuations in interpretation policies and their emphasis on cost-effectiveness have provoked debates within the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation. These discussions revolve around the impact of these changes on the health-and-wellness of interpreters, as well as the general-news of equal public access to interpretation services in both French and English.
- As the federal government of Canada considers AI integration in interpretation services to increase accessibility and efficiency, there are concerns that it may compromise the nuance and cultural understanding that human interpreters offer – a factor that is crucial in the realm of science and workplace-wellness, where these services are often required.
