In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Parliament rapidly moved its meetings online. The lack of proper technical infrastructure and poor practice caused several interpreters, CAPE TR members, to be injured on the job. This also affected their ability to effectively champion Canada’s two official languages.
On March 13, 2020, the federal government mobilized its entire workforce to quickly transition to a virtual workspace. A decision was also made for Parliament to hold its meetings and hearings on virtual platforms to ensure business continuity. However, the decision overlooked constraints and challenges that would impact the government’s ability to offer interpretation services to parliamentarians and other Canadians, and to guarantee a safe work environment for federal interpreters.
In early May, CAPE TR members reached out to CAPE to report several problems linked to their new work environment since the early days of sheltering in place. More injuries, fewer interpreters available to perform their duties, lack of compliance with interpretation rules by meeting participants, inadequate equipment and technology, all led to a dramatic increase in cases of interrupted interpretation services and in the risk of suspended services. For CAPE, health and safety in the workplace is paramount. CAPE is also a fervent champion of Canada’s two official languages. On May 4, 2020, CAPE urged members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) to urgently adopt corrective measures.
Updates
- April 27, 2024 - Translation Bureau forced to better protect interpreters after dangerous working conditions confirmed
- September 27, 2023 - CAPE meets with Translation Bureau CEO, discuss AI and interpreters’ health and safety
- July 11, 2023 - Working group struck to increase pressure for solutions to safeguard interpreters’ health and safety
- June 15, 2023 - CAPE urges government to delay hybrid Parliament until interpreter health and safety is addressed
- March 20, 2023 - One incident is one too many - resource page
- February 22, 2023 - CAPE meets Translation Bureau’s new CEO
- February 21, 2023 - CAPE advocates for its members at CLC Lobby Day
- February 3, 2023 - Translation Bureau failed its interpreters, ordered by Labour Program to take immediate corrective action
- October 21, 2022 - CAPE calls on Translation Bureau to take immediate action after interpreter sent to hospital following workplace injury
- October 11, 2022 - CAPE presses House of Commons to keep interpreters’ safety top of mind amid hybrid work discussions
- August 9, 2022 - Update on Interpreter's Health and Safety - Labour Program's Decision
- April 13, 2022 - CAPE submits written brief to the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy on recommended actions to solve interpreters' health and safety concerns
- February 2, 2022 - CAPE issues complaint against the Translation Bureau for the failure to meet its obligation to protect interpreters' health and safety
- May 6, 2021 – The Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG) tables its report to Parliament which includes one of CAPE’s recommendations who is also mentioned in the report.
- February 16, 2021 – CAPE’s submits written brief to the LANG
- June 15, 2020 – CAPE’s brief entitled Addressing the Challenges Faced by Interpreters During Virtual Parliamentary Meetings and Hearings/COVID-19 was published on PROC’s website
- May 15, 2020 – PROC tables its report to Parliament, includes CAPE’s recommendations
- May 4, 2020 – CAPE testifies before PROC and makes several recommendations to improve the situation the interpreters are facing
- April 29, 2020 – CAPE request for the PROC to look at offering better protection for federal interpreters
Publications, Tools and References
- Future of Hybrid Proceedings in the House of Commons - Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
- Written brief to the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy on recommended actions to solve interpreters' health and safety concerns
- Summary of Preliminary Findings: Survey of Interpreters' Experience with Virtual Sittings of Parliament
- Download CAPE’s written brief to the LANG
- LANG’s recommendations to Parliament
- PROC recommendations report
- PROC meeting minutes
- Download CAPE letter to PROC
Relevant Articles
- February 6, 2023 - Federal government failed to protect Parliament Hill interpreters from injury: Tribunal
- December 22, 2022 - CAPE appeals to the Senate to champion interpreters’ auditory health and safety
- December 20, 2022 - CAPE and Bloc Québécois MPs meet to improve interpreters’ auditory health and safety in the workplace
- April 27, 2022 - CAPE, Bloc Québécois explore solutions to interpreters’ health and safety concerns
- February 2, 2022 - CAPE issues complaint against the Translation Bureau for the failure to meet its obligation to protect interpreters’ health and safety
- May 26, 2021 - CAPE survey confirms continued Parliamentary interpreters’ health and safety risks a year into the pandemic
- May 12, 2020 - CAPE Sounds the Alarm at the House of Commons on Injuries Sustained by Interpreters
Campaign
- March 20, 2023 - One incident is one too many - resource page
