Ottawa, April 16, 2025 – As the federal election campaign ramps up, debates often fail to address a key issue in the country’s democratic vitality: the future of French in the state apparatus. The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), which represents federal government translators, interpreters and terminologists, adds its voice to a group of nearly 70 academics (letter in French only) calling on political parties to commit to reversing the reckless cuts threatening the quality of the French language.
In a recent open letter, these academics reiterated that the nickel-and-dime approach behind the decision poses an immediate threat to the quality of French within government. They noted that drops in language quality will directly affect French speakers, and that translators “safeguard the French language and promote access to information.” Like CAPE, they call for a vision of bilingualism centred on human skill, cultural preservation and stringent standards rather than on productivity alone.
In a recent internal announcement that garnered widespread media attention, the government confirmed its plan to eliminate 339 Translation Bureau positions—nearly a quarter of the Bureau’s workforce—through attrition. Part of Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Translation Bureau is the federal agency responsible for providing language services, mainly translation, interpretation and terminology, to all federal departments and agencies. It plays a key role in enacting official bilingualism within the federal administration.
If the government continues along this path, it could jeopardize its own ability to meet its obligations under the Official Languages Act and related policies intended to ensure that services are offered in both official languages and are equivalent in terms of accessibility and quality.
While useful, automated tools are known to regularly reproduce anglicisms, reinforce stereotypes and even introduce serious errors. They cannot be relied on to deliver the high language standards required in sensitive areas such as government, legal or scientific communications.
“Our members work behind the scenes to ensure the bilingualism of the federal government, which is a fundamental pillar of our democracy,” says CAPE President Nathan Prier. “Their skills cannot be replaced by algorithms. The stakes involve not only their professional future, but also equitable access to government information for all francophones in the country.”
CAPE therefore once again demands that:
- The announced job cuts be immediately cancelled
- The Translation Bureau be given permanent funding
- Translation Bureau services once again be free and mandatory for all federal departments
- The Translation Bureau be transferred under the purview of the Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity to highlight its crucial role in protecting the French language and cement the fact that language services are more than a simple commodity
This isn’t merely a technical debate: it’s a matter central to Canadian identity. French cannot be treated as an expense, and its protection cannot be outsourced to machines. Generations of citizens grew up with the promise that French would be safeguarded in the public service. This issue should feature prominently in every party’s election platform, and should be a core concern for the future government.
Media requests:
Laura Gauthier, media@acep-cape.ca, 613-261-6526
Contact for academic group: chantal.gagnon.4@umontreal.ca
About CAPE
With more than 27,000 members, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees is one of the largest federal public sector unions in Canada, dedicated to advocating on behalf of federal employees in the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) and Translation (TR) groups, as well as employees of the Library of Parliament (LoP), the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (OPBO) and civilian members of the RCMP (ESS and TRL). Read more.
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