Ottawa – April 27, 2024 – The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) welcomes the order issued by the Labour Program on April 25, instructing the Translation Bureau to prohibit the delivery of interpretation services unless specific measures are always in place to protect interpreters against Larsen effects, or dangerous audio feedback.
Interpretation services ensure parliamentary exchanges are conducted in both official languages and compliant with the Official Languages Act. Service interruption would have dire consequences on parliamentary proceedings.
This instruction follows an investigation that was launched in mid-April, after an interpreter suffered a damaging workplace injury that has so far prevented them from returning to work. A complaint was lodged with the Labour Program that led to the investigator ruling that the workplace is unsafe and in violation of the Labour Code. The investigation’s findings are clear that Larsen effects – both from sudden and repeated exposure – can cause permanent hearing damage and constitute a serious threat.
“For almost a decade, interpreters have been placing themselves in harm's way every time they do their job,” said CAPE President Nathan Prier. “Despite an unacceptably high number of workplace injuries, the Translation Bureau has been slow to implement proper measures to protect their employees. This decision is a vindication for all those who have been suffering – an important step forward to ensure interpreters’ health and safety is protected when they do their job.”
Following the move to hybrid settings in 2020, interpreters have been experiencing higher rates of workplace injuries due to poor or inadequate equipment, which can cause audio feedback. These injuries have often been serious, permanently damaging the hearing of interpreters and rendering them unable to continue working in their profession.
“Every day, interpreters have been exposed to potential injuries that can have lasting and debilitating impacts. Interpreters care about the work that they do – but the measures taken so far by management and their partners have been insufficient to adequately protect their health,” said an interpreter represented by CAPE. “Faced with this situation, interpreters have been mobilizing through our union to pressure the government to act. This decision shows our work has produced results. We will maintain our efforts until all interpreters are permanently protected from undue risk.”
The Translation Bureau has been ordered to remove all earpieces and headsets with microphones and replace them with higher-quality versions that reduce the risk of feedback. Members of Parliament and committee chairs will also be receiving new information and instructions to ensure that proper procedures are observed.
About CAPE
With more than 25,000 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). For more information: acep-cape.ca
For media inquiries:
Katia Thériault
Tel: 819-431-1015
Email: ktheriault@acep-cape.ca
