Ottawa -- New procurement rules intended  to alleviate the shortage of freelance interpreters qualified to work in the Parliament of Canada could make the shortage much worse according to a new survey released today.

The new rules, if implemented, would increase by 50% freelancers’ exposure to the harmful effects of interpreting digitally compressed sound delivered over internet platforms which enable MPs and others to participate in parliamentary meetings remotely.

According to the survey if the length of daily time in the booth on the Hill is increased from four to six hours a day:

• Eight-in-ten (81%) are unlikely to increase their availability to work in Parliament
• Two-thirds (65%) are likely to decrease their availability to work in Parliament
• Seven-in-ten (69%) are unlikely to maintain their current availability to work in Parliament
• 87% of freelancers who have never worked on the Hill but planned to do so will change their minds

The new rules are not negotiated between freelancers and the federal government. Rather, they are devised and imposed by the federal department of Public Services and Procurement.  Freelancers, as independent contractors, can choose to offer their services to work in Parliament under whatever conditions are required or not to.

“The shortage of freelance interpreters has become acute. However, if these new rules become official, they will only make matters worse,” says Nicole Gagnon, spokesperson for the Canada Region of the International Association of Conference Interpreters which conducted the survey.

The shortage of interpreters on the Hill has led to events being cancelled or conducted on a unilingual basis. Poor quality sound has exacerbated the situation.

Currently, about half of all parliamentary interpretation is done by freelancers with the balance done by staff who work for the Translation Bureau of Canada.

“The government is taking a big gamble that could cripple our democracy and undermine bilingual discourse in Parliament if they lose. The stakes are large. We urge the federal Liberal government to proceed with caution", Gagnon said.

The survey was conducted online between April 14 and 21. All accredited freelance interpreters were invited to participate: 82% responded including almost all (95%) of freelancers who work in Parliament.

For information:

Jim Thompson

613-447-9592