Enhance the quality and capacity of services provided by the Translation Bureau, and promote the economic vitality of Canada's translation and interpretation community.

What success looks like

The Government of Canada has access to high quality linguistic services that enable it to operate and to serve Canadians in both official languages.

Government's narrative on progress

In order to reposition the Translation Bureau as a centre of excellence, the government is implementing a new vision that seeks to: improve quality of services; strengthen relationships with professional associations, universities and clients; ensure effective resource management and planning, and guarantee that linguistic tools satisfy the needs of employees. The Translation Bureau’s Chief Quality Officer, has finalized a Quality Evaluation Framework and an action plan identifying a series of measures to improve quality. For example, the Translation Bureau’s new Supply Arrangement for Translation Services, which has been in effect since August 1, 2018, places greater emphasis on quality over price. The Translation Bureau, in collaboration with the interpretation industry, developed an open contracting process for conference interpretation focused on quality. This process was launched on buyandsell.ca on February 15, 2019. In addition, the Translation Bureau is working closely with clients, universities, associations and the language industry to ensure quality services and the vitality of language professions. It remains committed to hiring over 50 students per year, over the next 5 years, to train the next generation of language specialists. In 2018-2019, more than 150 students were hired. The Bureau has also taken steps to ensure that it is ready to embrace innovation, artificial intelligence and adopt leading-edge practices.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.