Discussion · Oral Questions
Yves Perron Bloc Québécois
“We need skilled interpreters so French-speaking members can do our jobs, since 90 percent of translation here is from English to French. I want the government to reverse cuts to these services and protect their quality.”
“Madam Speaker, as Gilles Duceppe always says, there are two languages in the House of Commons: English and simultaneous interpretation. He is not wrong: Ninety per cent of translation is from English to French because everyone chooses English, even a good number of Quebec Liberals. Without our exceptionally talented interpreters, our privileges as members of Parliament would be violated. Let us be clear: French is not an irritant to be entrusted to the lowest bidder with lesser accreditation standards. Will the government maintain the full scope and quality of our interpretation services and reverse the cuts?”
Official Hansard
Madam Speaker, as Gilles Duceppe always says, there are two languages in the House of Commons: English and simultaneous interpretation. He is not wrong: Ninety per cent of translation is from English to French because everyone chooses English, even a good number of Quebec Liberals. Without our exceptionally talented interpreters, our privileges as members of Parliament would be violated. Let us be clear: French is not an irritant to be entrusted to the lowest bidder with lesser accreditation standards. Will the government maintain the full scope and quality of our interpretation services and reverse the cuts?