Study of the Translation Bureau / : Report 2 - Translation Bureau

On 22 February 2016, it was agreed that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages (hereafter the “Committee”) undertake a study on the Translation Bureau (hereafter the “TB”). The Committee held 6 meetings on this study and heard testimony from 18 witnesses. The Committee undertook this study in light of concerning media reports about the TB, especially with regard to its reduced workforce and its announcement that it was introducing a machine translation tool within the federal public service. This tool, called Portage, is a machine translation software system that uses statistical analysis. The Committee therefore undertook this study to examine the impact of the situation at the TB on Canada’s official languages within government. First, the report presents the mandate, duties and functions of the TB as well as the organization’s history. Second, it addresses the key issues and challenges raised by the various witnesses who appeared before the Committee. Lastly, the Committee proposes its recommendations.