Translation Bureau to cut a quarter of its workforce over next 5 years
A recent decision by Canada’s Translation Bureau to reduce its workforce by 25% over the next five years has sparked criticism from the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE). The union, which represents staff translators on Parliament Hill, released a statement condemning the bureau’s plan to cut 339 positions through attrition.
The Translation Bureau, which provides translation services for all Canadian government agencies, boards, commissions, and departments, falls under the jurisdiction of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). CAPE president Nathan Prier expressed concern that reducing the bureau’s workforce could jeopardize bilingualism and hinder francophone Canadians’ access to reliable information.
Prier emphasized that the remaining translators would face increased pressure and decreased resources, leading to a decline in translation quality. He called on PSPC to reconsider the plan and prioritize the importance of the Translation Bureau’s work.
In response to the backlash, PSPC spokesperson Michèle LaRose cited a projected decrease in demand for translation services as the reason behind the workforce reduction. A recent Linkedin post by PSPC indicated that the Translation Bureau employs around 1,350 individuals.
The Bloc Québécois also criticized the decision, labeling it as a direct attack on Quebecers and francophones in Canada. The party expressed dismay over the consecutive cuts to official language departments and services.
A statement from the office of Ali Ehsassi, the minister of government transformation, public services, and procurement, acknowledged the declining demand for translation services and the increasing role of technology. However, Prier contested these justifications, arguing that the staff reduction was driven by unnecessary austerity measures. He also raised concerns about the quality of AI-generated translations, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human translators in producing accurate and nuanced translations.
The federal government’s 2024 fall economic statement highlighted the implementation of artificial intelligence to enhance productivity within the public service. The Translation Bureau’s extensive collection of bilingual texts serves as a valuable resource for training AI models to improve translation accuracy. The statement emphasized the importance of language AI that is grounded in Canadian content to support the evolving landscape of translation services.
Overall, the decision to reduce the Translation Bureau’s workforce has sparked debate and raised concerns about the impact on bilingualism and translation quality in Canada. As advancements in technology continue to shape the field of translation, the need to balance AI integration with human expertise remains a critical consideration for maintaining linguistic standards and accessibility.
