For immediate release
OTTAWA, Ontario, March 18, 2010 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced today the signing of five contribution agreements for university scholarships and internships that will strengthen Canada’s official languages. The agreements support the federal government’s Canadian Language Sector Enhancement Program which favors the development of a skilled workforce and integrates language technologies.
In July 2009, Public Works and Government Services Canada invited project proposals for university scholarships in translation and language industry initiatives to support the government’s official languages strategy, the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future. Through the contribution agreements announced today, the government is investing $7 million in the projects, which will enable post secondary institutions to attract more students to their translation and interpretation programs.
“Support for Canada’s future translators and interpreters is critical to building a strong official languages sector in Canada,” said Minister Ambrose. “Which is why I was pleased to see such a huge response when we issued a call for proposals this past summer. Language professionals provide essential translation and interpretation services that are vital to Canada’s linguistic duality.”
“I feel it is essential to emphasize the scope of this excellent initiative undertaken by Public Works and Government Services Canada,” said Jean-Michel Beaudry, President, Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française. “Through this innovative program, scores of young students in translation programs across Canada will gain meaningful work experience. We are very proud to have been selected to manage this program and know that by focusing on today’s youth, we are helping to build a Canada that is the richer for its linguistic duality.”
Contribution agreements have been awarded to the following institutions to support their translation programs:
- Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française – $3,713,625 for internships
- Université de Moncton – $735,250 for scholarships
- University of Ottawa – $1,789,508 for scholarships
- York University – $400,018 for scholarships
- Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface – $331,148 for scholarships
More projects are currently being evaluated and more announcements are expected in the coming months.
A backgrounder on the Canadian Language Sector Enhancement Program accompanies this news release.
- 30 -
Ce texte est également disponible en français.
For further information, the media may contact:
Chris Hilton
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
613-697-7324
Email: Chris.Hilton@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Media Relations
819-956-2315
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
BACKGROUNDER
The Language Sector Enhancement Program
The Language Sector Enhancement Program is a contribution program that promotes the language industry and professions, supports the development of a skilled workforce, and integrates language technologies.
The Program has earmarked $8 million under the University Scholarships in Translation component to enable post-secondary institutions to attract and train translators and interpreters. Another $10 million has been set aside under the Language Industry Initiative component to facilitate major projects, such as promoting the industry and organizing company internship.
These investments are detailed in the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future.
Canada’s Language Sector
The language sector in Canada has three components:
- translation (including translators, interpreters, terminologists and localization specialists)
- language training, and
- language technologies.
The sector employs about 52,000 people across the country, according to the Language Industry Association.
The Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future lays out a path for the Government of Canada to fulfill its commitment to linguistic duality and our two official languages. The Roadmap builds upon Canada's solid foundations: participation in linguistic duality by all Canadians and support for official language minority communities.
Translation Bureau
Public Works and Government Services Canada's Translation Bureau is a partner in the Canadian language industry. As the Government of Canada's centre of expertise in translation and linguistic services, the Bureau's mission is to support the government and Parliament in their efforts to serve and inform Canadians in the official language of their choice.
Ce texte est également disponible en français.
