Statement from Public Services and Procurement Canada on the Office of the Procurement Ombud’s Reports on the Administration of Contracts for Interpretation Services

February 24, 2026 - Gatineau, Quebec           

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)’s Translation Bureau is committed to delivering high-quality interpretation services that uphold Canada’s linguistic duality and reflect the expectations of Canadians.

We take our responsibilities in administering interpretation service contracts very seriously, and acknowledge the findings raised by the Procurement Ombud. PSPC recognizes that between February and April 2025, work was not assigned based a random selection as per the Attribution of Work clause. During this period, preference in the attribution of work could have been given to the lowest‑priced accredited suppliers who were available. This did not have an impact on quality of service.

PSPC respects the role of the Office of the Procurement Ombud in reviewing concerns raised by suppliers. The department has reviewed the Ombud’s four reports and is actively taking steps to address his recommendations.

After the issue was identified in April 2025, PSPC promptly conducted an internal review and acknowledged in June 2025 a discrepancy in the Attribution of Work. PSPC is continuing its investigation into the circumstances and contributing factors of this matter. Additional steps have already been taken to ensure compliance with contract clauses, such as centralizing the work attribution function under a single authority to ensure better oversight. The work attribution process was also considered when establishing the new Standing Offer for interpretation services. The Translation Bureau is implementing other measures, including enhanced training for employees, clearer internal guidance, and improved record-keeping practices.

PSPC is committed to ensuring open, fair, and transparent procurement processes and is working on building and maintaining supplier confidence in the integrity of the procurement process while ensuring that interpretation services continue to meet the highest standards of professionalism.