Title: Access to Justice, Translation, and Interpretation in Canada\u2019s Official Languages<\/p>\n
Date and Time: October 19, 10:30<\/p>\n
Venue: Library Art Gallery<\/p>\n
Speaker : Marc Pomerleau, Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n
Abstract: In the Canadian legal system, individuals are entitled to legal services\u2014including access to original or translated documents\u2014in the official language of their choice, English or French, in areas under federal jurisdiction and in certain provincial and territorial domains. However, findings from a recent study we conducted among stakeholders from official language minority communities in Canada\u2019s legal sector indicate that access to these services remains unequal. Members of minority communities generally report being dissatisfied with the services they receive in their language. Furthermore, according to OLMC stakeholders, many individuals perceive themselves as being at a disadvantage when using legal services in their minority official language. Our results nonetheless reveal a more complex and nuanced landscape than the traditional \u201cFrench outside Qu\u00e9bec and English in Qu\u00e9bec\u201d dichotomy. Some provinces and territories have adopted policies and practices that actively support the provision of high-quality legal services in both official languages, including translation and interpretation for minority-language users. While the legal framework, the official status of languages, and provincial or territorial bilingualism rates all influence the delivery of such services, the engagement of legal professionals and community-based organizations also emerges as a key determinant. In short, although Canada recognizes two official languages, the reality of access to justice in both official languages varies significantly across the country.<\/p>\n
Bio: Marc Pomerleau is senior coordinator and associate researcher at the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Linguistic Minorities at Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al\u2019s Department of World Literatures and Languages. He is also a lecturer in modern languages, linguistics and translation and associate researcher in jurilinguistics at McGill University. His research focuses on the political and legal dimensions of languages and translation, with a particular focus on multilingualism and minority languages. He is also a Certified Translator working in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Title: Access to Justice, Translation, and Interpretation in Canada\u2019s Official Languages Date and Time: October 19, 10:30 Venue: Library Art Gallery Speaker : Marc Pomerleau, Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al Abstract: In the Canadian legal system, individuals are entitled to legal services\u2014including access to original or translated documents\u2014in the official language of [\u2026] <\/p>\n