Government of Canada launches a call for proposals for University Scholarships in Translation and the Language Industry Initiative
For immediate release
Gatineau, Québec, July 3, 2009 – The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today launched a call for proposals to strengthen the language sector in Canada. The Canadian Language Sector Enhancement Program is a contribution program that seeks to develop a skilled workforce and build capacity in the language sector.
The call for proposals announced today is intended to implement two initiatives called for under the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: the University Scholarship Program in Translation ($8 million) and the Language Industry Initiative ($10 million).
"I am pleased to announce this initiative, which will not only strengthen Canada's language industry, but also support the education sector, particularly students. The Government of Canada is proud to be a partner of the Canadian language industry," said Minister Cannon.
"The launch of this call for proposals is concrete evidence of the Government of Canada's commitment to support the development of a skilled language sector workforce in Canada," said Minister Paradis. "Investment in this sector is needed to sustain our linguistic duality, an essential part of our identity, which enables our culture to flourish."
University scholarships in translation will enable post secondary institutions to attract and graduate the translators and interpreters of tomorrow. The Language Industry Initiative, for its part, will allow major projects to be carried out, in particular to promote the industry and to organize internships in companies.
A backgrounder on the Canadian Language Sector Enhancement Program accompanies this news release.
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Ce texte est également disponible en français.
For further information, the media may contact:
Mary-Ann Dewey-Plante
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
613-218-6961
Email: Mary-Ann.Dewey-Plante@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
PWGSC news releases are also published on our Web site at
http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.
Backgrounder
Language Sector Enhancement Program
Public Works and Government Services Canada recently got the go-ahead to launch a call for proposals to strengthen the language sector in Canada.
About the language sector in Canada
The language sector in Canada has three components: language professions (i.e., translator, interpreter, terminologist and localization specialist), language training, and language technologies. The sector employs about 52,000 people across the country, according to the Language Industry Association.
About the Language Sector Enhancement Program
This Program is a contribution program that seeks to promote the language industry and professions, support the development of a skilled workforce, and integrate language technologies.
For that purpose, the Program has earmarked $8 million under a University Scholarships in Translation component to enable post secondary institutions to attract and graduate the translators and interpreters of tomorrow. Another $10 million is set aside under a Language Industry Initiative component to facilitate major projects, such as promoting the industry and organizing internships in companies.
To submit a project proposal, specific criteria must be met (see btb.gc.ca/clsep). These investments are detailed in the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008-2013: Acting for the Future.
About the Roadmap
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 shows the path the Government aims to follow to build upon Canada's solid foundations: participation in linguistic duality by all Canadians and support for official language minority communities.
About the federal government's 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.