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Government of Canada announces funding for training to enhance access to justice in both official languages

Published: 25 April 2019

Canadians expect that their official language should not be a barrier to accessing justice. This is why the Government of Canada is working to enhance the capacity of Canada’s justice system to offer legal services and information to French-speaking and English-speaking communities across the country.

Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the Government of Canada is supporting professional development in legal translation at McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies. This funding will support the development of an online program in legal translation that will allow jurists and translators across Canada to access training opportunities through distance education. The Department of Justice Canada is providing $329,105 in funding through its Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund.

McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies anticipates and responds to the educational needs of its learners by promoting transformative learning through innovative programming, cross-disciplinary curricula, and specialized resources. By offering this online program in legal translation, it will increase the capacity of those working in the justice system to offer justice services and information in both official languages.

“Legal translation is an indispensable component in providing equal access to justice in both official languages. I am proud to support an initiative that will improve access to justice for French-speaking and English-speaking communities across Canada and promote the development of our professionals." -The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

“McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies is proud to contribute to greater access to justice in Canada through its newly enhanced comprehensive online curriculum and graduate diploma in legal translation. Thanks to the generous support of the Ministry of Justice, we will be able to bring legal translation education to bilingual jurists and translators from coast to coast, and to help ensure that individuals enjoy the full benefits of Canadian democracy regardless of language.” -Carola Weil, PhD, Dean, School of Continuing Studies / McGill University

 

Quick Facts

  • The Department of Justice Canada’s Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund provides funding to non-profit organizations, learning institutions and provincial and territorial partners to meet the needs of minority French and English speaking communities across the country.
  • To increase access to family justice – and divorce in particular – in both official languages, Budget 2019 proposes to invest $21.6 million over five years, starting in 2020-21. This funding will help improve the availability of bilingual services in the family justice system.

 

Associated Links

 

Source: Government of Canada release

 

CONTACTS:

For more information, media may contact:
Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-6568

rachel.rappaport [at] justice.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207

media [at] justice.gc.ca

 

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