Official Languages committee  I don't know of any percentages, Mr. Généreux. However, I can tell you that, since the pandemic started, and since Parliament went virtual, we've noticed that we've been receiving fewer and fewer briefs [Technical difficulty], which help us prepare for our committees. An interpreter like me normally works on as many as three different committees a day.

Official Languages committee  That's correct.

Official Languages committee  The platform is the choice that was made by the Canadian government, which had its own reasons. On Thursday evening, you'll be hearing from expert witnesses who can definitely explain this better than I can. I'm not an expert on these platforms. Our association and the Translation Bureau are conducting studies on the platform, more specifically its impact on the work of interpreters and linguistic duality in Canada.

Official Languages committee  I wasn't actually talking about standards, Mr. Blaney. European institutions opted for interpretation platforms, whereas, here in Canada, we opted for a videoconferencing platform. The standards in question are the ISO standards, which apply in Canada as well. Unfortunately, the current platform doesn't meet ISO standards in the two categories you can see on the chart, which are fidelity and speech intelligibility, which is very important.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for your question, Mr. Boulerice. I would say we don't yet know the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to this toxic sound. You have to understand that we come and work day after day and that we are currently on the platform three or four hours every day. Before the pandemic hit, we were working six hours a day.

Official Languages committee  I would say yes. For lack of the necessary resources, the Translation Bureau already has to refuse to allow interpreters to work at certain meetings of members, such as caucuses, although it's not withholding their services from committee meetings for the moment. The Canadian government must absolutely invest in interpreter training to ensure there is a next generation of interpreters.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. We are here to talk but the quality of sound and auditory safety, but this is a very important question because I'm afraid the spokesperson for Public Services and Procurement Canada has misled you. It's true that we have worked three or four hours a day since May 2020, when the virtual Parliament started.

Official Languages committee  I would totally agree with that, as I told Ms. Martinez Ferrada, if that were possible. It seems to me that where there's a will, there's a way. Yes, it would definitely be a solution if everyone wore a headset.

Official Languages committee  In the document containing our opening remarks, we provide a list of available platforms that have been tested by an independent engineering company. As you'll see, the Zoom platform is ranked last. Other platforms, interpretation platforms, are more suitable. For example, the Kudo platform is used in Europe.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for that question. The contract in question is the freelance interpreters' contract and its renewable annually. The contract comes into force on July 1 x and expires on June 30. So that means decisions have to be made on the terms and conditions of the upcoming contract, which is what we're doing now.

Official Languages committee  As Ms. Martinez Ferrada proposed, and you yourself mentioned, there should be a deadline for confirming witnesses so they can acquire appropriate headsets. It's also very important to have a stable Internet connection. We also need the documents so we can prepare. I'm not an expert in all fields.

Official Languages committee  Yes, definitely. Anything you can do in advance will be a big help to us. You're right. Parliamentarians wear their headsets now, but it took some time for them to come around to the idea. It's unfortunately not a widespread practice among witnesses, but, if they have more time to receive the headset the House offers them, then they'll be able to use it.

Official Languages committee  Thank you for your question. The shortage of interpreters preceded the pandemic, which merely exacerbated the situation. Across the country, there are approximately 50 interpreters who currently work as Translation Bureau staffers and who are qualified to work on the Hill. We have to make sure that Parliament functions properly, and we rely on a very small group of people to do that work.

Official Languages committee  Zoom is a videoconferencing platform to which an interpretation function has been added. In Europe, they use interpretation platforms that are designed, first and foremost, for interpretation.

Official Languages committee  I couldn't tell you, Mr. Généreux. The House of Commons Administration must have had good reasons for choosing the Zoom platform. Its representatives will be testifying before you this evening. All I can tell you is what we've seen. The Zoom platform doesn't offer you high-quality service because we can't hear what you say clearly, and we have to interrupt you, among other things.