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.
On April 25, 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’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.
“Legal translation is an indispensable component in providing equal access to justice in both official languages,” said Lametti (BCL’89, LLB’89). “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 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.
“The 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,” said Carola Weil, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies. “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.”