Our justice system relies heavily on qualified and skilled interpreters to ensure effective communication, a vital aspect of any civil society. Accredited interpreters in the Ministry of Attorney General of Ontario work tirelessly to uphold the rights of individuals who require interpretation services. However, their current fees have not been updated to reflect the rise in living costs, impacting the sustainability of their profession.

In the Province of Ontario, approximately 15 percent of citizens speak a language other than English or French at home, according to Statistics Canada. This reinforces the crucial role that interpreters play in our justice system. Despite this, their remuneration does not adequately compensate them for their expertise and the importance of their role.

By neglecting to review and increase their pay, we risk losing valuable members of our justice system as they seek better compensation elsewhere. This could result in a lower quality of translation and potentially unfair outcomes for those relying on interpretation in legal situations.

We call on the Ministry of Attorney General of Ontario to prioritize the review and increase of fees for accredited interpreters. Recognizing their essential contributions to our community, it’s time we improve their working conditions to meet the rising standard of living in Ontario.

Please sign this petition and thereby support our cause of advocating for fair remuneration for the hardworking accredited interpreters in the Ministry of Attorney General of Ontario.