Access to Justice, Translation, and Interpretation in Canada’s Official Languages

By Marc Pomerleau (Université de Montréal, Department of World Literatures and Languages)

Date: Monday, October 19, 2026

Time: 1030-1200

Room: Library Art Gallery

Abstract: In the Canadian legal system, individuals are entitled to legal services—including access to original or translated documents—in the official language of their choice, English or French, in areas under federal jurisdiction and in certain provincial and territorial domains. However, findings from a recent study we conducted among stakeholders from official language minority communities in Canada’s legal sector indicate that access to these services remains unequal. Members of minority communities generally report being dissatisfied with the services they receive in their language. Furthermore, according to OLMC stakeholders, many individuals perceive themselves as being at a disadvantage when using legal services in their minority official language. Our results nonetheless reveal a more complex and nuanced landscape than the traditional “French outside Québec and English in Québec” dichotomy. Some provinces and territories have adopted policies and practices that actively support the provision of high-quality legal services in both official languages, including translation and interpretation for minority-language users. While the legal framework, the official status of languages, and provincial or territorial bilingualism rates all influence the delivery of such services, the engagement of legal professionals and community-based organizations also emerges as a key determinant. In short, although Canada recognizes two official languages, the reality of access to justice in both official languages varies significantly across the country.

About the speaker: Marc Pomerleau is senior coordinator and associate researcher at the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Linguistic Minorities at Université de Montréal’s Department of World Literatures and Languages. He is also a lecturer in modern languages, linguistics and translation and associate researcher in jurilinguistics at McGill University. His research focuses on the political and legal dimensions of languages and translation, with a particular focus on multilingualism and minority languages. He is also a Certified Translator working in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan.

Organized by the Department of Translation and Interpretation.