1. Language Interpretation and Translation Services
Update on Changes and how they will affect your organization
OCASI ED Forum, November 1, 2010

2. Purpose of the presentation
• To provide an overview of the LITS project
• To update on the approach that CIC Ontario Region is taking to implement
changes to the provision of LITS in the settlement sector
• To seek input on the approach’s impact on agencies

3. LITS Project Timeline
As a result of the LITS study completed in 2009, a committee was struck to move forward on
recommendations contained in “A Study of the Need for Language Interpretation and Translation
Services in the Delivery of Immigrant Settlement Programs”.
The LITS committee worked with PSTG Consulting to create “Guidelines and Standards to Guide
the Delivery of Interpretation in the Settlement Sector in Ontario”
LITS Study:
Proposed a series
of
recommendations
for improvement
Current Project:
Implementation of
recommendations
for improvement
COIA
Consultations:
Identified the
need for
improvement
Next Steps:
Implementation of
additional
activities required
for LITS in Ontario
2008 2009 2010 Future
COIA
Consultations:
Identified the
need for
improvement
LITS Study:
Proposed a series
of
recommendations
for improvement
Current Project:
Implementation
of
recommendations
for improvement
Next Steps:
Implementation
of additional
activities required
for LITS in Ontario

4. LITS Committee
• The LITS committee was created in December 2009, to provide input regarding sector
needs and to ensure that actions taken will actually meet the needs of the settlement
community
• Committee members include representatives from: MCI, CIC, Settlement Organizations
(large and small, rural and urban), and Settlement Organizations also currently funded
by MCI to deliver Language Interpretation Services (LIS) interpretation
• Committee worked with the same consultant who authored the original 2009 LITS
report, and oversaw additional research required to move the project along.
The committee provided input at every step of the research process (for example-
identified key dimensions which training and standards should exhibit, advised on
which key informants researchers should contact, recommended questions which
should be asked during community consultation process, and communicated potential
impact of recommendations on settlement SPOs).

5. Project Objectives- What the consultants examined
Research conducted by consultants falls into 3 main categories:
1. What boundaries should paid settlement interpreters and translators work within? In
order to answer this question:
a) Describe where and/or how interpretation is provided in other sectors (health,
legal, housing and education) as well as variances by region or location, and
b) Define the scope of interpretation services in the settlement sector in Ontario.
2. Identify provincial standards of practice for interpretation in the settlement sector.
3. Identify required training for interpreters and translators working in the settlement
sector:

6. 1. Boundaries
client
Settlement services:
a. Needs assessment
b. Counselling/case management
c. Orientation
d. Information and referral
education
employment
legal / justice
health
Interpreter
Immigrant’s Pathway through Settlement Services
This diagram describes the pathway through the settlement sector at a high
level and identifies the “line” where settlement services end to be just after
the referral to the allied service provider is made.
Tensions:
1. The lack of a solution on the other side of the line
2. Settlement workers wanting to provide the solution
3. The capacity of settlement sector to advocate for a solution
The line where settlement
services end

7. 1. Boundaries
• Reasons for drawing the line there:
 Need to draw the line somewhere and stop filling in the gaps in other sectors’ service
delivery
 This will support the professionalization of the settlement sector
 Not financially feasible to provide interpretation services for all client interactions on
the other side of the line

8. 1. Boundaries
• Implications of the boundary for SPOs:
 CIC will reimburse the cost for the use of qualified interpreters for the delivery of core settlement
services ( needs assessment, counselling/case management, orientation, information and referral).
 There will be a dedicated budget line for interpretation in direct delivery contribution agreements.
 Multilingual staff working at settlement agencies are not qualified as interpreters and should not be
interpreting for their clients in other sectors (liability issues as well as difficulty in performing both
roles simultaneously).
 CIC will also encourage other sectors “to do their fair share”. CIC will continue to provide leadership
in the area of interpreter services and engage in dialogue and joint ventures with other sectors
(health, legal, housing, education) to improve newcomer access to interpretation services.

9. 2. Interpretation Standards
• New standards for interpretation in settlement:
 CIC has adopted the National Standard Guide for Community Interpretation Services (NSGCIS)
which provides guidelines for the consistent and reliable delivery of high quality interpretation in
various human services sectors in Ontario.
 In order to ensure that the standard guide is appropriate for the settlement sector, CIC is going to
initiate dialogue with the Health Integration Network to create an addendum to the National
Standards Guide for Community Interpreters to include the following standards:
 Advocacy – Interpreters, as neutral and objective party, should refrain from advocacy
 Debrief – Interpreters should have access to a service provider with whom to debrief
particular client encounters
 Performance management – settlement organizations should have a system in place to
monitor and manage the quality of interpretation
 Standard encounter – settlement organizations should have a guideline that describes a
“generic” interpretation encounter for all parties involved.

10. 3. Interpreter Training
Guidelines for interpreter training:
In order to be reimbursed for the services of a professional interpreter, a SPO must ensure that the interpreter who they
use has completed an approved interpreter training program. This ensures that the quality of interpretation they receive
will be consistent and professional.
 Required training includes following elements:
 As a prerequisite for participation in interpreter training, student must:
 Score 75% or higher on either the CILISAT or ILSAT test;
 The training curriculum must include the following:
 Standards of practice and ethics including but not limited to confidentiality, impartiality (objectivity),
integrity, respect, accessibility, cultural sensitivity, advocacy, misconduct, ethical decision making, role
of the interpreter, role of the service provider, role of the client
 Core competencies including but not limited to language competence, interpreting competence,
accuracy, and limitations of practice
 Setting specific competencies including but not limited to areas of relevance to the settlement setting
such as advocacy, misconduct, ethical decision making and technical competence
 Students will complete at least 80 hours of training. This includes any setting specific training that is required
to address issues relevant to the settlement sector or local needs.

11. 3. What existing training meets these standards?
• Language Interpretation Services (LIS) curriculum delivered at LIS organizations (84-120 hours)
• Community College Training (180 hours)
• There is currently a large pool of interpreters who already hold this training, so this
recommendation does not require CIC to train interpreters but rather requires SPOs to ensure that
the interpreters they utilize can demonstrate that they have the required qualifications
• CIC will create a settlement specific module (8 hours), which will be delivered in Ontario Region 2-3
times a year, so that these interpreters and translators can become familiar with
settlement/immigration terminology and settings

12. Our Next Steps:
How will we implement these recommendations?
• CIC Ontario Region is in the process of negotiating with a SPO to develop the 8-hour
settlement module for interpreters.
• CIC Ontario Region is also going to create an electronic toolkit to be used by other
human services sectors to find solutions to their LITS needs.
• CIC Ontario Region will work to include an annex to the National Standards Guide.
• CIC Ontario Region will amend direct delivery agreements to include line items for
interpretation services.
• CIC will send a communiqué to settlement agencies to update them on the LITS project.
• Comments and Suggestions are welcome.