OTTAWA – At the Canadian Labour Congress’s (CLC) Lobby Day on November 28, 2023, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) met with parliamentarians to garner support for the Association’s top priorities, including remote work and the health and safety of federal interpreters.
During a series of meetings – both virtual and in-person on Parliament Hill – CAPE’s member-led delegation urged senators and members of Parliament to support remote and flexible work, noting the benefits that it provides not just for public sector employees and their employer, but for all Canadians.
The CAPE delegation also urged parliamentarians to stand up for the health and safety of federal interpreters. Since the move to a virtual Parliament in March 2020, federal interpreters have experienced a record number of safety incidents, many resulting in injuries. CAPE has been fighting for solutions, and while some of the Association’s recommendations to various standing committees have led to improvements, problems still exist. Accredited simultaneous interpreters are essential for the government to fulfill its obligations under the Official Languages Act.
The delegation was comprised of four CAPE members from across the country, ensuring that National Capital Region and regional perspectives were represented. The members were selected by CAPE’s National Executive Committee from 16 applicants.
CLC Lobby Day is an annual event that brings together hundreds of union representatives, including from the federal public sector. This was the second lobby day of 2023, with the first taking place in February. Originally held early in the year, the event has now been moved to the fall to better align with the parliamentary calendar.
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In attendance:
CAPE delegation
Sophia Nicole Ir EC Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Peter Timusk EC Statistics Canada
Sean Dwyer EC Indigenous Services Canada
John Arthur EC Health Canada
The CAPE delegation met with the following parliamentarians:
Senator Pierette Ringuette Independent Senators Group (New Brunswick)
Senator Sharon Burey Canadian Senators Group (Ontario)
Hon. Steven MacKinnon Chief government whip (Gatineau)
Hon. Mona Fortier Liberal MP (Ottawa-Vanier)
Jenica Atwin Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
Taleeb Noormohamed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Québécois (Mirabel)
Richard Cannings NDP MP (South Okanagan-West Kootenay)
Jenny Kwan NDP caucus chair (Vancouver East)
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