Code of Conduct for Interpreters

Interpreters providing services to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (the "Board") shall comply with the rules that are set out in the following Code of Conduct.

Rule 1 – Conduct Generally

1. Interpreters shall, at all times, conduct themselves with courtesy, discretion and decorum and provide high-quality services to assist the Board in its proceedings.
2. On the day of the proceedings, the interpreter shall go directly to the reception area or designated area for interpreters.  A case management officer or a clerk will meet the interpreter and inform him or her of the assigned case.
3. If the proceedings are recessed, adjourned, postponed or concluded the interpreter shall return immediately to the reception area or designated area for interpreters to await further instructions; in the event that the interpreter does not return immediately to the reception/designated area, he or she shall keep the case management officer or clerk informed of his or her whereabouts in case further interpretation services are required.
4. At no time shall the interpreter withdraw from, or leave, a proceeding without discussing the reasons for this with the presiding decision-maker.

Rule 2 – Competence

1. Interpreters shall only undertake to provide and shall only provide services for which they have the required competence.
2. If at any time the interpreter believes that he or she is unable to competently interpret or translate what is stated in the source language into the target language, the interpreter shall, without delay,  inform the case management officer or clerk or the presiding decision-maker, as the case may be. 

Rule 3 – Care, Skill, Diligence and Efficiency

Interpreters shall take all reasonable care to faithfully and accurately interpret or translate what is stated in the source language into the target language, having regard primarily to meaning and secondarily to style, without any paraphrasing, embellishment, omission, explanation, or expression of opinion, using the same person as in the source language and the closest natural equivalent of the source language.

Rule 4 – Impartiality and Avoidance of Conflict of Interest

1. Interpreters shall be, and shall appear to be, objective and impartial at all times, inside and outside the conference or hearing room, in relation to any matter for which they provide services to the Board.
2. Interpreters shall avoid, and where it arises, shall, without delay, disclose to the case management officer, clerk or presiding decision-maker, as the case may be, any real, potential, or apparent conflict of interest in relation to any matter for which they  provide services to the Board.

   Commentary:

   1. As soon as an interpreter becomes aware, for example, of any ties, whether personal, professional, or other, that the interpreter has or may have with the person with respect to whom he or she is providing interpretation, the interpreter is required to disclose this fact, without delay, to the case management officer or clerk or presiding decision-maker, as the case may be.
   2. An interpreter is likewise required to disclose, in the same manner and to the same person, for example,  any employment or other activity, association, or private interest, (such as membership in an organization that is critical of or in favour of the government of the country of origin of the person concerned), that may be incompatible with his or her duties as an interpreter.
   3. An interpreter is also expected, for example, to refrain from giving advice to, or discussing any aspect of a case with, any of the participants in the proceedings for which the interpreter is providing services to the Board.

Rule 5 – Confidentiality

Interpreters shall keep confidential all information gained in the course of providing services to the Board.  More specifically, interpreters shall not, either within or outside the Board premises, discuss, report on, or give an opinion concerning any matter for which they provide services to the Board.

Rule 6 – Compliance

Interpreters shall, without delay, disclose to the case management officer or clerk or the presiding decision-maker, as the case may be, any matter of which they are aware that may impede full compliance with this Code.

I have read and understood the Code of Conduct for Interpreters and hereby undertake to comply with its provisions.

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