This year marks a monumental milestone for the Canadian Translation Bureau, as the institution celebrates 90 years of service to the nation. Established in 1934, the Translation Bureau has become a cornerstone of Canada’s language industry, providing vital translation, interpretation, and terminology services to ensure that government communication is accessible in both of Canada’s official languages and beyond. To commemorate this occasion, Localization Fireside Chat hosted a special panel featuring five of the Bureau’s former and current CEOs: Donna Achimov, Stéphan Déry, Lucie Séguin, Dominic Laporte, and the current CEO, Jean-François Lymburner. Their collective reflections offered a fascinating look at the Bureau’s journey and the road ahead in a rapidly evolving language services landscape.
A Legacy of Inclusivity and Accessibility
Donna Achimov, who served as CEO from 2011 to 2016, reflected on the strides made in accessibility and inclusivity during her tenure. Under her leadership, the Bureau emphasized the importance of making government communications accessible to all Canadians, regardless of their language or ability. “We promoted accessibility as a core public service value,” Achimov shared. “I’m proud to say that the Translation Bureau set the standard, ensuring interpreters and sign language professionals became integral to major government events.”
During Achimov’s time, the Bureau also faced the government’s Deficit Reduction Action Plan, a period of financial constraints that demanded innovative approaches to continue delivering quality services. Her team adopted new technologies and streamlined processes to uphold service standards without compromising on quality—a hallmark of the Bureau’s mission.
A Commitment to Indigenous Languages and Diversity
Stéphan Déry, who held the role from 2017 to 2019, shared how the Bureau’s inclusiveness extended to Indigenous language support, a major milestone in the Bureau’s efforts to reflect Canada’s diversity. He recalled a historic achievement during his tenure: the translation of Canada’s first leaders’ debate in Indigenous languages. “This work marked a transformative step toward a more inclusive Canada,” Déry said. He also highlighted the Bureau’s commitment to gender inclusivity and non-gendered language, adding, “Inclusiveness is at the heart of the Bureau’s mission and shows how we have evolved to better serve all Canadians.”
Rising to the Challenge During a Global Pandemic
For Lucie Séguin, CEO from 2019 to 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges. With urgent health updates and essential information needing rapid dissemination, the Bureau expanded its services to include more languages and provided sign language support to reach every corner of the country. “The pandemic tested us like never before,” Séguin said. “We had to adapt instantly, delivering critical health information in multiple languages, including Indigenous and sign languages, to keep Canadians informed.”
This era also saw the Bureau embrace new digital tools and hybrid work models, ensuring continuity of service amid widespread disruption. Under Séguin’s leadership, the Bureau played an essential role in disseminating vital terminology and information to an international audience, underscoring its reputation as a global leader in multilingual communications.
Embracing Generative AI and a New Era of Safety
Dominic Laporte, who led the Bureau from 2023 to 2024, took on the challenge of integrating new technology, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). As AI tools became increasingly prominent, Laporte emphasized the Bureau’s responsibility to adopt these technologies thoughtfully, always with a focus on quality and safety for both employees and clients. “The Translation Bureau was ahead of the curve with AI,” Laporte noted. “Our goal was to make sure that as technology evolves, we remain a trusted and adaptive institution.”
In addition to AI, Laporte advanced health and safety initiatives, recognizing the physical and mental demands on interpreters and translators. His contributions ensured that the Bureau could implement modern technologies while maintaining the well-being of its team.
A Vision for the Future
Jean-François Lymburner, the current CEO, closed the panel with a forward-looking perspective. Recognizing the Bureau’s longstanding foundation, he emphasized that the future would require a blend of tradition and innovation to meet rising demand. “We are one of the largest language service providers globally,” Lymburner said. “Our mission remains clear: to serve Canadians with the highest standards of linguistic accuracy, whether through translation, interpretation, or evolving AI capabilities.”
Lymburner believes that AI will continue to revolutionize the industry, offering opportunities for growth, efficiency, and new types of language services. However, he stressed that quality and human expertise would remain central to the Bureau’s mission. “We’re focused not only on translation but on managing the quality and integrity of Canada’s multilingual commitments,” he added.
The Path Forward
The Translation Bureau’s 90-year journey has been defined by adaptability, excellence, and a commitment to inclusivity. From its early days to its current role as a global language services leader, the Bureau has shown that it is more than just a translation agency—it is a guardian of Canada’s linguistic identity. This milestone celebration highlighted not only the Bureau’s past achievements but also its readiness to tackle future challenges with innovation and integrity.
As Canada continues to embrace diversity and technological advancement, the Translation Bureau will remain a trusted partner, ensuring that every voice, in every language, is heard. Here’s to the next decade of language leadership, excellence, and service.
it was such a great pleasure for me to be joined on this episode of the Localisation Fireside Chat by this panel of experts whom I admired and worked with for many years.
Dear employees, managers, and executives of the Translation Bureau, Cheers to another 90 years of language excellence
Until next time this is Robin Ayoub signing off
Robin Ayoub 
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