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Date: 2023-07-12
By: PrimaryDocuments.ca
Citation: PrimaryDocuments.ca, Section 14, Right to an Interpreter: Compilation of primary documents to assist in interpreting the public meaning of Section 14 of the Constitution Act, 1982, First Ed. (July 2023).
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SECTION 14

Right to an Interpreter

Compilation of primary documents to assist in interpreting the public meaning of Section 14 of the Constitution Act, 1982

First Edition

July, 2023

The Constitution Act, 1982

Part I. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Legal Rights

Interpreter

Section 14 A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

PART 1:

Drafting History of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Pertaining to Section 14’s Public Meaning

Drafts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

January 8, 1979: Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms, Federal Draft, tabled at Meeting of Officials on the Constitution, (January 11-12, 1979)
October 17, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (October 22-23, 1979)
November 5, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Meeting of Officials on the Constitution (November 15-16, 1979)
July 4, 1980: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Discussion Draft, Tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (July 8-11, 1980)
August 22, 1980: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Federal Draft, Tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (August 26-29, 1980)
August 28, 1980: Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Report to Ministers by Sub-Committee Officials [Provincial Draft], Tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (August 26-29, 1980)
September 3, 1980: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Revised Discussion Draft, Federal, tabled at the Federal-Provincial First Ministers’ Conference (September 8-12, 1980)
October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen Respecting the Constitution of Canada
January 12, 1981: Draft submitted to the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution of Canada
February 13, 1981: Draft Tabled in House of Commons from the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution [Final Report]
April 23, 1981: House of Commons Draft, used in Reference Re: Resolution to Amend the Constitution
November 18, 1981: House of Commons Draft
November 24, 1981: House of Commons Draft
November 26, 1981: House of Commons Draft
December 2, 1981: House of Commons Draft & Vote

Statutes and International Agreements:

1978: Bill C-60: An Act to amend the Constitution of Canada

[This section is incomplete]

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Drafts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

January 8, 1979: Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms, Federal Draft, tabled at Meeting of Officials on the Constitution, (January 11-12, 1979)

(j) the right to the assistance of an interpreter in any proceedings before a court, tribunal, commission, board or other authority, if the party or witness does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted; and

(Source: Meeting of Officials on the Constitution, Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms, Federal Draft, [January 8, 1979] (Ottawa: 11-12 January, 1979). Click HERE)

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October 17, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (October 22-23, 1979)

(j) the right to the assistance of an interpreter in proceedings before a court or tribunal, if the accused or witness does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

(Source: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation Federal Draft , [October 17, 1979] (Halifax: 22-23 October, 1979). Click HERE)

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November 5, 1979: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, tabled at the Meeting of Officials on the Constitution (November 15-16, 1979)

(j) the right to the assistance of an interpreter in proceedings before a court or tribunal, if the accused or witness does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

(Source: Meeting of Officials on the Constitution, Rights & Freedoms within Canadian Federation, Federal Draft, [November 5, 1979], Doc 840-177/005 (Toronto: 15-16 November, 1979). Click HERE)

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July 4, 1980: Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Discussion Draft, Tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (July 8-11, 1980)

j) the right to the assistance of an interpreter in any proceedings before a court, tribunal, commission, board or other authority, if the party or witness does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

[…]

any person giving evidence before the court has the right to be heard in English or French, through the services of an interpreter where necessary, and the right not to be placed at a disadvantage is so being heard.

(Source: Meeting of the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Rights and Freedoms within the Canadian Federation, Discussion Draft. Tabled by the Delegation of the Government of Canada, 4 July 1980, Doc 830-81/027 (Montreal: 8-11 July 1980). Click HERE)

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August 22, 1980: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Federal Draft, Tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (August 26-29, 1980)

15. A party or witness has the right to the assistance of an interpreter if that person does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

(Source: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Federal Draft , [August 22, 1980] Doc 830-84/004 (Ottawa: 26-29 August 1980). Click HERE)

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August 28, 1980: Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Report to Ministers by Sub-Committee Officials [Provincial Draft], Tabled at the Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution (August 26-29, 1980)

12. A party or witness has the right to the assistance of an interpreter if that person does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

(Source: Continuing Committee of Ministers on the Constitution, Charter of Rights, Report to Ministers by Sub-Committee of Officials, Annex [August 28, 1980], Doc 830-84/031 (Ottawa: 26-29 August, 1980). Click HERE)

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September 3, 1980: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Revised Discussion Draft, Federal, tabled at the Federal-Provincial First Ministers’ Conference (September 8-12, 1980)

13. A party [or] witness has the right to the assistance of an interpreter if that person does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

(Source: Federal-Provincial First Ministers’ Conference, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Revised Discussion Draft, Federal, [September 3, 1980] Doc 800-14/064 (Ottawa: 8-12 September 1980). Click HERE)

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October 2, 1980: Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen Respecting the Constitution of Canada

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, “Proposed Resolution for a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen respecting the Constitution of Canada” in Sessional Papers (1980). Click HERE)

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January 12, 1981: Draft submitted to the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution of Canada

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, No 36 (12 January 1981). Click HERE)

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February 13, 1981: Draft Tabled in House of Commons from the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution [Final Report]

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, No 57 [Final Report] (13 February 1981). Click HERE)

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April 23, 1981: House of Commons Draft, used in Reference Re: Resolution to Amend the Constitution

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 9470-9471. Click HERE)

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November 18, 1981: House of Commons Draft

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 12983-13011. Click HERE)

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November 24, 1981: House of Commons Draft

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 4128-4130. Click HERE)

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November 26, 1981: House of Commons Draft

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 13338-13346. Click HERE)

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December 2, 1981: House of Commons Draft & Vote

14. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 13632-13663. Click HERE)

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Statutes and International Agreements

June 20, 1978: Bill C-60: An Act to amend the Constitution of Canada

[…] —the right to the assistance of an interpreter in any proceedings before a court, tribunal, commission, board or other authority in which the individual is involved or is a party or witness, if he or she does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted;

(Source: Bill C-60, An Act to amend the Constitution of Canada with respect to matters coming within the legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada, and to approve and authorize the taking of measures necessary for the amendment of the Constitution with respect to certain other matters, 3rd Sess, 30th Parl, SC, 1978 (June 20, 1978). Click HERE)

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