Court Interpreters' Association of Ontario
Mailing address: 17 Wycombe Road, North York, ON. M3M 2W6 • Fax: (416) 398-2715
e-mail: stellarahman@hotmail.com • www.ontariocourtinterpreters.ca

Minutes from last meeting-
Meeting Notes of the emergency general meeting of the Court Interpreters held on April 24th, 2010 in
Committee Rm. # 1 at New City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.

1. Stella provided a brief summary of the steps that were taken by CIAO since 2006 onwards
and explained CIAO’s efforts to work collaboratively with MAG. Although CIAO has
been recognized by MAG, MAG kept CIAO informed but not involved and rejected our
participation or input.


2. A Form To File An Appeal ( Appeal Form) developed by CIAO was circulated and all court members who
have been conditionally accredited and unaccredited were encouraged to file an appeal
within 60 days of receiving their test results on the following grounds:

• Sight translation – not enough time for review and delivery
• Consecutive interpretation – nowhere in the world recorded tests are used other than
for conference interpreters. There were too many sentences in a row with a lot of
names, nouns, numbers, events, etc.
• Simultaneous interpretation – the speed was unrealistic and extremely fast. The
speaker was speaking @ 190/200 words/min. The normal speed of a speaker
speaking the same language is 140 words/min. and when an interpreter is present,
the speed is reduced to 120 words/min.
3. A Form for Request for Access to Information under FIPPA developed by CIAO was
circulated. A cheque of $5.00 payable to the Minister of Finance needs to be sent together
with FIPPA application.

4. Highlights of discussion:
• Ask MAG for a 2 wk. intensive paid training and move up the accreditation level
• Higher pay for different accreditation levels
• Possible strike – how do we ensure complete participation?
• Continue media coverage
• Draft a statement re: our position
• Monthly contribution ? Union
• Retain a lawyer ? labor lawyer

5. A 7-member sub-committee was struck to look at:
• Lobbying with the Minister of Attorney General
• Lobbying with the Premier
• Lobbying with the judges and crowns
• Draft a statement for any media coverage
• Possible strategies and a date for a strike
• Retaining a lawyer

6. The need to create a fund for future legal expenses was agreed upon and everybody
present was encouraged to pay their membership dues of $35.00/year and also, think
seriously about a donation for legal fees.
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