Bilingual Session Requirements

Speakers Bureau of Canada is committed to recruiting bilingual speakers for organizations that require or prefer a bilingual presenter. Below are the options available to meet your bilingual requirement for each audience and event type. Please review and let us know if you have any questions.

Our Bilingual Commitment Bilingual Delivery Options Important Information

Our Bilingual Commitment

As we represent speakers with different skill levels presenting in French, we offer a range of flexible options to meet your bilingual requirements.

Dedicated Recruitment

We are committed to actively recruiting bilingual speakers for organizations that require or prefer a bilingual presenter at their events.
Flexible Options

We offer four distinct bilingual delivery options — from a single presenter in both languages to fully separate sessions — so you can choose what best fits your audience and budget.
Live Accessibility

Across all options, we support live transcription with captions in both English and French via MS Teams, a team member, or a third-party transcription service.
Slide Translation Support

Speaker-provided slides can be submitted for pre-event translation, ensuring all visual materials are accessible to both English and French-speaking audiences.
IP Rights Respected

Speakers retain ownership and control over their content and slides at all times, while granting necessary access for translation purposes in accordance with contractual agreements.
Recommended Lead Time

A minimum of 30 days is advised for all bilingual options to allow adequate time for speaker preparation, slide translation, and accessibility setup.
Continuous Bilingual Search

We are continuously expanding our roster of bilingual speakers to ensure organizations always have access to qualified presenters who can deliver in both English and French.
Presentations That Align With All Canadians

We are committed to sourcing speakers whose presentations resonate with diverse Canadian audiences, reflecting the values, cultures, and languages that define our country.

Four delivery options are available to organizations seeking bilingual speakers — ranging from the most cost-effective single-presentation approach to fully separate sessions in each language.

Bilingual Delivery Options

Select the option that best meets your audience needs, budget, and timeline.

Option A — One Presentation, Both Languages

A single presentation delivered in both English and French by a fully bilingual speaker with content prepared in both languages. This is the most cost-effective strategy. Minimum 30 days advised.
Option B — English Presentation with French Q&A

Presentation delivered in English with French translation support. The speaker is capable of managing Q&A in both languages. Little to no extra fees. Minimum 30 days advised.
Option C — Uni-lingual Speaker with French Transcription

Presentation in English with live French transcription and captions. Q&A is moderated by a bilingual individual. Little to no extra fees. Minimum 30 days advised.
Option D — Two Separate Presentations

Separate presentations in English and French. Ideally on the same day to minimize costs (e.g. $5,000 + $2,000 additional session fee). Two separate days incur a discounted second fee (e.g. $5,000 + $4,000). Most expensive option.

Important Information

Please review the following key considerations when planning a bilingual event with Speakers Bureau of Canada.

Indigenous Speakers & French Proficiency

It is notable that Indigenous speakers may rarely speak French, which is a critical factor in speaker selection for certain events. If you have any speaker names or suggestions, please send them our way.
Speaker IP Rights

The Speakers Bureau of Canada respects and maintains the IP rights of all speakers. Speakers retain full ownership and control over their content and slides at all times.
Translation Access & Contractual Ownership

While speakers retain ownership, our contracts grant the necessary access for translation purposes. This ensures legal compliance and preserves the integrity of the speaker’s work.
Content Preparation Timeline

Some speakers are fully bilingual, but their content may not yet be prepared in French. These speakers may require additional time beyond the standard 30-day minimum to prepare materials in both languages.

1

Contact Us

If you have questions about bilingual options, speaker selection, or event requirements, please contact our team directly.
Agent Support
events@speakerscanada.com
Payment Support
clientservices@speakerscanada.com
2

Helpful Resources

Our resource pages provide detailed guidance on speaker fees, presentation formats, and the agreement process.
Speaker Fees & Negotiations
speakerscanada.com/speaker-fees
Our Services
speakerscanada.com/services