The Canadian Language Industry regroups three key sectors: language training, translation, as well as language technologies. Not only does it refer to English and French products and services, but also to those in other languages, which reflect the face of Canada and determine our place in the world.

The industry is currently fragmented and lacks visibility. It also needs new recruits to prosper. To address these challenges, the Government of Canada has provided funds over a five-year period (2003-2008) to establish the Language Industry Association, AILIA, to coordinate activities, to identify strategic directions and to respond to the increasing demand for language products and services which are instrumental to doing business at home and abroad.

To increase investment in research and development and to commercialize new and leading-edge technologies, the National Research Council of Canada, in co-operation with other government departments, has created the Language Technology Research Centre at l'Université du Québec in Gatineau to increase investment in research and development and to commercialize new and leading-edge technologies.