Professional Interpreting Canada provides certified sign language interpreters across Canada, delivering both American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) interpretation on-site and through secure video remote interpreting (VRI). Our certified interpreters and translators support medical appointments, court hearings, conferences, classrooms, and workplace meetings, with quotes returned in 24 to 48 hours.
A booking for an ASL interpreter is rarely a small detail. It is the difference between a Deaf patient understanding a diagnosis and walking out confused, between a witness giving accurate testimony and a mistrial, between an employee participating fully in a meeting and being sidelined. This page explains how sign language interpreting works in Canada, which language you need, when to choose on-site versus remote, the accessibility laws that may apply to your organisation, and exactly how to book a qualified interpreter for any setting.
Key takeaways
- Canada has two principal signed languages: American Sign Language (ASL), used across most of the country, and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), used primarily in francophone communities. They are distinct languages, not signed versions of English or French.
- The Accessible Canada Act recognises ASL, LSQ, and Indigenous sign languages as the primary languages of communication for Deaf persons in Canada (S.C. 2019, c. 10, s. 5.1).
- In the 2021 Census, 37,620 people in Canada reported being able to conduct a conversation in ASL and 6,195 in LSQ, according to Statistics Canada.
- The Supreme Court of Canada held in Eldridge (1997) that failing to provide sign language interpretation where it is needed for effective communication in publicly funded health care violates equality rights under the Charter.
- Sign language interpreting is delivered two ways: on-site (in person) and via video remote interpreting (VRI). The right choice depends on the setting, the stakes, and the technology available.
- Professional Interpreting Canada arranges ASL and LSQ interpreters nationwide. Request a free quote and we respond within 24 to 48 hours.
What Is a Sign Language Interpreter?
A sign language interpreter renders communication between a signed language and a spoken or written one, in both directions, in real time. When a Deaf person signs, the interpreter voices their message in spoken English or French; when a hearing person speaks, the interpreter signs the message back. The work is far more than swapping words. Signed languages carry grammar, idiom, and cultural reference that have no direct equivalent in speech, so the interpreter is constantly making fast, accurate decisions about meaning, register, and intent.
This is also why a friend, family member, or bilingual colleague is not a substitute for a professional. Untrained signers miss nuance, soften bad news, insert their own opinions, or simply cannot keep pace with a doctor or a judge. In high-stakes settings, that gap creates real risk: a misunderstood medication instruction, an inaccurate statement on the record, a contract term agreed to without genuine comprehension. A qualified interpreter is trained to convey everything that is said, accurately and impartially, and to keep what they hear confidential.
Sign language interpreting sits within the broader interpreting profession. If you are weighing the value of professional language support generally, our overview of why you should use interpretation services explains the stakes in plain terms.
ASL vs LSQ: Which Sign Language Do You Need?
One of the first questions to settle is which signed language your client, patient, employee, or witness actually uses. Getting this wrong is like sending a Spanish interpreter to a French speaker. The two principal signed languages in Canada are not interchangeable.
American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL is the most widely used signed language in Canada, employed by Deaf communities in every province and territory outside the francophone heartland. It is a complete, natural language with its own grammar and syntax, which differ substantially from English. ASL has historical roots in French Sign Language (LSF), brought to North America in the early nineteenth century, blended with local signing. It is not a manual code for English, and fluent ASL is not produced by signing English word for word.
Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)
LSQ is the signed language of francophone Deaf communities, used mainly in Quebec and in francophone pockets elsewhere in Canada. Like ASL, it descends from French Sign Language and belongs to the same broad language family, but it evolved on its own path and is a separate language with its own vocabulary and structure. A Deaf francophone who uses LSQ will generally not be served well by an ASL interpreter, and vice versa. For events that bridge both linguistic communities, our conference interpretation team can plan for ASL and LSQ provision side by side.
Indigenous sign languages and Deaf interpreters
The Accessible Canada Act also recognises Indigenous sign languages, which are distinct from both ASL and LSQ and are used within specific Indigenous Deaf communities. In addition, some assignments call for a Deaf interpreter: a Deaf professional who works alongside a hearing interpreter to reach clients who use non-standard signing, have limited language fluency, or have additional communication needs. The Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters recognises Deaf interpreting as a distinct and valuable specialisation. When you request an interpreter, tell us as much as you know about how the Deaf person communicates, and we will match the right professional to the assignment.
How many people use signed languages in Canada?
According to the 2021 Census of Population from Statistics Canada, 37,620 people reported being able to conduct a conversation in ASL, and 6,195 reported the same for LSQ. A smaller group reported a signed language as their mother tongue: 8,415 for ASL and 1,860 for LSQ. These figures count people who use signed languages directly and do not capture the much larger number of hearing family members, colleagues, and service providers who interact with the Deaf community and periodically need interpreters.
| Signed language | Can conduct a conversation (2021) | Reported as mother tongue (2021) | Primary regions of use |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Sign Language (ASL) | 37,620 | 8,415 | Across Canada, outside francophone communities |
| Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) | 6,195 | 1,860 | Quebec and francophone communities |
Where Sign Language Interpreters Are Used
Sign language interpreting spans nearly every part of public and professional life. Each setting brings its own demands, vocabulary, and ethical considerations, and an interpreter experienced in one area is not automatically the right fit for another. Below are the settings clients ask us about most.
Medical and healthcare interpreting
Health care is where accurate sign language interpreting matters most acutely. A Deaf patient has the same right to understand a diagnosis, consent to a procedure, follow a medication schedule, and ask questions as any hearing patient, a principle that runs through the way Canada’s publicly funded health services are meant to be delivered. The Supreme Court of Canada made this concrete in Eldridge v. British Columbia (1997), holding that where sign language interpretation is necessary for effective communication, failing to provide it in publicly funded health care amounts to discrimination under the Charter. In practice, that places responsibility on hospitals, clinics, and practitioners to arrange qualified interpreters rather than relying on a patient’s relative.
Medical sign language interpreting demands command of clinical terminology, composure in emotionally charged moments, and strict confidentiality. The same standards we apply to our spoken-language medical interpreter services in Toronto apply to ASL and LSQ assignments: trained professionals, accurate rendering of every exchange, and discretion at all times.
Legal and court interpreting
In a courtroom, every word is on the record, and the consequences of a misinterpretation can be severe. Deaf litigants, witnesses, defendants, and jurors are entitled to interpretation that lets them participate fully in proceedings; section 14 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the assistance of an interpreter to any party or witness who is deaf. Legal sign language interpreting requires fluency in legal vocabulary, an understanding of courtroom procedure, and absolute impartiality. The interpreter conveys exactly what is said, including hesitations and tone, without editing, advising, or explaining.
Demanding legal settings often pair a hearing interpreter with a Deaf interpreter to guarantee precision, and lengthy hearings may require two interpreters who rotate to maintain accuracy. We bring the same rigour to signed-language legal work that we apply to our spoken-language court interpreters in Hamilton and across Ontario.
Conference and event interpreting
Conferences, annual general meetings, town halls, and public ceremonies increasingly include ASL or LSQ interpretation so that Deaf attendees, speakers, and panellists can take part. On a stage or platform, interpreters are positioned where the audience and any cameras can see them clearly, and they are usually well lit against a plain background. As with spoken-language simultaneous work, signed interpreting at length is cognitively intense, so multi-hour events typically need a team of interpreters who rotate at regular intervals to sustain quality.
Planning a multilingual or hybrid event that includes signed languages alongside spoken ones takes coordination. Our conference interpretation services page covers team sizing, sightlines, and platform setup in more detail.
Education interpreting
From elementary classrooms to university lecture halls, Deaf students rely on interpreters to access instruction, discussion, and campus life. Educational interpreting carries its own considerations: relaying not only the teacher’s words but classmates’ questions, managing the pace of fast-moving discussion, and handling subject-specific vocabulary that ranges from kindergarten storytime to graduate-level science. Consistency matters too, since students benefit from working with interpreters who know the course material and their communication preferences over a term.
Employment and workplace interpreting
Deaf employees need interpretation for job interviews, onboarding, training, performance reviews, team meetings, and disciplinary discussions. Providing it is both a matter of basic fairness and, for many employers, a legal obligation. Workplace interpreting may be a one-time booking for an interview or a recurring arrangement for a Deaf staff member who attends regular meetings. Either way, the goal is the same: the Deaf employee participates on equal footing, contributing and being understood without barriers.
On-Site vs Video Remote Interpreting (VRI): Which Should You Choose?
Sign language interpreting is delivered two ways, and the right choice depends on the setting, the stakes, and the technology on hand. On-site interpreting places a qualified interpreter physically in the room. Video remote interpreting, or VRI, connects an off-site interpreter through a live video link on a screen. Both have a place, and Professional Interpreting Canada arranges either across the country. For a fuller look at remote delivery, see our guide to video remote interpreting in Canada.
On-site (in-person) interpreting
An interpreter in the room can read the full visual environment, move with the conversation, and handle complex or sensitive exchanges with the least friction. On-site interpreting is generally preferred for emotionally difficult medical appointments, court proceedings, mental health sessions, anything involving young children, and situations with more than one Deaf participant or fast group discussion. The trade-off is logistics: scheduling, travel, and lead time, which is why early booking helps, especially outside major cities.
Video remote interpreting (VRI)
VRI delivers an interpreter through a screen on demand or by appointment. It shines for shorter or unplanned interactions, for sites in regions where on-site interpreters are scarce, and for routine appointments where setup is simple. VRI depends on a few essentials being right: a strong, stable internet connection, a large enough screen positioned so the Deaf person can see the interpreter’s hands and face clearly, good lighting, and clean audio for the hearing participants. When those conditions are not met, or when the matter is too sensitive or complex, on-site interpreting remains the better call.
A note on terminology: VRI is interpretation for people who are together in one place but need a remote interpreter on screen. It is different from Video Relay Service (VRS), a telephone-style service that lets a Deaf person and a hearing person in two different locations talk through an interpreter. This page is about interpreting services, including VRI, for your appointments, hearings, classes, and meetings.
| Factor | On-site interpreting | Video remote interpreting (VRI) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | High-stakes, sensitive, complex, or group settings | Short, routine, or unplanned interactions |
| Availability | Subject to travel and scheduling | Often available on shorter notice |
| Technology needed | Minimal | Reliable internet, suitable screen, good lighting and audio |
| Reach | Best where local interpreters are available | Extends access to remote and underserved areas |
| Visual environment | Full view of the room and participants | Limited to what the camera captures |
Accessibility Law and Sign Language in Canada
Providing sign language interpretation is often not just good practice; it can be a legal requirement. Several Canadian laws bear on communication access for Deaf people, and organisations should understand where they stand.
The Accessible Canada Act (2019)
The Accessible Canada Act received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019. Its purpose is the realisation of a Canada without barriers, on or before January 1, 2040, through the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers in areas that include employment, the built environment, information and communication technologies, communication, and the design and delivery of programs and services. Crucially for our purposes, the Act expressly states that American Sign Language, Quebec Sign Language, and Indigenous sign languages are recognised as the primary languages for communication by Deaf persons in Canada (s. 5.1). The Act applies to the federal public sector and to federally regulated organisations, such as banks, telecommunications, and interprovincial transportation.
The AODA in Ontario
In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) sets accessibility standards for organisations across the province. Its Information and Communications Standards require organisations to provide information and communications in ways that people with disabilities can access, including communication supports. Sign language interpretation is one of the recognised communication supports that organisations may need to arrange to meet their obligations and to communicate effectively with Deaf clients, customers, and members of the public.
The Eldridge decision and the Charter
The landmark case is Eldridge v. British Columbia (Attorney General), decided by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1997. Deaf plaintiffs had been denied sign language interpretation while receiving medical care. The Court held that where such interpretation is necessary for effective communication, the failure to provide it in the delivery of publicly funded medical services violates the equality guarantee in section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Eldridge remains a foundational authority on the right of Deaf people to communication access in Canadian health care.
This page offers general information, not legal advice. Your specific obligations depend on your sector, jurisdiction, and circumstances. When the law or good practice points to providing an interpreter, we can help you meet that need promptly.
How Are Sign Language Interpreters Qualified in Canada?
Sign language interpreting is a trained profession with its own credentials. Understanding how interpreters are qualified helps you judge who is fit for a given assignment.
The national professional body is the Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI), formerly the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC), which adopted its current name in 2018. CASLI is the only national association representing sign language interpreters in Canada, and its members graduate from recognised ASL-English interpreter education programs offered at Canadian colleges and universities. CASLI is also the only association that certifies ASL-English interpreters nationally, through its Canadian Evaluation System (CES). Interpreters who pass the written and skills components of that process are granted the Certificate of Interpretation (COI).
An important point on terminology: CASLI advises that, in Canada, only members who have earned the COI may call themselves a “certified interpreter.” That said, CASLI is clear that members who have not yet achieved certification are still qualified to provide interpreting services. All members are bound by CASLI’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct, and the profession’s ethics require interpreters to accept only work they are competent to perform. In British Columbia, interpreters can hold a further protected designation, Registered Sign Language Interpreter, through dual membership with the Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI), which holds occupational title protection under provincial law.
The principle that qualifications matter runs through all interpreting work, signed or spoken. The same standard governs spoken-language interpreters, who are certified by provincial bodies affiliated with the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council. Our piece on the importance of a certified interpreter explains why credentials, ethics, and experience are worth insisting on.
What Does a Sign Language Interpreter Cost?
There is no single rate for sign language interpreting, and any firm number quoted without details should be treated with caution. Cost depends on several factors that vary from one booking to the next:
- Setting and specialisation. Medical, legal, and technical assignments call for interpreters with specialised training and command of the relevant terminology.
- Duration. Many assignments carry a minimum booking period, and lengthy events require a team of interpreters who rotate to sustain quality.
- On-site or VRI. In-person work can involve travel time and expenses, particularly outside major centres; VRI removes travel but depends on the right technology being in place.
- Language. ASL is the most commonly available; LSQ, Indigenous sign languages, and Deaf interpreting may require additional planning.
- Lead time. Short-notice and emergency bookings can carry different terms than appointments scheduled well in advance.
Because every assignment is different, we price each one on its specifics rather than publishing a flat rate that would mislead. Tell us what you need and we will give you a clear, no-obligation quote. Request a free quote and we respond within 24 to 48 hours.
How to Book a Sign Language Interpreter
Arranging an ASL or LSQ interpreter with Professional Interpreting Canada is straightforward. The more detail you can share up front, the faster and more accurately we can match the right professional to your assignment.
- Submit a quote request. Use our Get a Free Quote form to tell us the date and time, the location or the platform for a remote session, the setting (medical, legal, conference, education, or workplace), the signed language required, and the expected duration.
- Share key details. Let us know how the Deaf person communicates if you can, whether more than one Deaf participant will attend, and any subject matter or vocabulary the interpreter should prepare for. This helps us assign an interpreter with the right specialisation.
- Receive your quote in 24 to 48 hours. We confirm availability, recommend on-site or VRI where helpful, and advise whether a single interpreter or a team is appropriate for the length and complexity of the assignment.
- Confirm and prepare. Once you approve, we lock in the interpreter and, where useful, share materials so they can prepare terminology in advance. For VRI, we confirm the technical setup ahead of time.
- Interpretation delivered. Your interpreter arrives on-site or connects by video, ready to facilitate clear, accurate, confidential communication from start to finish.
Book as early as you can, especially for on-site assignments, longer events, LSQ, and locations away from major cities. Qualified interpreters are a finite resource, and lead time widens your options. For urgent needs, contact us by phone at (647) 558-5843 and we will do our best to help.
Why Choose Professional Interpreting Canada?
Professional Interpreting Canada is an ATIO-certified interpreting and translation company serving Toronto, Hamilton, and clients across the country in more than 500 languages. We arrange ASL and LSQ sign language interpreters nationwide, both on-site and through VRI, and we match each assignment to an interpreter with the right setting experience, whether that is a hospital ward, a courtroom, a lecture hall, or a boardroom.
We treat confidentiality as non-negotiable, we respond to quote requests within 24 to 48 hours, and our coordinators are glad to advise on whether on-site or VRI suits your situation and whether you need one interpreter or a team. To see the full breadth of languages and services we support, visit our languages page. When you are ready, request a free quote and we will take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ASL and LSQ?
American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) are two distinct signed languages used in Canada. ASL is used across most of the country, while LSQ is used primarily in francophone communities, especially in Quebec. Both descend historically from French Sign Language and belong to the same broad language family, but they are separate languages with their own grammar and vocabulary, and they are not mutually interchangeable. Neither is a signed version of spoken English or French. When booking, it is important to confirm which language the Deaf person uses.
Is a family member acceptable instead of a professional interpreter?
Generally no, especially in medical, legal, and other high-stakes settings. Family members are not trained to interpret accurately, may soften or edit difficult messages, often cannot keep up with technical content, and may have a personal stake in the outcome. They also cannot offer the impartiality and confidentiality that a professional provides. For effective and ethical communication, a qualified sign language interpreter is the appropriate choice.
When should I choose VRI instead of an on-site interpreter?
Video remote interpreting (VRI) works well for shorter, routine, or unplanned interactions, and for locations where on-site interpreters are hard to find. It requires a reliable internet connection, a screen large enough for the Deaf person to see the interpreter clearly, good lighting, and clean audio. For emotionally sensitive matters, complex proceedings, group settings, or appointments involving young children, on-site interpreting is usually the better choice. We can advise on which option fits your situation.
Are you required by law to provide a sign language interpreter?
It depends on your sector and jurisdiction. The Accessible Canada Act covers federal and federally regulated organisations, and Ontario’s AODA sets communication accessibility standards for organisations in the province. In health care, the Supreme Court’s Eldridge decision established that failing to provide interpretation where it is needed for effective communication can violate Charter equality rights. This page is general information, not legal advice; consult a professional about your specific obligations.
Do you provide both ASL and LSQ interpreters?
Yes. Professional Interpreting Canada arranges interpreters for both American Sign Language and Langue des signes québécoise across Canada, on-site and via VRI. For events that include both linguistic communities, we can plan ASL and LSQ provision together. Where an assignment calls for a Deaf interpreter or Indigenous sign language support, let us know the details and we will work to match the right professional.
How far in advance should I book?
Book as early as possible. Qualified sign language interpreters are a limited resource, and lead time gives you more options, particularly for on-site assignments, longer events, LSQ, and locations outside major centres. Industry practice for non-urgent bookings is often one to two weeks of notice or more for complex assignments. For urgent or emergency needs, contact us right away and we will do our best to assist.
Do you provide sign language interpreters outside Toronto and Hamilton?
Yes. While we are based in the Toronto and Hamilton area, we arrange sign language interpreters for clients across Canada. On-site interpreting can be coordinated at locations in many cities subject to interpreter availability, and VRI extends access to regions where local interpreters are scarce. Tell us your location and we will advise on the best approach.
What is the difference between VRI and Video Relay Service (VRS)?
Video remote interpreting (VRI) provides an interpreter on screen for people who are together in the same location, such as a Deaf patient and a doctor in one room. Video Relay Service (VRS) is a telephone-style service that connects a Deaf person and a hearing person in two different locations through an interpreter. The services we describe on this page, including VRI, support your in-person and scheduled interactions: appointments, hearings, classes, meetings, and events.
Who qualifies as a certified sign language interpreter in Canada?
The Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI) is the only national association that certifies ASL-English interpreters, through its Canadian Evaluation System. Interpreters who pass it earn the Certificate of Interpretation (COI), and CASLI advises that only COI holders may call themselves “certified interpreters” in Canada. CASLI also notes that members without certification are still qualified to interpret. In British Columbia, the Registered Sign Language Interpreter title is protected through WAVLI. We match each assignment to an interpreter with appropriate qualifications and experience.
Book a Sign Language Interpreter Today
Whether you need an ASL interpreter for a medical appointment, an LSQ interpreter for a court hearing, a team for a conference, or recurring support for a Deaf employee, Professional Interpreting Canada is ready to help. We arrange on-site and VRI interpreting across the country, match every assignment to a qualified professional, and respond to quote requests within 24 to 48 hours. Tell us what you need and we will come back with a clear, no-obligation proposal.