SRV CANADA VRS

What SRV CANADA VRS does

SRV Canada VRS (also operating as Canada VRS) is operated by the Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV), Inc., a federally mandated non-profit corporation headquartered in Montreal with additional staff presence in Ottawa. It is the sole federally authorized provider of video relay service in Canada, established under Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2014-187. The service enables Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired Canadians who use American Sign Language (ASL) or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) as their primary language to make and receive telephone calls through real-time video interpretation by certified interpreters, connecting sign-language users with hearing voice telephone users. The platform supports 24/7 emergency access including 9-1-1 priority routing and 9-8-8 suicide prevention line access, plus a Speak For Yourself feature allowing users to speak directly while interpreters relay only the hearing party's responses.

The underlying technology consists of cross-platform applications (iOS, Android, Windows PC, Mac) that route calls through video interpreters, with supporting features including visual call alerts, caller ID and masking, video messaging, GPS-based wireless location for emergency responders, and integrations with Embrava Blynclight USB notification devices and Fitbit smartwatches (Versa 2/3, Charge 4, Sense). Reported operational metrics include 99.85% average system uptime across 2025 (quarterly range 99.81%–99.88%), 100% uptime for Q1 2026, 96% of calls answered within 120 seconds against a 90% goal, and 22-23 second average wait time against a 30-second goal. The organization is bilingual (English/French) and maintains both ASL and LSQ interpretation pipelines.

The service is provided free of charge to registered end users; funding flows to CAV, Inc. through contributions from the Canadian telecommunications industry under the CRTC regulatory framework rather than direct government appropriations. CAV supplements this with a fee-based Remote Video Interpreting (RVI) service for medical appointments, business meetings, and similar settings. GTM motion combines downloadable consumer apps with community-led outreach through Outreach & Events Specialists, school activities, and a partner ecosystem of dedicated VRS-accessible phone numbers at major Canadian institutions including Air Canada, Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, TD Bank, Scotiabank, Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, Société de l'assurance Automobile du Québec, Shaw Direct, Virgin Plus, and Lucky Mobile.

Name

SRV CANADA VRS

Legal name

Canadian Administrator of Video Relay Service (CAV), Inc.

Website

https://srvcanadavrs.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SRV Canada VRS operates Canada's sole federally mandated video relay service, providing free 24/7 ASL/LSQ interpretation that connects Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired Canadians with voice telephone users via cross-platform apps, funded through CRTC-regulated telecom industry contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Relay Services

NAICS

Translation and Interpretation Services (541930)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Video Conferencing & Meetings (HDAIAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Video Conferencing & Meetings (BPAMACAD), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

Keywords

• Video relay service
• Sign language interpretation
• Accessible telecommunications
• Deaf accessibility services
• ASL LSQ interpreting

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Telecommunications Service: SRV Canada VRS is a free service funded by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) under Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2014-187. The service is provided at no cost to registered Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Speech-Impaired Canadians who use sign language. The Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV), Inc. operates the service as a non-profit telecommunications relay service mandated by Canadian accessibility regulations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SRV Canada VRS provides a free, federally mandated internet-based Video Relay Service that enables Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired Canadians who use American Sign Language (ASL) or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) to communicate with voice telephone users via real-time video interpretation. The service is delivered through cross-platform applications on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, supported by certified video interpreters, and includes 9-1-1 emergency access, 9-8-8 crisis line support, and Remote Video Interpreting (RVI) for businesses and healthcare appointments.

Product overview

SRV Canada VRS operates as a unified telecommunications relay service platform providing free video relay service to Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired Canadians. The service ecosystem includes a cross-platform mobile and desktop application (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac) that connects users with certified video interpreters who relay conversations between ASL/LSQ sign language users and voice telephone users in real-time. Core components include the SRV Canada VRS application (mobile and desktop versions), video interpreter operations infrastructure, emergency services access (9-1-1 and 9-8-8 suicide prevention line), and accessibility features such as visual alerts, caller ID management, Speak For Yourself voice feature, video messaging, and live chat support. The service also integrates with third-party accessibility devices including Embrava Blynclight notification lights and Fitbit smartwatches for enhanced visual call notifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SRV Canada VRS (Video Relay Service) A federally mandated, free internet-based Video Relay Service (VRS) operated by the Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV), Inc. under CRTC Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2014-187. It enables Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired Canadians who use American Sign Language (ASL) or langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) to make and receive telephone calls through real-time video interpretation by certified video interpreters (VIs). The service is available 24/7 nationwide with 9-1-1 emergency priority routing, 9-8-8 crisis line access, GPS-based wireless location data, and dedicated VRS numbers at major partner organizations.
• SRV Canada VRS Mobile App (iOS/Android) Mobile application delivered through the Apple App Store (iOS 12 or newer) and Google Play Store (Android 6.0 Marshmallow or newer) that enables registered users to make and receive video relay calls on iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones and tablets. Supports ASL/LSQ interpretation, 9-1-1 emergency access, 9-8-8 suicide prevention crisis line, in-app visual alerts, and integration with compatible accessibility devices.
• SRV Canada VRS Desktop App (Windows/Mac) Desktop application downloadable from the Canada VRS website for Windows PC/tablet (Windows 10 or newer) and Mac computers (version 10.8 or newer). Provides video relay calling functionality with features including live chat support, visual alerts, caller ID and caller ID hide, PSI (speak for yourself) voice capability, and integration with Embrava Blynclight USB notification devices.
• Remote Video Interpreting (RVI) Fee-based video interpreting service providing high-quality remote ASL/LSQ interpretation for situations such as medical appointments, healthcare visits, business meetings, and events. Positioned as comparable in quality to in-person interpreters, it enables organizations to access certified remote interpreters on demand when on-site interpretation is not practical.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2026 Q1 System Uptime: 100% (January, February, March 2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and minor.

• Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)coreOthersCRTC is the federal regulator that mandates and oversees the Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV), Inc. to operate video relay service under Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2014-187. The CRTC establishes service standards, accessibility requirements, and funding framework for nationwide VRS operations.
• Government of Canada - Service CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Canada provides dedicated VRS-accessible phone numbers (272-001 through 272-007) for services including Social Insurance Number, Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Security, Employer Contact Centre, Canadian Dental Care Plan, and Canada Disability Benefit, enabling accessible access to federal government services.
• Canada Revenue AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRA provides dedicated VRS number 272-778 for accessible tax services and communication with Deaf Canadians regarding their tax matters.
• Bell CanadamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBell Canada provides dedicated VRS numbers (288-001) for Bell, Bell MTS, and Bell Aliant services, enabling Deaf customers to access telecommunications services through video relay interpretation.
• Rogers CommunicationsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRogers provides dedicated VRS numbers (288-050 for Fido, 288-051 for Rogers, 288-052 for Rogers and Shaw) enabling accessible customer service for telecommunications services.
• TD BankmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTD Bank provides dedicated VRS number 1-844-229-0787 for accessible banking services to Deaf customers.
• ScotiabankmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScotiabank provides dedicated VRS number 1-866-267-4726 for accessible banking services to Deaf customers.
• Air CanadamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAir Canada provides dedicated VRS number 1-833-768-2256 for accessible customer service to Deaf travelers.
• Société de l'assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAAQ provides dedicated VRS numbers (418-641-1321 or 1-833-815-1321) for Quebec region, enabling accessible access to driver's licensing and vehicle registration services.
• Shaw DirectminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShaw Direct provides dedicated VRS number 288-053 for accessible satellite TV services.
• Virgin Plus and Lucky MobileminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVirgin Plus provides dedicated VRS number 288-002 and Lucky Mobile provides 288-003 for accessible mobile services.
• Accessibility Standards CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAV staff member Wissam Constantin serves as Director on the Board of Accessibility Standards Canada, contributing to national accessibility policy development and standards.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD): Non-profit Deaf-led organization that has operated or supported VRS services in the US. Comparable as a community-rooted nonprofit operator of relay services, though broader in social services scope.
• Aira Tech Corp: Provider of on-demand visual interpretation for blind and low-vision users via smart glasses and mobile app, with DeafBlind-adjacent services. Comparable as an app-delivered, on-demand accessibility interpretation platform intersecting with the DeafBlind segment CAV also serves.

Direct peers

• Convo Communications: US VRS and video interpreting provider with cross-platform applications serving the Deaf community; comparable in product, user segments, and operating model. Previously operated a Canadian subsidiary (Convo Canada) where CAV's CFO previously served.
• IVèS (now Sorenson): Quebec-based VRS service with deep LSQ and French-language interpretation roots prior to acquisition by Sorenson. Closest historical comparator in the Quebec/LSQ market and known to a current CAV board member (Christine Roschaert).
• Sorenson Communications: Largest US Video Relay Service provider serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, with similar cross-platform apps, dedicated enterprise routing, and CRTC/FCC-equivalent regulatory mandate. Most direct global comparable for VRS business model and scale.
• Purple Communications: US VRS provider delivering real-time ASL video relay interpretation with mobile and desktop apps. Comparable product offering, customer base, and regulatory-funded revenue model.
• ZVRS (Zion's VRS): US-based VRS provider delivering real-time ASL interpretation between Deaf callers and hearing telephone users, with mobile and desktop applications. Directly comparable product offering and target user base.

Broad incumbents

• Hamilton Relay: Major US provider of relay services (VRS, TRS, Captioned Telephone) under FCC mandate, offering broader portfolio than Canada VRS. Comparable as a regulated relay utility but operates wider scope including captioned telephony.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSezNlsbS8mXua3Mun5UntQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/srvcanadavrs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cav-acs

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SRV CANADA VRS