Learn more about accessibility

CAV’s Consultations and Findings from the RFI Process

Extracted from the Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-54 (“VRS Policy”)
Filed with the CRTC on February 21, 2026

CAV’s Consultations and Findings from the RFI Process
28. In the VRS Policy, the Commission acknowledged CAV’s plans in 2024 to conduct a RFI to refine and update its understanding of the state of VRS technology in Canada, including the suppliers, products and service capabilities available in the Canadian marketplace. The Commission required CAV to conduct the RFI process and required that CAV file its findings and conclusions on whether it is necessary for CAV to launch a competitive process for a new platform vendor within two years of the publication of the VRS Policy. CAV is ahead of schedule and therefore submitting its findings and conclusions as part of this report.

29. In 2024-2025, CAV undertook a Request for Information and Qualifications (RFIQ) process to explore current market offerings for VRS platforms and supporting services. In addition to soliciting feedback and gathering information from potential providers, the RFIQ also provided CAV with the ability to pre-qualify respondents to participate in future procurement processes should it be determined, that CAV would proceed to a competitive request for proposals.

30. Respondents were eligible to be prequalified if they demonstrated:

a. Requisite and relevant experience as a VRS technology platform provider or in the VRS industry;
b. Provisioning of a stable and robust web-accessible VTP platform, with proven capability to handle 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 (or local equivalent) calls;
c. Proven capability and scalability to manage call volumes similar to those of Canada VRS;
d. Ability to support VRS in multiple languages;
e. Ability to handle video interpreter provider (VIP) operations and skill level;
f. Ability to brand the platform to Canada VRS; and
g. Maintenance of defined system uptime (99.99%), including demonstration of recent/current performance and service history.

31. The RFIQ was publicly advertised online through the MERX/SOVRA e-tendering platform, CAV’s website and social media outlets and via direct notification to known providers. Responses were received from seven (7) organizations. The RFIQ requested information on supplier and product availability in Canada’s marketplace and how organizations would support growth of this capability and industry in Canada. Most respondents described their track record and continuing commitment and willingness to hire local talent based on service requirements, and their experience and commitment to engaging with local community and stakeholder organizations. Notably, a few respondents described their current existing Canadian presence (i.e., offices or other facilities), with other respondents indicating their willingness to open Canadian facilities. Several respondents identified Canadian staff members or leadership on their teams. Particularly relevant to Canada VRS, respondents noted the multilingual capability of their platforms, with the majority of respondents noting that their platforms support English and French, with some variability among respondents on the extent to which Canadian French, LSQ and/or ASL were presently supported by their platforms. However, all respondents noted that their platforms could be configured to CAV’s language needs.

Findings on App Features and Platform Capabilities
32. The RFIQ requested that respondents comment on the features and functionalities of their current platform(s) and services and to describe on-going development efforts and future plans. Respondents were also asked to confirm whether their platforms supported existing Canada VRS features and services and whether they could support additional features and enhancements that CAV is looking to implement in the future. For example, the RFIQ included questions about the whether the market has the necessary capabilities to provide enhanced call notification for computer-based users, including assistive features such as vibration and flashlight alerts. A few respondents identified existing capabilitiesto provide flashing screens or lights for computer-based users, while others described how their platforms interact with capabilities native to mobile devices and current development initiatives or future plans to incorporate similar features for computer-based users.

33. Respondents were also asked to comment on the availability of support for each of the Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind communities, as well as rural/remote communities, Indigenous populations, low income and other marginalized populations. All respondents expressed support for the optimization of low bandwidth environments, with some respondents identifying current or future functionalities for specific populations. Several respondents identified capabilities to support screen readers, full RTT, adjustment of screen layout, size and contrast, as well as enhanced features such as videomail for all user types (with some variability as to whether these capabilities were currently in production or in development).

34. Notably, there was some variability in the respondents’ responses relating to the delivery of innovative features, with some features in production, some in the pilot or prototyping phase, and others on respondent’s product roadmaps, including the use of pictograms, video players, tactile and braille displays. Additionally, the RFIQ requested information from respondents on security, privacy and data safeguards. Several respondents confirmed their use of industry leading cloud service providers or secure hosted solutions to meet these requirements.

Findings on Uptime or Planned Outage Reduction Approaches
35. As part of the RFIQ, CAV sought to confirm whether respondents could meet enhanced uptime service levels (targeting 99.99%) and requested proof for each respondents track record for service delivery, platform design, and monitoring features to demonstrate how this service level can be delivered, met and maintained. Responses generally confirmed that the relevant respondent has the ability to achieve this service level target, with several respondents providing proof of their track record and others demonstrating delivery of a range of service levels, including 99.99%. Additionally, most respondents described that their overall solution design includes services such as active 24/7 monitoring of the platform, service availability, and security features (e.g., infrastructure redundancy, active notifications and alerting, and variable failover capabilities to provide mitigation for unplanned downtime (i.e., automatic or manual failover solutions)). Respondents generally identified clear service windows for planned maintenance and indicated architectural features and measures undertaken to minimize impacts to end users (e.g., restarts/planned outages), with clear notifications to the administrator (i.e., CAV) and support for communications with end users. These proposed solution and service offerings present CAV with an opportunity to confirm that a platform is designed to mitigate disruptions in service availability to user, mitigate planned or unplanned outages, and offer tools to enhance timeliness and transparency of communications with end users in the event of a potential disruption.

Findings on VRS Marketplace Evolution and Industry Standards
36. While the number of responses to the RFIQ were modest considering the number of providers in the global industry, the response rate for this RFIQ was more than double the number of responses received during the request for proposal process issued by CAV in 2015, indicating growth in the VTP marketplace since the launch of VRS in Canada.

37. The responses received by CAV demonstrated that VRS capabilities have evolved over time, and reflected an experienced marketplace, with respondents demonstrating capabilities to deliver modern, flexible, scalable and responsive platforms to meet user needs. The volume of calls experienced by Canada VRS appears to be higher than those in many other jurisdictions described in the RFIQ responses, highlighting the importance of a scalable platform to effectively meet and adapt to user demands for services in Canada. Responses described platforms that are capable of delivering core Canada VRS features and services. Some responses also demonstrated the availability of broader accessibility features (e.g., braille, tactile display, etc.) and the ability to meet existing international and emerging standards (e.g., WCAG, ISO, etc.) while others indicated on-going work or plans for future capabilities in this area.

38. Responses demonstrated the respondents’ commitments to ongoing investment and innovation relating to VRS and continuing efforts to expand platform capabilities over time in response to user, community and administrative client requirements and emerging practices and standards.

CAV’s Next Steps
39. Based on the number and quality of the RFIQ responses received, CAV concluded that there is a competitive marketplace capable of addressing both the existing services, features and functionalities of Canada VRS, and to meet new and additional requirements of the community, including those new requirements set out in the VRS Policy and broader user and community feedback. Accordingly, CAV decided to proceed with a competitive request for proposals process, which was issued to the RFIQ respondents.

40. CAV issued such request for proposals to qualified RFIQ respondents. Access to the RFP was limited to those RFIQ respondents who met the eligibility requirements described in the RFIQ process. The RFP was launched in December 2025 and closed in January 2026. Eligible proponents have received direct instructions for accessing the procurement documents, along with all requirements, timelines, and submission details. This current opportunity, along with others, are available on CAV’s Procurement page on its website in English and French. CAV plans to assess responses received in early 2026.

Live Chat Live Chat is available during customer service hours. Supported on Chrome and Firefox on Windows, and Safari and Waterfox on Mac (desktop only).

Darren “Daz” Saunders

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing LSQ Director

Daz Saunders holds a Ph.D. in linguistics and is also a specialist in langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). Daz has been an interpreter and trainer since 2005, and currently serves as an adjunct professor at UQÀM, where they teach in the LSQ interpreter training program. They are also a researcher with a focus on LSQ, ASL, LSQ-French, and ASL-English interpretation.

This hands-on experience gives them a practical understanding of the interpreting profession, the realities of VRS, and the day-to-day needs of service users.

Daz has served on the SIVET board of directors since 2017 where they have held the position of vice president. This long-standing involvement has allowed them to develop a practical understanding of the governance challenges and issues specific to this sector.

As a member of the CAV Board of Directors, Daz works to ensure equitable and inclusive access to accessible communication services for all Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people in Canada, including Indigenous peoples, Deafblind individuals, racialized individuals, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.

Christine “Coco” Roschaert

DeafBlind Permanent Invitee

Christine “Coco” Roschaert is a DeafBlind advocate, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of experience advancing accessibility and inclusion across Canada. Having lived in five provinces and now calling Ottawa home, she brings strong insight into regional and national frameworks supporting DeafBlind communities.
 
Coco has used Video Relay Service (VRS) for nearly 25 years, beginning with Sorenson’s first pilot at Gallaudet University in 2001. She has advised CAV, IVèS, and VRS/VRI interpreters on improving accessibility for DeafBlind users and later gained operational experience as a Customer Service Representative with IVèS in Montreal.
 
She has collaborated with the Deaf Wireless Canada Committee (DWCC) on CRTC accessibility work and currently serves as a Community Connector focused on accessible survey outreach and VRS reporting.
 
Coco holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Gallaudet University, is fluent in LSQ, and has delivered training in 40+ countries on DeafBlind accessibility and communication. Her deep experience in accessible telecommunications and policy makes her a strong candidate to represent DeafBlind users on the CAV Board of Directors.

Laura Henry

Human Resources Director

Laura is passionate about people, culture, and serving the Deaf community. She joined CAV as Human Resources Director in 2024, bringing over a decade of leadership experience and more than 25 years in the sign language interpreting field.

Laura is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) through the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a Diploma in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from McMaster University, a Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting, and a Master Mentorship Program certificate from Troy University.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and pets, watching and playing sports, and exploring the outdoors, especially kayaking.

Siyámotsiya Paula Wesley

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing ASL Director

Siyámotsiya Paula Wesley is a citizen of the Stó:lō First Nation and Kitsumkalum First Nation, deeply rooted in her Tsimshian heritage. As the new American Sign Language (ASL) Director, Paula brings a unique blend of artistic talent, cultural advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to accessibility for all Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) individuals.

Inspired by her cultural legacy, Paula honed her skills in textile, carving, and painting at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, where she earned a diploma in First Nations Fine Art. Her contemporary works reflect her deep connection to the land and her desire to share the beauty of Indigenous cultures.

As the new ASL Director, Paula’s passion for accessibility and inclusion shines through. She has been instrumental in advocating for the recognition of Indigenous Sign Languages (ISL) and ASL at both the national and provincial levels, collaborating with diverse communities to ensure their voices are heard. Her involvement in CRTC proceedings and the Review for Video Relay Services has amplified the experiences and needs of DDBHH, paving the way for more equitable access to communication services.

With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by DDBHH individuals, Paula is committed to fostering cultural understanding and inclusivity within the broader community. As a cultural advisor to Deaf organizations, she plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap and promoting mutual respect and appreciation.

Paula’s journey resonates with leadership, passion, and resilience, making her an invaluable asset to the Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV) and the communities she serves.

Vicente Teng

Video Producer

Vicente Teng is a Filipino-Canadian. His career in graphic design started in British Columbia. His passion for graphic design and videography grew, earning him a Vancouver Community College’s “2023 Outstanding Alumni: One to Watch” award. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he collaborated on “Quarantine Life: Canada” with Canadians from multiple provinces and worked on “Anti-Racism” projects with IBPOC co-chairpersons, alongside ASL translations.
Off duty, Vicente explores global art styles and enjoys photography and videography. He cofounded the British Columbia Deaf Photo Club, which boasts a large following.

Ryan V. Parkinson

Communications Manager

Ryan V. Parkinson is a versatile professional with a wide berth of skills in marketing, visual design and human dynamics. He has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a master’s degree in social work specializing in Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, from Gallaudet University. He draws from over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, and tirelessly champions accessibility and inclusion for the Deaf community. He has held multiple positions on boards in different capacities in local, provincial and national Deaf organizations in the last 15 years. Outside his professional pursuits, Ryan’s passion for cosmology and science is evident from his lifelong love of Star Trek. When not indulging his inner nerd, Ryan wanders the Rocky Mountains in his vintage 1977 Boler trailer, searching for lakes to swim in.

Kim Pelletier

Translation Specialist

Kim Pelletier is a full-time Translation Specialist at CAV, working in both LSQ and ASL to help ensure accessible communication across diverse settings. A native LSQ user and fluent in ASL, she brings over 15 years of experience as a Deaf Interpreter, with a strong background in education, community engagement, and interpretation. Kim holds a Bachelor of Education from York University and a Master’s degree in Deaf Education from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to language equity, accessibility, and fostering meaningful and effective communication within the Deaf community.

Kim now lives in a small village in Ontario, where she enjoys a quieter pace of life. She is the proud mother of two young CODA children and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys caring for plants, watching Northern Cardinals, and spending time camping and travelling with her family.

Patrick Lazure

Customer Service and Outreach Specialist

Patrick is Deaf and earned a college diploma in Recreational Intervention Techniques at Cégep Saint-Laurent and completed the Entrepreneurial Studies—Business Launch program at INSA College. His nearly two decades of experience in business and sport have given him a wealth of knowledge. He has led youth and political organizations, such as the World Federation of the Deaf (Youth Section), Canadian Association of the Deaf, Quebec Deaf Sports Association, and Quebec Sign Language Association. Patrick was involved in the business launch strategy and the startup of TraduSigne, a Montreal-based translation and interpretation company.

Patrick is an avid board game enthusiast and enjoys camping in nature to relax. He also likes undertaking renovations and craft projects at home.

Jo-Anne Bryan

Outreach and Events Specialist (ASL)

Jo-Anne Bryan, an interdisciplinary artist, vividly brings the complexities of life to the forefront through her performances, poetry, and signed music. As a member of the Speaking Vibrations group, she has captivated audiences in multiple cities from 2019 to 2024 with powerful narratives about ancestry, barriers, and family, all rooted in themes of connection and identity. In 2020, Jo-Anne transitioned into her role as Outreach/Events Specialist with the CAV team, using storytelling to bridge the gap with Deaf communities nationwide and advocate for universal access to Canada VRS. Her passion for fostering connections and amplifying diverse voices, whether in-person or online, makes her a beacon of inspiration and unity.

Wissam Constantin

Manager of Customer Service and Outreach

Since moving to Canada at the beginning of 2017, Wissam has been a dedicated member of the Deaf community and an advocate for accessibility across Canada. He is currently a director of the Board of Directors at Accessibility Standards Canada. He previously held the position of President of the Canadian Association of the Deaf, where he was heavily involved with CRTC proceedings and developed accessibility policies with other federal departments. Wissam recently earned a B.A. in Political Science, focusing on Canadian Politics and Public Policy, complemented by a minor in Law at Carleton University. He is an experienced Deaf Interpreter who brings valuable experience and vision to the team. Wissam is also an athlete and a coach, training with the Canada Deaf basketball team for the World Championships and Deaflympics.

Carmelle Cachero

Executive Interpreter

Carmelle is a certified interpreter (Canada and USA) who studied Sign Language
Interpretation at Douglas College in British Columbia. She actively engages with the Deaf
community and is an Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI) Practitioner with extensive experience in various settings providing ASL interpreting, DeafBlind interpreting, and Speech-to-Text transcription. Carmelle has also trained to Interpret for Theatre and is heavily involved with the performing arts community as an artist and interpreter.

Diane Underschultz

Customer Service and Outreach Specialist

Diane, a Deaf ASL signer from Alberta, brings extensive knowledge and experience with cultural differences and effective interaction. Diane holds diplomas in Human Resources Management and Sign Language Interpreting, showcasing her wide-ranging skills. Diane began her journey with Canada VRS in 2018 as a contractor in the Outreach program. She progressed to Assistant Manager and and now serves as a Customer Service and Outreach Specialist, demonstrating her adaptability and commitment. With a deep understanding of the Deaf community and a strong advocacy for positive change, Diane’s diverse educational background, professional skills, and dedication to continuous learning make her an asset to both CAV and the Deaf community. When Diane isn’t hard at work, she’s exploring the rich culture and history of countries around the world.

Jodi Birley

Director of Communications

Jodi Birley is a native ASL signer and a multi-talented individual, passionate about enhancing communication accessibility. From 2010 to 2016, She was pivotal in establishing Canada VRS, gaining national attention and catalyzing action. In October 2013, Jodi co-produced and presented a groundbreaking 8-minute video with the British Columbia VRS Committee during the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) public hearing. This video, a first in CRTC’s history, captured the hearts of the commissioners and laid the foundation for the initiation of VRS services across Canada. She has now come full circle by joining the CAV team as Director of Communications. When Jodi is not fully occupied by her work, she dedicates time to being a positive force in her pets’ lives and travelling on and off the grid with her partner.

David Egan

Director of Customer Service

David is a bilingual Canadian with more than 25 years of experience in Customer Service. He has held leadership and project management roles at organizations such as Bell Canada, Dell Computers, Xerox, and the federal government. Throughout his career, David has implemented, managed, and reorganized numerous customer service call centres to improve quality, maximize efficiency and deliver world-class customer service. He joined CAV in 2020 as a Customer Service Manager and now serves as Director of Customer Service. David has complementary interests: travelling off the beaten path and photography. Thanks to his interests, family and friends enjoy his adventures vicariously.

Chad Taylor

Chief Digital Officer

Chad Taylor is a Deaf Canadian based in the United States with more than 22 years of experience in VRS and various interpretation sectors. Chad has extensive expertise in the telecommunication industry, where he founded a couple of companies and served as a Chief Digital Officer (CDO). He is a Rochester Institute of Technology graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Even though Chad’s experience has provided him with opportunities abroad, he has maintained his Canadian citizenship. Chad now brings his wealth of knowledge back to Canada with plans to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Deaf Canadians. A devoted dad to his three Deaf children, Chad cherishes every second of his family time. He also enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and bingewatching Netflix shows.

Renu Sangha

CFO and Director of Operations for Video Interpreter Providers

Renu Sangha lives in British Columbia and is a Deaf first-generation Canadian of South Asian descent. She served on the CAV Board of Directors and as COO at Convo Canada, where she gained a deeper understanding of the VRS industry. Before her tenure at Convo Canada, Renu spent more than 15 years in the corporate realm in accounting, finance, information technology, and project management. Renu is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with bachelor’s degrees in information technology and business administration from Simon Fraser University. She is also AgileBA Foundation certified and a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO). Renu is a proud mom to a CODA daughter and a dog. She finds joy in lifting heavy weights, hiking the beautiful trails of British Columbia, travelling, reading, cooking, and sharing her passions with her family.

Dr Paula Bath

Director of Regulatory Compliance and Strategy

Paula started her 25-year career as a sign language interpreter, where she earned accreditations from the federal government and the courts. Paula works in English, ASL, LSQ, and French and proudly contributed to the access team during the inaugural broadcasted CRTC proceeding that laid the foundation for the VRS in Canada. She has a Ph.D. in Social Cultural Analysis that researched the multi-sensory experiences between Deaf and hearing people communicating and brings a consumer-based research approach to organizational strategy and decision-making. In 2019, Paula joined CAV as Manager of Video Interpreter Operations and then, Director of Technology Operations and, is currently, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Strategy. Paula enjoys outdoor adventure sports like mountaineering and white-water canoeing. She also enjoys learning about the healing properties of plants and trees.

Suzanne Laforest

CEO and Executive Director

Suzanne is a Deaf Canadian proficient in 4 languages: LSQ, ASL, French and English. She has more than 20 years of experience, including Executive Director roles where she ensured the evolution and sustainability of various services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind (DHHDB). Suzanne’s involvement in VRS began well before its creation. In 2012, she participated in a committee that supported the implementation of VRS in Canada. She spent two years serving on CAV’s first Board of Directors as ASL/LSQ Director for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and, before becoming Executive Director of CAV, was Director of Video Interpreter Providers (VIP) Operations.

When Suzanne isn’t keeping an impressive number of balls in the air at Canada VRS, she’s travelling and caring for her also impressive collection of thriving plants.

Geneviève Bujold

LSQ Interpreter, Permanent Invitee

Geneviève Bujold is a permanent guest representing the langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) interpreters on the CAV Board of Directors.

With over 20 years of experience in diverse fields, including academia, arts, the government and the private sector. She sits on the Translation Bureau’s Conference Interpretation Advisory Panel and is currently completing a master’s degree in Translation Studies at Concordia University.

Actively involved in interpreters’ associations for the past decade, she teaches in the training program for interpreters at the Université du Québec à Montréal and is committed to the development of the profession.

Darlene Halwas CFA, ICD.D

Independent Director

Darlene currently serves on the board of the Canada Energy Regulator, Carbon Management Canada Inc. and chairs the Departmental Audit Committee for Infrastructure Canada. She is Red River Métis and a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. She has almost 30 years of work experience, with 15 years focused on leading risk management functions for companies. In the past, she has served on other boards, including the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services, Canada Development Investment Corporation, Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Aquatera Utilities Inc., Safety Codes Council (Chair, Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee), the Management Employees Pension Board (Chair, Investment Committee), and the Calgary Police Commission. Darlene holds her Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Manitoba, CFA designation, ICD.D, certification in tribunal administrative justice and is an FRM. Since 1995, she has volunteered with the CFA Institute, as an exam grader, curriculum reviewer and on the global Disciplinary Review Committee. She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Canada.

Carla Dupras

ASL Interpreter Permanent Invitee

Carla Dupras is a child of deaf adults (Coda), a heritage language user of American Sign Language, and a community freelance interpreter for the last 27 years. She is an honorary lifetime member of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Alberta (ASLIA) and a certified (COI) member of the Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters (CASLI).

Carla maintains an active and engaged presence in both provincial and national organizations, as well as in her local community in Alberta. Currently, Carla sits on the federal government Translation Bureau advisory panel in addition to mentoring colleagues who are new to the field of interpreting. She remains focused on enhancing the quality of interpreting service in all aspects of people’s life.

Mark Kusiak

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing ASL/LSQ Director and Board Chair

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta. Since 2008, he has worked at London Drugs, beginning as a staff pharmacist supporting nursing homes and compounding centres and now serving as a Pharmacy Manager. In his current role, he oversees pharmacy operations, human resources, policy development, and financial management, including key performance indicators and inventory control.

Outside of his professional work, Mark is active in volunteer leadership within the Deaf sport community. He is currently an Executive Board Member of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf and previously served as President of the Canadian Deaf Sports Association for 10 years. In his free time, he enjoys CrossFit and longevity-focused training.

Ruth Altman

Telecommunications Service Provider Director

Ruth has over twenty years of experiencing working in telecommunications and broadcasting. Since 2006, she has been with Rogers Communications, working in a variety of progressive roles in the Regulatory department. Currently, she is Director Regulatory Consumer Policy, where she provides advice on consumer-oriented regulatory topics and represents the company with government, industry and community stakeholders, including on matters related to accessibility.

At Rogers, she has also previously served on the steering committee for Rogers AccessAbility Network, an employee resource group dedicated to empowering employees with visible and invisible disabilities to achieve professional and personal growth.

Since 2024, Ruth is a board director and Chair of the Advocacy Committee at JVS Toronto, a non-profit agency that offers a full range of employment services in locations across the GTA. Ruth has a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Jordan Sangalang, MA (Commencing May 2021)

DHH ASL/LSQ Director

JordanSangalang

Jordan is a Service Manager at New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous trainings and workshops which contribute to his leadership and management style. Additionally, he provides training as a Non-Violent Crisis Intervention instructor and teaches ASL at the University of Manitoba. He is involved in theatre, physical sketch comedy, and storytelling. When he is not performing, he dedicates time to both individuals and organizations that serve the Deaf community. Jordan holds a B.A. from the University of British Columbia and a M.A. from Gallaudet University.

Sue Decker

CEO and Executive Director, Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV), Inc.

Sue is responsible for leading the development, implementation and administration of Canada’s inaugural video relay service, SRV Canada VRS. In the Spring of 2015, Sue assumed the leadership of the CRTCs vision to build a video relay service for Deaf Canadians, transforming a start-up organization to a fully operationalized telecommunications relay service which launched in the Fall of 2016.  Prior to becoming CAV’s Executive Director, Sue managed AT&T’s Accessible Communications Services business which included Text and VRS Relay Services. In her 20 years of service with AT&T she developed extensive experience in product development and providing telecommunications services for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Post AT&T, she served as a consultant to other VRS companies located throughout U.S. and Europe, making her one of the foremost VRS experts in the world.

J. Scott Fletcher

Board Secretary​

Scott Fletcher is a senior partner in Gowling WLG’s Ottawa office, practising in general corporate and commercial law with significant emphasis on telecommunications, technology, energy and government relations.

He is one of the firm’s authorities in providing corporate and commercial advice relating to commercial alliances, strategic and policy board advice and privatizations, as well as in general corporate and commercial matters. Scott also provides advice on a number of regulatory matters in the telecommunications, energy and gaming/lotteries industries. In addition, he routinely provides strategic counsel to corporate clients on telecommunications industry-based matters, the divestiture of government departments and programs into the private sector, and other corporate and commercial issues.

Scott is the firm client team leader for several major firm clients in the telecommunications and energy sectors. He has served as a director of a number of federal Canadian corporations and has represented numerous federal Crown corporations. Scott also serves as an executive team member for a number of firm clients.

Tony D’Onofrio, CFA, ICD.D

Independent Director

Tony gained extensive advisory and capital markets experience over a 20-year career in finance and investment banking. He has been working with the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG) since 2010.  He is responsible for leading CCGG’s board engagement efforts and he regularly meets with the directors of leading public companies to discuss governance matters on behalf of Canada’s largest institutional investors.  He has been a frequent guest speaker and advises independently on governance matters and shareholder engagement.  Tony holds a Masters in Business Administration (Schulich School) and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a faculty member of The Directors College.

Dr. Marty Taylor

ASL Interpreter Permanent Invitee

Marty Taylor is an interpreter, educator and a nationally certified interpreter in Canada and the U.S. Dr. Taylor has been involved in video relay interpreting research for over ten years and has been a CAV Board Member since its inception. Marty has written two seminal books in the interpreting field: Interpretation Skills: English to American Sign Language and Interpretation Skill: American Sign Language to English which are used in over 100 interpreter education programs. Her current projects involve research on interpreting in educational settings, spoken language skills of native-English speakers, creating and supporting distance education, and developing materials to enhance interpreter skills development.

Jonathan Daniels

TSP Director

Jonathan Daniels, B.A. (McGill) 1990, J.D. (Toronto) 1994, is Vice President Regulatory Law at Bell. He has worked with Bell in various capacities since 2004.  His primary focus is on major telecommunications regulatory policy issues.  Previously he served as VP Regulatory for Cable & Wireless Caribbean, VP of Regulatory and Carrier Relations for C1 Communications in Toronto, Director of Regulatory for Covad Communications and Director of Regulatory Affairs for Sprint Canada.  After law school, Mr. Daniels articled and was an associate with the law firm Stikeman, Elliott.  In his various roles, Mr. Daniels has appeared before committees of the House of Commons, the Senate, the CRTC and numerous regulators in the Caribbean.  Mr. Daniels taught telecommunications law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and telecommunications market dynamics at Ryerson University.

Dr. Jessica Dunkley, MD, MHSc, CCFP

DHH ASL Director​

Dr. Dunkley is a family physician and resident physician in dermatology at the University of BC with a 16-year career in healthcare, including clinical medicine, health program evaluations and delivering professional development workshops.  She is involved in clinical research in dermatology, having presented at numerous conferences in North America.  She is a frequent speaker for various conferences related to accessibility and health care and provides mentorship to aspiring Deaf and hard of hearing health professionals.  Dr. Dunkley holds a Bachelor of Physical Therapy & Masters of Clinical Epidemiology from UBC and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Ottawa.   

Gwen Beauchemin

Independent Director

Gwen is an independent board member and an owner and cybersecurity consultant at Tillet Consulting. She engages with organizations that aim to improve citizen access and security to telecommunications and data networks in Canada. Gwen holds board positions with the Canadian Administrator of VRS (CAV), Canadian Internet Registry Authority (CIRA), Quantum Safe Canada (QSC), and the Human-Centric Cybersecurity Partnership (HC2P). With a career spanning more than 35 years, including roles at Bell Northern Networks, Nortel, the Government of Canada, and Payments Canada, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Her extensive experience encompasses executive and management roles in IT development, IT operations, product-release management, operational and strategic policy, and security. Gwen has a Bachelor of Computer Science, with Honours, from Carleton University in Management & Information Systems. She is an accomplished leader, with certificates from the Council of Canadian Innovators (iGP L2), ICD (Governance Essentials Program), EC-Council (C|CISO), Canadian Forces Staff College (Executive Leaders’ Programme), Government of Canada School of Public Service (Direxion program), Queen’s University (Strategy Programs), and ITIL and PMBOK programs.

Kate Southwell

Telecommunications Service Providers Director

Kate is currently Assistant General Counsel at Bell Canada. She provides legal and regulatory guidance regarding compliance with accessibility-related legislation, regulations, and regulatory obligations. She also supports the establishment of associated policies, procedures, and best practices. Kate develops policy positions on regulatory issues, including accessibility, and is actively involved in internal accessibility and inclusion initiatives, including membership in accessibility steering committees and working groups. Kate is a lawyer and has been a member of the Law Society of Ontario since 2013. She has a Juris Doctor from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto and a B.F.A., with Distinction, from the University of Windsor. Prior to joining Bell, Kate managed a broad corporate/commercial litigation practice at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, on whose behalf she appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada and all court levels in Ontario.

David Joseph

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing LSQ Director

David currently works as a Financial Analyst at Health Canada.  With his 11 years tenure in the Federal Government, he has acquired experience in various divisions such as accounting operations, financial system, financial policy and corporate accounting. He is an analytical and critical thinking person that loves to be involved in various non-profit organizations.  In addition to CAV, he is the Treasurer for the Canadian Deaf Sports Association (CDSA).  David is fluent in 4 languages:  LSQ, ASL, French and English.  His first languages are LSQ and French.  He also teaches American Sign Language (ASL) at Carleton University for the past 10 years. 

Anne Missud

LSQ Interpreter Permanent Invitee

Anne Missud is a permanent invitee, representing the French-LSQ interpreters at the CAV board. She acquired long standing and wide interpreting experience over a 20-year career in various public and private settings. She is actively involved in the training of interpreters as a teacher at the University of Quebec in Montreal. She is currently completing her Ph.D./Psy. D in community psychology, her research focuses on the wellbeing of the deaf community. She is a certified member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec.

Personalize Your Own Canada VRS Calling Card

Just add your name and 10-digit number. Print your sheet of calling cards, then trim and hand them out to colleagues, friends, and family.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.