The Critical Link network began in 1992 when Brian Harris, at the University of Ottawa, with the encouragement and support of Geoffrey Kingscott of Language International, gathered together a group of people working in the field in Canada to organize the first international conference on community interpreting.

In December 2000, Critical Link became incorporated as:

Critical Link Canada: National Council for the Development of Community Interpreting

Maillon Essentiel Canada: conseil national pour le développement de l’interprétation en milieu social.

In June 2010 Critical Link Canada became Critical Link International. This change to the Critical Link name better reflects the international community that Critical Link has become. While the name has changed, Critical Link continues as a non-profit organization committed to the advancement of the field of community interpreting in the social, legal and health care sectors. Critical Link works to reflect and connect both the visual and spoken language communities.

Critical Link Canada fulfills its mandate by:


1   Promoting the establishment of standards which guide the practice of
     community interpreters

2   Encouraging and sharing research in the field of community interpretation

3   Adding to the discussion about the educational and training requirements
     for community interpreters

4   Advocating for the provision of professional community interpreting services
     by social, legal and health care institutions

5   Raising awareness about community interpreting as a profession

The founding members of Critical Link Canada are:

Diana Abraham
Silvana Carr
Lucille Cormier
Marco Fiola
Nathan Garber
Brian Harris
Lyndon Hrytzak
Karen Malcolm
Roda Roberts
Dini Steyn
Terese Szlamp-Fryga