Interpreting

Interpreting in Canada: what it costs and how to book

Updated 4 November 2026

Interpreting in Canada usually costs CA$50–CA$85 per hour in Toronto, and CA$600–CA$1,200 per day for each interpreter. Simultaneous interpreting runs higher, around CA$100–CA$250 per hour. The quickest way to see current prices for your language pair and date is to describe the job in a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Certification and court rates

Interpreter certification in Canada is obtained by passing the exams set by the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). Each exam costs CA$75 plus applicable tax, a passing mark of 70% is needed on both exams, and results can take up to twelve weeks. Ontario pays freelance court interpreters CA$60–CA$70 per hour, a useful benchmark when you ask a candidate about rates.

Season and travel

Winter in Canada runs from December to February and summer from June to August, so November sits between the two. Interpreting in a meeting room is not weather-bound, but an interpreter travelling between Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary or Ottawa in winter should have travel time and transport costs agreed in advance. Book with enough notice to settle these before the day.

How interpreting is priced here

Quotes are usually per hour or per day, and a day rate applies to each interpreter. Simultaneous work is often done by two interpreters per language pair, so the day rate applies twice. Some quotes add applicable tax on top, so ask whether the figure includes it. Rates also differ by city, so always give the city of the event.

What to put in your request

Name the language pair, the type of interpreting (simultaneous, phone, video or on-site), the subject, the date, the duration and the city. For a court or legal hearing, say so, because the rates are different. Add your budget per hour or per day, and say whether the price should include tax. Sellers who receive the request reply in the chat with their rate, availability and travel terms.

Once the request is posted on BlaBlaPrice, the AI reads it, asks for any missing details and looks through sellers' websites and price lists in Canada, then shows the prices and businesses it found. Interpreting businesses registered on BlaBlaPrice receive the request and answer in the chat with their own offer. Your contact details stay hidden until you decide who to contact. For related language work, see Translation & typing services, or create a request.