This paper addresses in detail what needs to happen before community interpreters are fully recognized as the language professionals that they are. The Canadian context is explored in an attempt to explain some of the main reasons that might be acting as barriers to full professional recognition of the profession of community interpreting. The author provides the reader with a better understanding of the situation of medical interpreters in Canada through describing the legislative context in which healthcare interpreting services are provided, the healthcare system itself, the so-called language "professions," the situation of medical interpreting in Canada, and the standards of practice generally used in the industry. Finally, looking toward the future, he makes a number of recommendations aimed at helping develop the profession and, ultimately, the quality of healthcare interpreting services, in Canada and abroad.