Deaf Canadians consist of those people who are culturally deaf which refers to individuals who identify with and participate in the language, culture, and community of Deaf people, based on a signed language. Deaf culture does not perceive hearing loss and deafness from a pathological point of view, but rather from a socio-cultural linguistic point of view.

Moreover, deaf culture consists of signed language and values, traditions and behaviour norms specific to the Deaf community. As a result, Deaf culture offers a strong sense of belonging.

Statistics on Deaf Canadians are hard to collect and no two organizations seem to agree on the numbers involved. For instance, according to tthe Canadian Association of the Deaf, Canadians who identify themselves as culturally Deaf comprise more than 350,000 people across Canada. Other agencies project lower estimates.

Often the church does not view the deaf as having their own distinct identity resulting in deaf ministries being an add-on or playing a more subservient role in churches. A need exists to recognize deaf people as having their own unique identity and being able to worship within their own unique language, values, traditions, and behavior.