On June 21st, 2019, the Accessible Canada Act received royal assent. This new federal accessibility legislation in Canada aims to achieve the goal of a barrier-free Canada by the year 2040. This act gives powers to the Government of Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to create new legal requirements to advance federal accessibility. This legislation will follow similar standards that make up the provincial accessibility legislation in Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. This includes implementing standards for how organizations will identify, remove and prevent barriers in:
- Employment
- Built environment
- Information and communication technologies
- Communication, other than information and communication technologies
- Procurement of goods, services and facilities
- Design and delivery of programs and services
- Transportation
The Act gives powers to the Government of Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to create new legal requirements to advance federal accessibility.
Compliance will be enforced by the Accessibility Commissioner through conducting inspections, making production and compliance orders, as well as imposing administrative monetary penalties up to $250,000.
Ensure your organization is following all provincial and federal legislation, where is applicable.
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