New accessibility legislation: The Accessible Canada Act

August 21, 2019 Beyond Rewards Inc Accessibility Standards, Human Resources, Human Rights, Penalties and Fines, 0

On June 21^st, 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.

About
Latest Posts

Beyond Rewards Inc

Human Resources and Risk Management Consultants and Training Provider at Beyond Rewards Inc

Beyond Rewards is a boutique firm offering a full suite of Human Resource, Safety, Workplace investigations, Accessibility Standards and Risk Management solutions, online training programs and customized face to face training for our clients. Several exceptional expert consultants led by Lynne Bard, HBa, CHRP, CES, President/Senior Consultant,will be blogging regularly on First Reference Talks on behalf of Beyond Rewards Inc. Read more here.