Between July 2016 and February 2017 the Government of Canada conducted public consultations with respect to the planning of federal accessibility legislation. In May 2017 the federal government released its consultation report, Accessible Canada. Creating new federal accessibility legislation. What we learned from Canadians.
According to the results of the consultations, participants expect the Canadian federal government to assume a leadership role in improving accessibility throughout the country, set out standards that could be adopted by provincial governments if necessary, and introduce broad accessibility legislation spanning a variety of areas with particular emphasis on accessibility in employment. As a result of the consultation, in August 2017 the federal Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities indicated that the planned federal accessibility legislation will be “proactive” and will provide leadership beyond the federal jurisdiction.
The planned accessibility legislation is expected to apply only to federally regulated employers. At this time, seven Canadian provinces are yet to enact accessibility legislation.