Legislation Related to Service Animal Users

There are not many laws in Canada that directly address service animal handlers or their animals. People often find that a clause in a Human Rights Act, for instance, can be used to obtain access rights when they are with their service animal. For that reason, we are trying for a broad list rather than a narrow one, and hope that you will help by letting us know of any laws (Federal, Provincial, or Municipal) than can help service animal handlers that we've missed. Please send suggestions for additional links to legislation to the email list.

Federal

• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Canadian Human Rights Act
• Canada Transportation Act
• Canada Transportation Act - Air Transportation Regulations
• Canada Transportation Act -
  Personnel Training for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities Regulations

Provincial and Territorial

British Columbia

• Human Rights Code
• Guide Animal Act

Alberta

• Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act
• Blind Person's Rights Act
• Blind Person's Rights Amendment Act (which adds specific protection for service dogs for the Deaf.)
• Other

Saskatchewan

• Human Rights Code
• Other

Manitoba

• Human Rights Code
• Food and Food Handling Establishments Regulation (see section 9(a)
• Other

Ontario

• Human Rights Code
• Blind Person's Rights Act
• Ontarians with Disabilities Act
• Ontario Regulation 429/07 made under the
  Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005

Quebec

• Charter of human rights and freedoms
• Blind Person's Rights Act
• Other

New Brunswick

• Human Rights Act
• Blind Person's Rights Act
• Other

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Human Rights Code
• Blind Person's Rights Act
• Other

Nova Scotia

• Human Rights Act
• Blind Person's Rights Act
• Other

Prince Edward Island

• Human Rights Act
• Other

Yukon

• Human Rights Act
• Other

Northwest Territories

• Human Rights Act
• Other

Nunavut

• Human Rights Act
• Other

International

We recognise that there may be international treaty law that could, or should, apply in Canada. There are also certainly many jurisdictions that have chosen differerent ways to legislate regarding people with disabilities and service animals. Although these are not in any way a focus of discussion on the ServiceAnimal.ca email list, we are interested in linking to those laws so that members of the list have a source of information to let local politicians know how other countries are handling things.

• United Nations and other International Treaties
• United Kingdom
• Australia and New Zealand
• European Union
• United States

© 2008 Psychiatric Service Dog Society
Disclaimer: Material on this website is provided for educational purposes only.
Consult your own physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with
respect to your symptoms or medical condition.