Canadian Transportation Agency launches consultation on accessible transportation as Phase 1 of its Regulatory Modernization Initiative

GATINEAU, QC, June 6, 2016 /CNW/ - As part of the Regulatory Modernization Initiative announced last week, the Agency is launching the first phase of its regulatory review, which focusses on accessible transportation.

To advance this initiative, the Agency will be meeting with its Accessibility Advisory Committee on June 20, 2016, and will be asking for input from persons with disabilities, transportation service providers and all interested Canadians on how regulatory measures can help make the federal transportation network accessible for persons with disabilities. Interested parties have until September 30, 2016, to submit comments at [e-mail]. A discussion paper on accessible transportation is available.

Currently, the Agency administers two sets of accessibility regulations:

• Part VII of the Air Transportation Regulations sets out the terms and conditions of carriage of persons with disabilities on domestic flights using aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats. The regulations prescribe the disability-related services that carriers are required to provide to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to air travel.
• Personnel Training for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities Regulations require air and federal rail and ferry carriers and terminal operators to ensure that their employees and contractors are trained to provide transportation services to persons with disabilities.

The Agency also sets out expectations for the accessibility of the federal transportation network in accessibility standards.

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"Accessible transportation services give Canadians with disabilities equal opportunity to live independently and participate fully in society," said Scott Streiner, Chair and CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency. "The Agency is committed to ensuring that its regulatory modernization initiative helps advance this fundamental human right."

Quick Facts

• The nine regulations currently administered by the Agency will form the core of the exercise, together with proposed new regulations for accessible transportation. Compliance tools and business practices will also be addresses as part of the broader scope of this exercise.
• The modernization of accessibility regulations complements the anticipated introduction of a Canadians with Disabilities Act
• The Regulatory Modernization Initiative has four phases:
  • Accessible transportation;
  • Consumer protection for air travellers;
  • Air transportation; and
  • Rail transportation.
• The Agency plans to complete consultations and draft modernized regulations by the end of 2017, and implement the regulations in 2018.

SOURCE Canadian Transportation Agency

For further information: Contacts: Media Relations, Canadian Transportation Agency, [e-mail], 819-934-3448