The provincial government launched a public consultation on proposed accessibility legislation. The proposed BC legislation will support and align with the federal government’s passing of Bill C-81, Accessible Canada Act: An Act to Ensure a Barrier-free Canada. The Bill came into effect in June 2019 and sets accessibility requirements for sectors or organizations under federal jurisdiction.
Provincial legislation will complement Bill C-81 and apply to sectors and organizations under provincial jurisdiction. The legislation will require the development, implementation, and enforcement of accessibility standards in BC.
Accessibility standards will be required for the built environment and transportation, as well as information, communication, service delivery and employment.
Incentives, such as funding programs, may be provided for organizations such as local governments that are required to comply with the legislation and standards. The proposed provincial legislation also creates a compliance and enforcement framework, with monetary penalties for non-compliance.
Interested parties can review the Framework for Accessibility Legislation document and provide feedback by email, telephone, on-line questionnaire, virtual town hall, or attending an in-person session. The consultation period closes on November 29th.
Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, will also be speaking about accessibility legislation during the Small Talk forum, at the UBCM AGM, on Tuesday, September 24, 2019.
After the consultation period ends, the BC Government will provide a summary of the feedback and input that has been received. Input received will be used to inform the development of accessibility legislation for BC.
Legislation is proposed for Fall 2020.