Toolkit

Printer-friendly version

Legal Analysis of Bill C-81

Bill C-81 Legal Review

A Legal Review of Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada from a disability rights perspective. This brief has been prepared by a group of Canadian lawyers at the request of the Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance.

Recommendations for Improving Bill C-81

Recommandations de l’Alliance pour une loi fédérale sur l’accessibilité en vue de l’amélioration du projet de loi C-81, Loi canadienne sur l’accessibilité

L’ALFA demande que le projet de Loi canadienne sur l’accessibilité (projet de loi C-81) soit renforcé par les recommandations formulées dans ce document. Nous voulons que le projet de loi C-81 reçoive la sanction royale lors de la législature actuelle, au plus tard au printemps 2019.

Bill C-81 - The Proposed Accessible Canada Act - FALA's Position

Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act is the first federal legislation of its kind. We applaud the Government of Canada for its leadership in accessibility. However, before the bill becomes law, we have a number of recommendations we would like to see adopted. (See our Bill C-81 Recommended Changes document in the Toolbox section of the include-me.ca website.) This document outlines our position on Bill C-81 and high-level issues of concern. This was presented to MPs and senators in early October.

Ces recommandations ont été développé par l’Alliance pour une loi fédérale sur l’accessibilité

Le 22 octobre, 2018

Recommandations de l’Alliance pour une loi fédérale sur l’accessibilité en vue de la mise en œuvre de la Loi canadienne sur l’accessibilité

Qui nous sommes

L’Alliance pour une loi fédérale sur l’accessibilité (ALFA) est un regroupement de 56 organisations vouées à la défense des droits des personnes handicapées visant à contribuer à l’élaboration d’une loi solide et efficace.

Brief from the AODA Alliance

The AODA Alliance has finalized its brief to the Parliament of Canada on Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act. This brief identifies the areas where the bill needs improvements, and makes detailed recommendations for changes. These proposed amendments fit within the framework of Bill C-81, as it is currently designed.

Recommendations Made by ARCH Disability Law Centre to Improve Bill C-81

Bill C-81, An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada, is a significant piece of legislation that has the potential to truly advance accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Canada. ARCH Disability Law Centre has developed recommendations for strengthening Bill C-81. Read their recommendations at:  http://archdisabilitylaw.ca/ARCH%27s_Recommendations_on_Bill_C-81 - note this is a downloadable file.

Resources for Working with the Media

Loi C-81: Questions et Réponses

1.

Q. Pourquoi est-ce le projet de loi C-81 est si important?

R. Parce que ce sera la première fois que le gouvernement canadien adoptera une loi obligeant les organismes fédéraux à travers le pays à assurer l'accessibilité aux lieux de travail, aux espaces publics, à l'emploi, aux programmes, aux services et à l'information.

2

Understanding the proposed Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81)

Explication en langage simple de la Loi canadienne sur l’accessibilité proposée

Ce document a pour objectif d’aider le public à comprendre les éléments principaux du projet de loi C-81, la Loi visant à faire du Canada un pays exempt d’obstacles. Ce projet de loi est aussi connu sous le nom de Loi canadienne sur l’accessibilité proposée. Un projet de loi est une proposition parlementaire qui a pour objectif de faire une nouvelle loi. Un projet de loi qui a été approuvé par le Parlement s’appelle une loi.

The Government of Canada’s Plain Language Version of Bill-C-81

The following document was created by the Government of Canada. This is a summary of Bill C-81 in plain language. This is an easier read than the legal version of the bill. This version gives you the main components of the bill and defines some of the language used.

Other Helpful Resources

Canada’s Proposed Federal Accessibility Legislation Summary Report

This report is a summary of recommendations for the proposed federal accessibility legislation from seven non-profit organizations. Each of these organizations provided the government with a detailed list of recommendations formed by input from their members of their respective organizations. On March 28, 2018, these seven organizations came together to discuss their findings and recommendations for the proposed federal accessibility legislation. The information shared, was based on feedback from 141+ partner organizations, and 5400+ respondents. This feedback was used to develop a summary report. This summary report highlights ten of the commonly observed themes and recommendations. They are not presented in any order of priority. These seven organization have continued to work together and now make up the Federal Accessibility Legislation Alliance (FALA) leadership team.

Senator Munson's Speech on Bill C-81 to the Senate

Hon. Jim Munson moved second reading of Bill C-81, An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada.

He said: Honourable senators, I rise to begin debate at second reading on Bill C-81. However, before I get into the formalities of my debate, imagine as an Ottawa senator, I will now get to skate to work. Living in town, how Canadian is that, eh? And in the springtime, when the ice breaks, I’ll be able to canoe to work. I don’t know how many Canadians can do that.

The Draft Legislation: Bill C-81 - The Accessible Canada Act (First Reading)

On June 20th 2018, Bill C-81 was tabled in the House of Commons and the draft legislation was publicly released. Bill C-81 is also known as the proposed Accessible Canada Act. The purpose of the proposed Act is to benefit all Canadians, especially people with disabilities, by identifying, removing and preventing barriers in areas that are under federal power. The following link goes to the Government of Canada's website.