Ottawa - March 16, 2010 - The Canadian Transportation Agency today issued a $12,500 penalty to OC Transpo for failing to comply with an order to call out major and requested stops on all of its routes.

In a November 2007 Decision, the Agency found that OC Transpo’s failure to call out stops was an undue obstacle to transportation for persons with a visual impairment.

The July 2009 edition of GDUC’s quarterly newsletter is now available. This newsletter contains a lot of very important information about the upcoming conference, including information on potential funding that is available to assist with the additional incidental expenses of traveling to the conference with an attendant, election nominations, resolutions, etc.

OTTAWA - April 1, 2009 - The Canadian Transportation Agency today released two reports which found that the majority of key transportation service providers are compliant with two important sections of the Code of Practice: Removing Communication Barriers for Travelers with Disabilities.

Guide Dog Users of Canada advises Toronto handlers to be aware that there is a known electric shock hazard with certain metal sidewalk plates that they should be aware of. Toronto Hydro has acknowledged that some metal covers may be electrified by leaked current from nearby equipment. Numerous pets and at least one child has been shocked, and a guide dog stepping on one of these plates may be shocked as well.

The end result may not be fatal, but the psychological effects of the experience could negatively impact on your dog’s work. GDUC has written a letter to Toronto Hydro (and the Toronto Star) in response to the January 30, 2009 article about the issue.

In January 2008, the Canadian Transportation Agency issued a ruling that would require that airlines (Air Canada, Westjet) offer a second seat (without cost) to certain travellers with disabilities, and certain extremely obese individuals. Today, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal (with costs going back to the respondants, i.e. CCD), effectively removing the last option the airlines had for subverting the original CTA decision.

September 4, 2008 (from the Council of Canadians with Disabilities) — Once again the Canadian disability community is up against a transportation Goliath. This time it is the tag team of Air Canada and WestJet. These wealthy corporations are using expensive legal tactics to fight the removal of a significant barrier to the mobility of persons with disabilities. Air Canada and WestJet want to keep charging disabled people, who need additional space to accommodate their disabilities, the price of an extra ticket. The airlines are seeking leave to appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) decision which ruled that persons with disabilities, who because of their disability require an additional seat or an attendant to assist them with in flight needs not met by flight attendants, will not have to purchase two fares.

OTTAWA - June 20, 2008 - The Canadian Transportation Agency issued its Decision today ordering Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz to ensure sufficient floor space is provided for certified service animals at the person with a disability’s seat.

Today’s Decision continues to ensure equal access to the federal transportation network for persons with disabilities, regardless of the nature of the disability. Travelling in a very constrained position has negative implications for a service animal which may impact on its ability to function and which may negatively impact a person’s well-being and increase the risk of injury, and therefore has safety implications for both the individual and the service animal.

Montreal, QC, June 14, 2008 — For many Canadians who are blind or who have low vision, a guide dog affords unparalleled independence and mobility to its handler. Even amidst the apparent chaos of the busy downtown core in any urban center, guide dogs and their handlers travel, navigate, and negotiate sidewalks, intersections, busses, subways, and a never-ending flow of pedestrians day in and day out. How do these teams work, why do they work so well, and how can they work even better together? That is the purpose behind the 2008 Guide Dog Users of Canada Conference & AGM, to be held November 1, 2008 at the Days Hotel & Conference Centre in downtown Montreal.

Click here for full details!

On January 12, 2008, the Canadian Transportation Agency ruled that airlines must provide a second seat (free of charge) to Canadians with disabilities who require it to accommodate their disability, or to provide space for a personal attendant, for those who cannot travel alone. (The full press release can be found here.) On May 14th, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that it would not entertain an appeal by Westjet and Air Canada.

MINISTER OF JUSTICE APPOINTS BOARD MEMBER TO THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

OTTAWA , February 1, 2008 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C. Q. C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Sandi Bell as a part-time Board Member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Ms. Bell is a highly respected expert with over 30 years experience. Her years of experience have included significant human rights, equality and diversity components, much experience in terms of leadership and change management, working the front lines with people of colour, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal/First Nations people, alienated youth and other disenfranchised groups to assist them in developing skills to be their own change managers. As a female, and an individual of African-Canadian and Aboriginal-First Nations heritage and a person with a physical disability, Ms. Bell’s passion and experience will be a great asset to the mandate of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.