Consultation on Requests for Temporary Exemptions from the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations

The Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) is seeking input on requests by transportation service providers for temporary exemptions from certain provisions of the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR).

Transportation service providers have made these requests based on the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The provisions of the ATPDR for which they are seeking temporary exemptions are:

• section 4 – general information provided in alternative formats
• section 8 – providing alternate means to access information, and publication of how to access relay services;
• section 9 – website requirements;
• section 10 – public announcements inside terminals, and public announcements for safety or security;
• sections 15 to 23 – training requirements;
• section 32 – 48 hours advance notice;
• subsection 35(c)(ii) – permitting a non-travelling person/escort to accompany a person through the security screening process;
• section 39, 81 and 205 – personal electronic device, and onboard entertainment for pre-existing aircraft and buses;
• section 43 – onboard storage for walkers or manual folding wheelchairs;
• section 57 – onboard announcements;
• section 58 – written confirmation of services;
• section 59 – retention of electronic copies;
• section 75 – tactile row markers (technical requirement);
• section 78 – wheelchair accessible washrooms (technical requirement);
• section 164 – onboard entertainment for pre-existing ferries;
• section 216 – curbside assistance; and
• subsections 227(1), (2) and (3) – provisions related to designated relief areas on the non-secure side of terminals.

In addition, some transportation service providers are seeking further delays to the coming into force of the following provisions of the ATPDR, which are not yet in force, but are scheduled to come into force later in 2021 or 2022:

• section 11 – automated self-service kiosks;
• section 223 – requirements for lift, ramp or stairs;
• section 225 – requirements for wheelchair; and
• subsection 227(4) – designated relief areas on the secure side of terminals.

Deadline for providing input

You have until February 15, 2021, to review and comment on the submissions.

You should submit your input to OTC.CETA-CEAT.CTA@otc-cta.gc.ca.

If you require accommodations to submit input, please contact OTC.CETA-CEAT.CTA@otc-cta.gc.ca.

How to submit input

All submissions will be considered public documents and will be posted on the CTA's website in the official language in which they were received, along with the name of the individual or organization that submitted them.

Submissions that contain information that should be treated as confidential, should be filed in two versions:

1. A public version of the document in which the confidential information is not included, and
2. A confidential version of the document in which:
   • each page is marked "contains confidential information" at the top; and
   • the confidential information that was not included in the public version is identified on each page by highlighting or other means.

Public versions will be posted on the CTA website and confidential submissions will be for the CTA's own use only. However, all input received is subject to the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act. The CTA will protect the confidentiality of information received in accordance with these Acts, but those Acts can require the CTA to release information if someone requests it, with some exceptions.