National AccessAbility Week – Message from the Chair

May 28, 2024 – Gatineau, QC – Canadian Transportation Agency

The Canadian Transportation Agency recognizes National AccessAbility Week, which takes place May 26 to June 1, 2024, as an opportunity to highlight the fundamental human right of persons with disabilities to an accessible transportation system and the CTA's contributions to achieving a barrier-free Canada by 2040.

We have a strong regulatory foundation in Canada, and there is no doubt that over the past decades the accessibility of the transportation system has improved. We also recognize that a lot remains to be done and that to make real progress we must all work together and most importantly directly with persons with disabilities.

Earlier this month, on May 9^th, I participated in the National Aviation Accessibility Summit, which was co-chaired by The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, and the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Kamal Khera, and brought together representatives from the communities of persons with disabilities, industry, and government to reflect on the accessibility of the air transportation system. I also participated on May 22^nd in a panel during the International Civil Aviation Organization's Facilitation 2024 Global Summit that focussed on accessibility across national borders. These were great opportunities to think collaboratively about building an ambitious, but achievable path forward, that will deliver concrete results, and I invite you to read my remarks from both events.

Accessibility is a human right and should be a priority and a commitment for everyone.

France Pégeot
Chair & CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency