Accessible Canada Act: Understanding Its Scope and Purpose

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Accessible Canada Act: Understanding Its Scope and Purpose

Posted March 20, 2025

AudioEye

Posted March 20, 2025

Stylized web browser with a magnifying glass over the Canadian symbol. The browser is set against a dark red background with a map of Canada.
Stylized web browser with a magnifying glass over the Canadian symbol. The browser is set against a dark red background with a map of Canada.

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The Accessible Canada Act aims to create a barrier-free Canada by 2040, ensuring individuals with disabilities have full and equal access to physical and online spaces. Below, you’ll learn what the ACA is, who needs to comply, and the penalties for non-compliance. You’ll also see how the ACA and digital accessibility regulations intersect.

More than 8 million Canadians aged 15 years and over have a disability — that’s roughly 22% of the country’s population. For these millions of individuals, participating in society can be challenging. Whether it’s limitations in physical environments or online accessibility barriers, participating in everyday society can be difficult for Canadians with disabilities. 


The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was created to break down those barriers, giving individuals with disabilities full and equal access to both physical and online spaces. Below, you’ll learn what the ACA is, who it applies to, and other accessibility regulations in Canada that are enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility Regulations and Canada: What is the Accessible Canada Act?

Passed in 2019, the overarching goal of the ACA is to create a barrier-free Canada on or before January 1, 2040. The act aims to identify and remove existing accessibility barriers and prevent new ones from forming in seven key areas:

  • Employment
  • Physical locations
  • Information and communication technologies (ICT) and communication in forms other than (ICT)
  • The procurement of goods, services, and facilities
  • The design and delivery of programs and services
  • Transportation
  • Other designated areas, as determined by regulating bodies


The ACA originated from Bill C-81, initially introduced in June 2018 by the Honourable Kristy Duncan, former Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities. The bill was created in response to ongoing concerns from disability advocacy groups regarding the lack of federal accessibility legislation. Bill C-81 eventually grew into the ACA after extensive consultation and legislative review, as well as feedback from disability organizations, businesses, and policymakers.

Who Needs to Comply with the Accessible Canada Act?

Similar to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ACA applies primarily to organizations under federal jurisdiction, including:

  • Government agencies at the federal level
  • Crown operations (e.g., Canada Post, CBC)
  • Banks and financial institutions under federal regulation
  • Telecommunication companies (e.g., internet and phone service providers)
  • Broadcasting organizations (e.g., radio and television networks)
  • Transportation providers under federal jurisdiction (e.g., airlines, railways, ferries)
  • Parliamentary entities, including the House of Commons and the Senate

While private businesses do not fall under federal regulation, including those that operate only at the provincial or municipal level, these businesses may be subject to provincial accessibility laws. Small federally regulated businesses and specific entities identified through regulations may also be exempt from ACA compliance. 

Regardless of whether or not your business is required to be ACA-compliant, it’s recommended to increase accessibility in both your online and physical spaces to lower your risk of legal action and potential customer complaints.

Accessible Canada Act: Enforcement and Penalties

Enforcement of the ACA is overseen by several regulatory bodies, each one overseeing compliance with specific organizations or sectors and their individual responsibilities. Below are a few of the regulatory bodies responsible for ACA enforcement:

  • The Accessibility Commissioner: The Accessibility Commissioner is appointed by the Canadian Governor in Council and is responsible for monitoring compliance, investigating complaints, and issuing penalties.
  • The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA): Ensures accessibility compliance in federally regulated transportation services. 
  • The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): Oversees accessibility requirements for broadcasting and telecommunications.
  • The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board (FPSLREB): Handles employment-related accessibility issues within federally regulated sectors.

To ensure Canadian organizations are following the ACA, these regulatory bodies will perform inspections and compliance audits. Should businesses be found to be violating parts of the ACA, these regulatory bodies are responsible for issuing compliance orders and penalties.

Should organizations be found in non-compliance with ACA, they may face penalties, including:

  • Compliance orders, which require organizations to stop activities (including selling) until the business meets ACA requirements.
  • Violation warnings should an organization be suspected of violating the ACA.
  • Issuing violations with monetary penalties.
  • Mandatory compliance agreements require organizations to address violations within a certain time frame.

Monetary penalties for failing to follow the ACA can reach up to $250,000, depending on the severity of non-compliance.

How to File Non-Compliance Complaints

Under the ACA, individuals have the right to file a complaint to the Accessibility Commissioner if they suffered “physical or psychological harm, property damage or economic loss or who have been affected in any other manner as a result of a contravention by a regulated entity.” 

Should an individual or disability advocates encounter accessibility issues that violate the ACA, they can file a formal complaint. The process usually involves:

  1. Identifying the appropriate regulatory body: Complaints should be directed to the agency responsible for overseeing compliance within the relevant industry. For example, general ACA violations should be filed with the Accessibility Commissioner, while transportation-related complaints should go to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
  2. Submitting a complaint: individuals can file complaints online, by mail, or through designated support channels provided by the respective agency.
  3. Investigation process: The regulatory body will review the complaint, gather evidence, and determine whether the organization violates the ACA. 
  4. Enforcement actions: If a violation is confirmed, the organization may be required to take corrective action, face financial penalties, or undergo additional compliance monitoring.
A web browser on top of the Canadian flag with an accessibility icon

Other Accessibility Regulations in Canada

The ACA is just one of many accessibility laws within Canada, all designed to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities and establish accessibility requirements for organizations. Below are a few additional accessibility regulations in Canada.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

The AODA is designed to “improve opportunities for [people] with disabilities” and identify, remove, and prevent barriers to their “full participation in the life of the province.” It contains five standards to enhance accessibility in key areas of daily life, including customer service, information and communications, employment, design of public spaces, and transportation.

Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA)

The AMA establishes accessibility standards in customer service, employment, information and communication, transportation, and the built environment. Each standard includes specific requirements and timelines for organizations to meet these standards. Additionally, to comply with the AMA, organizations must create accessibility plans and remove any barriers to their digital spaces.

Nova Scotia Accessibility Act

Like the ACA, the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act “aims to make Nova Scotia inclusive and barrier-free by 2030.” It currently includes six accessibility standards: goods and services, information and communication, transportation, employment, education, and built environments.

Accessible British Columbia Act

British Columbia’s accessibility legislation focuses on reducing barriers in government services, employment, and digital platforms. The act applies to organizations like school districts, educational institutions, municipalities, health authorities, and other public-sector organizations. The Accessible British Columbia Act also emphasizes public consultation and clear compliance requirements.

Newfoundland and Labrador Accessibility

The Newfoundland and Labrador Accessibility sets accessibility goals across various sectors, including digital accessibility. It mandates organizations to remove barriers in employment, communication, and public services.

A transparent accessibility icon on top of a red maple leaf.

The ACA and Digital Accessibility: Do They Relate?

As mentioned above, the ACA is designed to eliminate accessibility barriers across federally regulated sectors and create a barrier-free Canada by 2040. It’s important to note that while the ACA does apply to online spaces, the act does not explicitly mandate organizations follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in their online spaces.

Think of it this way: the ACA is a legal framework that establishes accessibility regulations for federally regulated organizations in Canada in physical and online spaces. To meet ACA compliance standards in online spaces, organizations can — and should — use WCAG guidelines. Following the accessibility standards outlined in WCAG enables organizations to take a proactive approach to ensuring websites, mobile apps, online documents, and other digital content are accessible and usable by all Canadians, including those with disabilities.


Other accessibility laws, including the AODA, enforce the accessibility standards outlined in WCAG to measure compliance. Future versions of the ACA could align with WCAG standards to further accessibility, but as of the time of this writing, no such announcement has been made.

Stay Compliant with Accessibility Laws in Canada (and Elsewhere) with AudioEye

The ACA has created a strong foundation for breaking down accessibility barriers, helping organizations across Canada take proactive steps towards a barrier-free province. Though ACA compliance is mandatory for federally regulated organizations, enhancing accessibility unlocks numerous opportunities for businesses while minimizing legal risks. 

For organizations looking to meet ACA compliance requirements, particularly in online spaces, AudioEye can help. We take a three-pronged approach to digital accessibility, using AI-driven automation technology, audits with experts from the disability community, and testing through the development process to detect and fix accessibility issues, ensuring websites and digital content are usable for all Canadians. In addition to helping you meet ACA standards, AudioEye also ensures you comply with additional Canadian accessibility laws, including the AODA. 

Ready to eliminate accessibility issues in your digital content? Get started with our free Web Accessibility Scanner, which identifies 30 WCAG violations (more than any tool on the market).

Want more information on how AudioEye can help you enhance accessibility? Schedule a demo to see our Automated Accessibility Platform in action.

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