In the 2019 Speech from the Throne, government announced that new legislation will be introduced aimed at removing and preventing accessibility barriers for people with disabilities. The new legislation will look at the design of public spaces, information and communications (which includes customer service standards), service animal certification, public sector procurement, public sector employment and public transportation.
The first phase of engagement is now closed. The initial engagement ran from February 4 to March 31, 2021, and provided an opportunity for Saskatchewan people to share their ideas and suggestions for accessibility legislation. Engagement activities included surveys and opportunities to ask a question or share a vision for a more accessible Saskatchewan. Results will be announced in summer 2021.
The first step in creating legislation is developing an act, which is the foundation of the legislation that sets out key definitions, areas under which regulations can be developed, authority for creating accessibility regulations and standards, enforcement measures, review processes and time frames for implementation.
The second phase of public engagement will focus on accessibility regulations and standards. During this phase, we will be asking for detailed feedback on specific rules and standards to improve accessibility under each of the key areas identified in the act.
Additional Resources
What already exists
- Accessible Canada Act
- The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act (UBAS)
- Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Code and Regulations
- Saskatchewan Disability Strategy
Who to Contact
If you want to ask questions or be notified of future engagement opportunities, e-mail accessiblesk@gov.sk.ca, call 1-877-915-7468 or send mail to Office of Disability Issues, 12th Floor, 1920 Broad Street, Regina, SK, S4P 3V6.