What Is the Accessible Canada Act?
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA), officially titled “An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada” (S.C. 2019, c. 10), received Royal Assent on July 11, 2019. It is Canada's first national accessibility legislation. The ACA aims to make Canada barrier-free by January 1, 2040.
Unlike provincial laws such as Ontario's AODA, the ACA takes a proactive rather than reactive approach. Covered organizations must publish accessibility plans, report on their progress annually, establish feedback processes for people with disabilities, and work toward removing barriers in seven priority areas: employment; the built environment; information and communication technology; communication (other than ICT); the procurement of goods, services, and facilities; the design and delivery of programs and services; and transportation.
The ACA is administered by Accessibility Standards Canada, the Accessibility Commissioner (within the Canadian Human Rights Commission), and the Canadian Transportation Agency for transport-specific requirements. Regulated organizations must comply with the Accessible Canada Regulations and any sector-specific standards developed under the Act.
Reference: Accessible Canada Act, S.C. 2019, c. 10 — laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Who Must Comply with the ACA
The ACA applies exclusively to federally regulated organizations. Provincial and territorial governments and their regulated industries are not covered. The following sectors must comply:
Banking & Finance
RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, National Bank, Desjardins (federal credit unions)
Telecommunications
Bell, Rogers, Telus, Videotron, SaskTel, CBC/Radio-Canada, other broadcasters
Airlines & Airports
Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Billy Bishop Airport, federal airport authorities
Crown Corporations
Canada Post, VIA Rail, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Export Development Canada
Federal Government
All departments, agencies, and Parliament — canada.ca and all ministerial websites
Interprovincial Transport
Interprovincial bus lines, rail, ferry services regulated by the Canadian Transportation Agency
Not sure if your organization is federally regulated? The Government of Canada ACA overview provides sector-by-sector guidance.
Digital Accessibility Under the ACA
The ACA designates “information and communication technology” as one of its seven priority areas. This explicitly covers websites, mobile applications, and digital content produced or used by covered organizations.
The Government of Canada's Standard on Web Accessibility (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) requires federal government websites to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Accessibility Standards Canada is developing sector-specific standards for other regulated entities, and these are expected to reference WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA as the technical benchmark for digital accessibility.
In practice, organizations subject to the ACA that want to demonstrate genuine progress on digital barriers should work toward WCAG 2.1 AA conformance across all public-facing and internally used digital systems. This includes external websites, customer portals, mobile apps, and digital communications.
Accessibility Plans
First plans published by June 1, 2023. Updated every three years. Plans must describe barriers identified and how the organization intends to remove them, including digital barriers.
Annual Progress Reports
Filed annually between plan updates. First progress reports due June 1, 2024. Next major cycle due in 2026. Reports must measure progress against the plan's commitments.
Feedback Processes
Organizations must establish a process for people to give feedback about accessibility barriers. This feedback mechanism itself must be accessible, including any digital submission method.
Complaints Mechanism
The Accessibility Commissioner can receive complaints about covered entities. Complaint investigations can result in orders, compliance agreements, and administrative monetary penalties up to CAD $250,000.
Penalties Under the ACA
Source: Accessible Canada Act, S.C. 2019, c. 10 — laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
ACA vs. AODA: Key Differences
| Factor | ACA (Federal) | AODA (Ontario) |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal (all provinces and territories) | Ontario only |
| Who is covered | Federally regulated industries (banks, telecoms, airlines, Crown corps, federal govt) | Ontario organizations with 50+ employees; all public sector |
| Web standard | WCAG 2.1 AA (federal govt); sector standards in development | WCAG 2.0 AA (minimum); 2.1 AA best practice |
| Approach | Proactive: publish plans, report progress, receive feedback | Prescriptive: meet specific WCAG level; file compliance report |
| Max penalty | CAD $250,000 per contravention | CAD $100,000/day (corporations) |
| Compliance reports | Annual progress reports; plan updates every 3 years | Compliance report every 3 years (Dec 31 deadline) |
Federally regulated businesses operating in Ontario (e.g., major banks, telecoms) must satisfy both the ACA and AODA. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA satisfies the web accessibility standard under both regimes.
Supporting Your ACA Digital Accessibility Work
Your ACA accessibility plan must identify digital barriers on your websites and digital systems. Your annual progress report must show what you have done to remove them. OnePageAudit supports both phases:
- 1.Barrier identification:Automated WCAG scanning surfaces issues across your public-facing websites that belong in your accessibility plan's digital section.
- 2.Remediation documentation: PDF reports document which violations were found, their severity, and the fix instructions — supporting your internal remediation tracking.
- 3.Progress monitoring: Monthly re-scans allow you to measure improvement over time — the kind of measurable progress your annual ACA progress report should demonstrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Accessible Canada Act?
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA, S.C. 2019, c. 10) received Royal Assent on July 11, 2019. It establishes a proactive framework for identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility across federal jurisdiction, aiming for a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
Who does the ACA apply to?
Federally regulated organizations: the Government of Canada, Parliament, banks, telecoms, broadcasters, airlines, interprovincial transport, Crown corporations, and the Canadian Forces and RCMP. Provincially regulated businesses are not covered by the ACA.
What does the ACA require for websites?
The ACA requires proactive removal of barriers in information and communication technology. The Government of Canada Standard on Web Accessibility references WCAG 2.1 AA. Sector standards being developed by designated accessibility standards organizations are expected to align with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA.
When are ACA progress reports due?
First accessibility plans were due June 1, 2023. First progress reports were due June 1, 2024. Updated plans are published every three years; progress reports are filed annually. The 2026 reporting cycle is the next major compliance milestone.
What are the penalties under the ACA?
Administrative monetary penalties can reach CAD $250,000 for contraventions. The Accessibility Commissioner can receive complaints and take enforcement action. Failure to publish plans or file reports triggers regulatory scrutiny.
What is the difference between AODA and the ACA?
AODA is Ontario law covering Ontario-based organizations with 50+ employees. The ACA is federal law covering federally regulated industries across all of Canada. Many large banks, telecoms, and airlines must comply with both.
Does the ACA apply to my organization?
If you are a bank, telecom, broadcaster, airline, interprovincial transport provider, Crown corporation, or federal government entity, yes. If you are a provincially regulated business operating only in Ontario, AODA applies instead. Consult legal counsel if you are unsure.
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