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Legal Citations and References for Canadian Service Dog Laws

Comprehensive Reference with Statutes, Regulations & Case Law

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Canadian Human Rights Act, RSC 1985, c H-6

Section 3(1) - Prohibited grounds of discrimination include disability

Accessible Canada Act, SC 2019, c 10

Section 5 - Purpose to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility

Canadian Transportation Agency

Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations, SOR/2019-244 Section 63 - Service dog definition for air travel

ONTARIO

Ontario Human Rights Code, RSO 1990, c H.19

Section 10(1) - Definition of Disability

"Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device"

Section 1 - Services

Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of disability

Section 17 - Accommodation and Undue Hardship

The right under section 1 is not infringed if the special needs of the person cannot be accommodated without undue hardship

Official Source: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h19

Key Ontario Tribunal Cases

Allarie v. Rouble, 2010 HRTO 61 (CanLII)

  • Established that "there is nothing in the Code which limits the definition of a service animal to one which is trained or certified by a recognized organization"
  • Clarified that it is not unreasonable for service providers to ask for identification or medical documentation where it is not immediately obvious the animal is supporting disability-related needs
  • Case Law Source: https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onhrt/doc/2010/2010hrto61/2010hrto61.html

Robinson-Cooke v. Ontario, 2023 HRTO (Unreported)

  • Ruled it was discriminatory to deny a benefit solely due to lack of training from an accredited organization
  • Reinforced that formal certification is not required under human rights law

Leach v. Ontario (Tribunal decision)

  • Ruled against a claimant who failed to prove clear connection between their animal and disability
  • Confirmed that functionality—not formal training—is the legal test

Robdrup v. J. Werner Property Management (HRTO)

  • Accepted that a dog without formal training could still be a personal support animal if it clearly supported the applicant's disability-related needs

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), SO 2005, c 11

Ontario Regulation 191/11 - Integrated Accessibility Standards Section 80.45(3) - Definition of "guide dog"

"means a guide dog as defined in section 1 of the Blind Persons' Rights Act"

Section 80.45(4) - Definition of "service animal"

"an animal is a service animal for a person with a disability if: (a) the animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person's disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or (b) the person provides documentation from one of the following regulated health professionals confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability:"

Listed Health Professionals (Section 80.45(4)(b)):

  • Member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Nurses of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario
  • Member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario

Official Source: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/110191

Blind Persons' Rights Act, RSO 1990, c B.7

Section 1(1) - Definitions

"guide dog" means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations

Section 3(1) - Right of Access

"No person shall deny to any person the accommodation, services or facilities available in any place to which the public is customarily admitted for the reason that the person is a blind person accompanied by a guide dog"

Official Source: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90b07

Health Promotion and Protection Act, RSO 1990, c H.7

Ontario Regulation 562 - Food Premises Service Dog Exception to Animal Prohibition

Service dogs may enter dining areas of restaurants but are prohibited from areas where food is manufactured or prepared for public consumption Service dog defined as one where it is "readily apparent to an average person that the dog functions as a service dog" or person provides letter from physician or nurse

Official Source: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900562

Ontario Human Rights Commission Policy Guidance

Policy and Guidelines on Disability and the Duty to Accommodate (2016) Section on Service Animals for Psychiatric Disabilities:

"Service animals for people with psychiatric disabilities or addictions do not have to be trained or certified by a recognized disability-related organization. However, where it is not immediately obvious that the animal is performing this service, a person must be able to show evidence (such as medical evidence, or from a similar service provider) that they have a disability and that the animal assists with their disability-related needs."

Official Source: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-and-guidelines-disability-and-duty-accommodate

Ontario Education - Service Animals in Schools

Policy/Program Memorandum 163 (PPM 163)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, SBC 2015, c 17

Section 1 - Definitions

"guide dog team" means a blind person and a guide dog that are certified as a guide dog team
"service dog team" means a person with a disability and a service dog that are certified as a service dog team

Section 1.1 - Relationship to Human Rights Code

"For certainty, nothing in this Act, nor anything done under this Act, abrogates or derogates from the Human Rights Code"

Section 2(1) - Right of Entry and Use

"A guide dog team, service dog team or dog-in-training team may, in the same manner as would an individual who is not a member of any of those teams, enter and use any place, accommodation, building or conveyance to which the public is invited or has access"

Section 2(2)(a) - Prohibition on Additional Fees

No person may "charge a fee, in respect of the exercise of the right of entry and use specified in subsection (1), for the dog that is a member of a guide dog team, service dog team or dog-in-training team"

Section 6.1(1) - Deemed Certification for ADI/IGDF Teams

"A blind person and a dog are deemed to be certified as a guide dog team if the person holds a valid identification card issued to the team by an accredited or recognized training school"

Official Act Source: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15017

Guide Dog and Service Dog Regulation, BC Reg 223/2015

Section 1 - Definitions of "accredited or recognized training school"

Schools accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)

Section 4 - Certification Requirements

Teams can be certified through: (a) Completion of training at ADI/IGDF accredited school, OR (b) Passing public safety assessment administered by approved organization

Official Regulation Source: https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/laws/regu/bc-reg-223-2015/latest/

BC Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c 210

Section 8 - Discrimination in accommodation, service and facility

Prohibits discrimination based on disability in accommodation, services, and facilities

Note: The BC Human Rights Code provides protection regardless of whether certification under GDSDA is obtained. Certification is voluntary but provides additional statutory protections.

Official Source: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/00_96210_01

ALBERTA

Service Dogs Act, SA 2007, c S-7.5

Section 1 - Definitions

(a) "disabled person" means an individual who has any degree of disability except blindness or visual impairment and is dependent upon a service dog
(b) "service dog" means a dog trained as a guide for a disabled person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations

Section 2(1) - Paramountcy

"This Act applies notwithstanding any other Act or any regulation, bylaw or rule made under that Act"

Section 3(1) - Discriminatory Practices Prohibited - Public Access

"No person, directly or indirectly, alone or with another, by himself or herself or by the interposition of another, shall
(a) deny to any person the accommodation, services or facilities available in any place to which the public is customarily admitted, or
(b) discriminate against any person with respect to the accommodation, services or facilities available in any place to which the public is customarily admitted, or the charges for the use of them,
for the reason that the person is a disabled person accompanied by a service dog or a certified dog-trainer accompanied by a dog in training"

Section 3(2) - Discriminatory Practices Prohibited - Housing

Prohibits denying housing or discriminating regarding terms of occupancy because person keeps or is customarily accompanied by a service dog

Section 4(1) - Minister may issue identification cards

"The Minister may issue to a disabled person an identification card identifying the disabled person and that person's service dog"

Section 4(2) - Identification as Proof

"An identification card issued under subsection (1) is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the disabled person and that person's service dog identified in it are qualified for the purposes of this Act"

Section 6 - Offences and Penalties

(1) Contravention of section 3: fine not exceeding $3,000
(2) Misrepresentation as disabled person: fine not exceeding $300

Official Source: https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/sa-2007-c-s-7.5/latest/

Note: Alberta also has the Blind Persons' Rights Act, RSA 2000, c B-3 which provides separate protections for guide dogs for blind persons.

Alberta Human Rights Act, RSA 2000, c A-25.5

Section 4 - Discrimination in provision of services

Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability

Section 44(1) - Protection for service dog users

Includes "physical reliance on a guide dog, service dog" within definition of physical disability

Note: Alberta's Human Rights Act references service dogs trained under the Service Dogs Act - certification from approved organizations required for full protection

Official Source: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-human-rights-act

Service Dog Qualifications Regulation, Alta Reg 197/2008

Prescribes qualifications for service dogs and approved training organizations

  • Dogs must be trained by ADI or IGDF accredited organizations OR organizations approved by Alberta Government
  • Requires government-issued identification card

QUEBEC

Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, CQLR c C-12

Section 10 - Discrimination prohibited

"Every person has a right to full and equal recognition and exercise of his human rights and freedoms, without distinction, exclusion or preference based on...handicap or the use of any means to palliate a handicap"

Official Source: https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/document/cs/C-12

Note: Quebec does not have specific service dog legislation; protections derive from human rights obligations and the concept of reasonable accommodation for disability.

NOVA SCOTIA

Service Dog Act, SNS 2012, c 2

Section 3(1) - Right of Access

"A person with a disability and a certified service dog may, as of right and in the same manner as a person who is not a person with a disability, enter into and use any place, accommodation or conveyance to which the public is admitted or has access"

Section 3(4) - Prohibition on Additional Fees

"No person shall charge a fee for a certified service dog in relation to the right conferred by subsection (1)"

Section 5 - Certification Process

Service Dog Advisory Board oversees certification Dogs can be trained by accredited schools OR owner-trained and tested

Official Source: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/service%20dog.pdf

Note: Nova Scotia also has the Blind Persons' Rights Act, RSNS 1989, c 43 for guide dogs.

MANITOBA

The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, CCSM c A1.7

Section 12 - Service Animals

Addresses accommodation of service animals under accessibility standards

The Customer Service Standard Regulation, Man Reg 171/2015 Section 6 - Service animals

Persons with disabilities accompanied by service animals must be permitted to enter premises with the animal

Official Source: https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/a001-7e.php

The Human Rights Code, CCSM c H175

Section 9 - Discrimination in services prohibited

Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability

NEW BRUNSWICK

Human Rights Act, RSNB 2011, c 171

Section 5(1) - Accommodation, services and facilities

Prohibits denial of accommodation, services or facilities because of mental or physical disability

Note: New Brunswick does not have specific service dog legislation; protections are provided through human rights law and duty to accommodate.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Human Rights Act, RSPEI 1988, c H-12

Section 2 - Discrimination prohibited

Includes physical or mental disability as prohibited ground

Note: PEI relies on human rights protections rather than specific service dog legislation.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Human Rights Act, 2010, SNL 2010, c H-13.1

Section 9 - Discrimination in provision of services

Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability

The Guidedogs and Service Animals Act, SNL 2008, c G-5.1

  • Provides access rights for guide dogs and service animals
  • No certification requirement specified in legislation

SASKATCHEWAN

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, SS 1979, c S-24.1

Section 12 - Prohibition of discrimination in services

Prohibits discrimination based on disability

Note: Saskatchewan does not have specific service dog legislation; protections derive from human rights code.

YUKON

Human Rights Act, RSY 2002, c 116

Section 9 - Discrimination in services

Prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Human Rights Act, SNWT 2002, c 18

Section 5 - Discrimination in services prohibited

Includes disability as protected ground

NUNAVUT

Human Rights Act, SNu 2003, c 12

Section 7 - Services

Prohibits discrimination based on disability in provision of services

COMPLIANCE RESOURCES & COMPLAINT MECHANISMS

Federal Level

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Canadian Transportation Agency

Provincial Human Rights Tribunals

Ontario: Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

British Columbia: BC Human Rights Tribunal

Alberta: Alberta Human Rights Commission

Other Provinces: Each province maintains its own human rights commission or tribunal - see provincial government websites for specific complaint processes.

KEY LEGAL PRINCIPLES ACROSS CANADA

1. Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

  • Service dogs are trained to perform specific disability-related tasks
  • Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide comfort but lack task training
  • ESAs generally DO NOT have the same public access rights as service dogs
  • ESAs may be accommodated in housing under duty to accommodate

2. No National Certification System

  • Canada does not have a single federal certification or registry system
  • Provincial approaches vary:
    • Certification Optional: BC, Alberta, Nova Scotia have voluntary certification programs
    • Human Rights Based: Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba rely on human rights protections
    • No Specific Legislation: Several provinces/territories rely solely on human rights codes

3. Documentation Requirements Vary

  • Ontario: Letter from regulated health professional OR readily apparent
  • BC: Certification voluntary; human rights protections apply regardless
  • Alberta: Government ID recommended as proof under Service Dogs Act
  • Other provinces: Generally rely on medical documentation or observation

4. Undue Hardship Standard

  • Accommodation required unless it causes "undue hardship"
  • Undue hardship considers: cost, health and safety risks, operational impact
  • Standard is HIGH - inconvenience or discomfort is not sufficient
  • Case-by-case assessment required

5. What Businesses Can Ask

Generally Permitted:

  • Is the dog required because of a disability?
  • What disability-related task does the dog perform?
  • Request for documentation from health professional (in some provinces)

Generally Prohibited:

  • What is your specific disability/diagnosis?
  • Proof of dog training or certification (except AB, BC, NS with voluntary programs)
  • Demanding dog demonstrate tasks
  • Medical records beyond letter from health professional

6. When Access Can Be Limited

Only in limited circumstances:

  • Dog is out of control and handler does not take effective action
  • Dog poses direct threat to health/safety
  • Would cause undue hardship
  • Specific areas excluded by law (e.g., sterile surgical areas)

NOT valid reasons:

  • Other customers uncomfortable
  • Allergies (must accommodate both parties)
  • Fear of dogs
  • Breed or size of dog
  • "No pets" policy
  • Previous problems with fake service dogs

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

This website provides general legal information only and is not legal advice. Laws change over time and interpretation varies by jurisdiction and circumstance. Always:

  1. Consult official government sources for current legislation
  2. Contact provincial human rights commissions for authoritative guidance
  3. Seek legal advice from qualified professionals for specific situations
  4. Verify information is current before relying on it

Educational purposes only. Not legal advice.

Document Prepared: February 9, 2026
Sources: Official government websites, CanLII legal database, provincial statutes and regulations
Last Comprehensive Review: February 9, 2026

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