Introduction

The Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society, established in 1994, provides its members with general support from the pre- dog guide stage to the post- retirement stage. This support includes:

• the provision of information regarding training programs and philosophies of "all" dog guide schools in North America
• the sharing of personal experiences of both the difficulties and the joys associated with caring for, and being partnered with a dog guide
• the provision of alternate care for a member's dog guide when a member is hospitalized or is otherwise unable to work his or her dog guide, and
• support when one of our members faces the injury, death, or retirement of their dog guide.
• The Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society provides funds for veterinary care and treatment, for costs associated with euthanasia of the member's dog guide when required, and for burial and cremation fees.

Members of the Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society are actively involved in public speaking at schools, shopping malls, service clubs, universities and other organizations as requested, and are actively sought out as speakers at Conventions, Conferences and Seminars.

In 1995 the Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society sponsored the first ever Dog Guide Awareness Conference. Over 100 people, from across North America were in attendance. Another Conference is planned for the Spring of 2000. The City of Victoria, in partnership with the Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society recognizes the third week of April as "Dog Guide Awareness Week".

The Vancouver Island Dog Guide Society recognizes that through public awareness and education the attitude of the public towards dog guides and persons who are blind may change.

The Blind Person's Rights Act, Chapter B-6, Sections 5(1) through 5(8), Revised Statutes 1980

Alberta law guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations. It is unlawful discrimination for anyone to deny a dog guide user access to or use of a public accommodation on the grounds of the dog guide's presence. The dog guide user should be prepared to present for inspection an identification card issued by either the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or by the dog guide school from which the dog was obtained.

A dog guide user has a legally protected right to equal housing accommodations. A landlord may not insist on any terms or conditions in regard to the dog guide which in any way discriminate against the dog guide's presence. The landlord, however, is not required in any way to modify the premises.

Public accommodations include places or facilities to which the public is invited. Generally, these include stores, restaurants, hotels, and public conveyances, as well as facilities and services of a similar nature.

Housing accommodation is defined as a self-contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Anyone who interferes with the above enumerated rights is guilty of an offense and upon conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.

Guide Animal Act, 1990, Bill 47

British Columbia statutory law guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog guide's presence, but the dog may not occupy a seat on a public conveyance and the dog must be under proper control at all times through a leash or harness.

The Minister of Consumer Services is empowered to issue a special identification card to dog guide users. However, the cards issued by dog guide schools to their graduates also are evidence of the special training the dogs have received.

Public accommodations include restaurants, lodging places, public conveyances, and all other places which serve and accommodate the general public.

No one may discriminate against a blind person with a dog guide in regard to rental housing, except where it involves sharing the living area with another family.

Violation: Anyone who unlawfully discriminates against the rights of a dog guide user is guilty of an offense and upon conviction may be punished by a fine not to exceed $200.

Manitoba Human Rights Code

Manitoba has broad scope legislation centering on discrimination. Specific interpretation rests with the provincial Human Rights Commission.

Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 1979 - Broad scope legislation centering on discrimination. Specific interpretation rests with the provincial Human Rights Commission.

Saskatchewan law guarantees a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in public accommodations and facilities. The dog guide user cannot be required to muzzle the dog guide. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog's presence. A dog guide user also has a legally protected right to equal housing accommodations. No special conditions or terms can be imposed because of the dog guide.

Public accommodations and facilities include restaurants, hotels, stores, and public conveyances, as well as other services and facilities to which the public generally is invited.

Housing accommodation is described by the statutes as a self-contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Any person who interferes with the rights enumerated above is guilty of an offense and upon conviction is subject to a fine not to exceed $500. The fine for a convicted corporation is not to exceed $1,000.

The Blind Person's Rights Act (Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1980) - Chapter 44; Regulation 83 (Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1980)

Ontario laws guarantee a blind person the legal right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and facilities. No extra charge can be levied because of the dog guide's presence. A dog guide user also is guaranteed the right to equal housing accommodations, and no special terms or conditions can be imposed because of the dog's presence. The Attorney General is authorized to issue to dog guide users a special identification card which is prima facie evidence that a dog has been specially trained. The identification cards issued by dog guide schools to their graduates also are appropriate evidence of such training.

Public accommodations and facilities include stores, restaurants, taverns, hotels, and common carriers such as trains, buses, and taxis, and other conveyances, as well as any other place or facility to which the public customarily is invited.

Housing accommodations cover any self-contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Anyone who interferes with the above rights is guilty of an offense and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.

Human Rights Act - 1978 - Bill 9 - amending Human Rights and Freedoms Charter

Human rights legislation includes sweeping prohibitions against discrimination on the grounds of physical disability. Physically handicapped persons are guaranteed the enjoyment of the same rights as all citizens. The definition of handicapped includes the unrestricted right of a physically handicapped person to use prosthetic aids. Under the Quebec Health Insurance Act, dog guides are included within the concept of a prosthetic aid.

Consequently, dog guide users accompanied by their dog guides appear to have universal access to the social, economic and educational institutions available throughout the province.

Government officials with the authority to protect human rights are available to assist the physically handicapped in enforcing the right to non-discrimination. Substantial fines are part of the available enforcement procedures.

Penalties: Fines of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or a fine of not more than $5,000 in the case of a corporation.

The Human Rights Act of New Brunswick - 1976 (as amended and consolidated in 1985) - Chapter 31; New Brunswick Regulation 84-283 under the Health Act of 1984

New Brunswick Human Rights legislation extends the prohibition against discrimination to include physical disabilities. As defined in the statute, these include the right to be accompanied by a dog guide; consequently, dog guide users have a legal right to equal employment, equal housing accommodations, and equal access to and the use of all public accommodations, services, and facilities to which the public customarily is invited.

The Health Act of 1984 also exempts dog guides from prohibitions against live animals in areas where food is served, and with the agreement of the district medical health officer, a dog guide may also be present in areas where food is prepared.

Equal employment covers all employees as well as membership in professional or trade organizations.

Housing accommodations include the rental of residential and commercial properties, as well as the purchase of real estate.

Public accommodations and facilities include stores, restaurants, hotels, public conveyances, and other places to which the public customarily is admitted.

Violation: Enforcement is centered in the Human Rights Commission.

The Blind Persons' Rights Act of 1981 - Chapter 60

Newfoundland statutory law guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all places of public accommodation. A dog guide user has a legally protected right to equal housing accommodations, and no special conditions or terms can be imposed because of the dog guide.

Public accommodations and facilities include stores, restaurants, hotels, and common carriers such as trains, buses, and taxis, and other conveyances, as well as other services and facilities to which the public customarily is admitted.

Housing accommodations include any commercial unit or self-contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Any person who interferes with the rights enumerated in this Act is guilty of

an offense and liable on summary conviction, if an individual, to a fine of not more than $500, or to imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both; if a body corporate, to a fine of not more than $1,000, or to imprisonment for not more than 60 days, or both.

Blind Persons' Rights Act - enacted 5/77, Chapter 4, Section 1

Nova Scotia law guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations and facilities. No extra charge can be levied because of the presence of the dog guide. A dog guide user also has a right to equal housing accommodations, but the landlord is not required to make any modifications.

Public accommodations include restaurants, hotels, public conveyances, and other places to which the public customarily is admitted.

Housing accommodations include the rental of any self-contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Anyone who interferes with the rights enumerated above is guilty of an offense and punishable under Nova Scotia law.

No legislation.

As of August 14, 1987, Yukon did not have any dog guide legislation, except that the Public Health Ordinance exempts dog guides from the prohibition that bans animals from an area where food is prepared.