EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 to provide that the Minister of Transportation and the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility shall jointly conduct a review of standards for public transportation organizations with respect to the accessibility of existing transit stations and stops. No more than 12 months after these amendments come into force, the Ministers shall submit a report on their findings to the Legislative Assembly.

The Act is also amended to provide that every public transportation organization shall ensure that all stops and shelters are accessible to persons with disabilities, that persons with disabilities can access bus bays in transit stations without having to leave the premises and that that persons with disabilities can access all trains, light-rail transit and streetcars in transit stations.

Bill 82 2023

An Act respecting accessible public transit

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1 The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following section:

Review of standards for public transportation organizations

10 (1)  The Minister of Transportation and the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility shall jointly conduct a review of standards for public transportation organizations with respect to the accessibility of existing transit stations and stops.

Report

(2)  No more than 12 months after the day this section comes into force, the Minister of Transportation and the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility shall prepare a report on their findings and submit the report to the Legislative Assembly.

2 Section 14 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:

Other duties

(5)  Every public transportation organization shall ensure the following:

   1.  That all stops and shelters are accessible to persons with disabilities.

   2.  That persons with disabilities can access bus bays in transit stations without having to leave the premises.

   3.  That persons with disabilities can access all trains, light-rail transit and streetcars in transit stations.

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

4 The short title of this Act is the Enhancing Public Transit Accessibility Act, 2023.