New rules aimed at making travel within Canada safer and more accessible for people with disabilities took effect yesterday. While some of the new regulations have been postponed until next year as a result of COVID-19, the rest apply immediately and will be enforceable with fines of up to $250,000

The Canadian Transportation Agency says the package of regulations now make a range of accessibility regulations mandatory for major transport providers that allow people to travel between provinces by air, boat, bus or train.

The wide-ranging regulations address several issues disabled travellers say they’ve been wrestling with for years.

The agency says it has now barred major carriers from charging additional fares for those who need an extra seat, established buffer zones for those with allergies, set firm definitions for service animals, and laid out new accessibility rules on everything from communication to curbside assistance at travel hubs.

But disability rights advocates say major gaps remain, noting the new rules don’t cover international travel or apply to small transportation providers.

They say other long-standing issues, such as measures that could prevent expensive wheelchairs and other mobility aids from being damaged in transit, are also not in place.

The agency says it’s looking at ways to address those issues in the future.