Today, Stephanie Cadieux, Canada's Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO), released a special, Commentary on progress and challenges in accessible air travel in Canada and beyond.
The Commentary serves as a detailed follow-up to the statement and recommendations made by the CAO at the National Air Accessibility Summit in May 2024, as well as to the June 2025 report issued by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on accessible air transportation in Canada.
The Commentary reflects the CAO's commitment to sharing what she has learned about accessible air travel for the benefit of people with disabilities, the air travel sector, and the public as a whole. Topics discussed include challenges, progress, opportunities, roles and responsibilities, and the complexities faced by the air travel sector.
The Commentary also makes it clear that accessible air travel affects all passengers and remains a high stakes issue requiring decisive action. It includes three further recommendations for key parties, in the areas of data, reporting, and keeping airline passengers well-informed.
While this commentary focuses on air travel, accessibility issues exist across all modes of transportation (marine, rail, bus) and will be addressed in the CAO's upcoming annual report.
