History of Blind Persons' Rights Act

The Blind Persons' Rights Act was proclaimed in 1980, and was intended to protect the rights of persons who are blind (as defined in the Act) to carry a cane or use a guide dog in public places.

In May 2000, responsibility for the Blind Persons' Rights Act and its regulation, the Guide Dogs Qualifications Regulation, was transferred from Alberta Health and Wellness to Alberta Community Development. In November 2004, the Act and its regulation were transferred to Alberta Seniors and Community Supports.

A public review of the Act began in October 2001. Former Alberta Ombudsman, Harley Johnson, chaired the review. The review was intended to address not only guide dogs, but also assistive dogs used by other disability groups (for example, deaf and hard of hearing, wheelchair-bound individuals or those who suffer from seizures.)

The review included research within the province and comparisons with other jurisdictions, public consultation in the form of province-wide focus groups with representation by stakeholders and individual written submissions from anyone who wanted to provide input. Mr. Johnson submitted the final report on December 31, 2001.

On June 5, 2002, a questionnaire was released to obtain feedback on the report and its recommendations. Feedback from the questionnaire confirmed issues identified by the report, but Albertans generally felt that guide dogs, in comparison with other assistive dogs, are very different in terms of need, requirement, certification and scope, and that they should be addressed separately.

Users of assistive dogs for other purposes continue to be protected by Alberta's human rights legislation, which prohibits discrimination against individuals who are physically disabled.

On February 18, 2004, the Blind Persons' Rights Amendment Act was introduced in the Alberta Legislature. It was debated and passed in the Legislature and received royal assent on March 11, 2004.