February 6, 2019
ARCH Disability Law Centre
Briefing Note 1: Bill C-81 – Accessible Canada Act
Timelines

How does Bill C-81 currently address this issue? 
The Bill does not set dates or timelines for achieving its purpose of a Canada without barriers, nor does it set dates or timelines for implementing key requirements such as making accessibility standards and regulations. 

Why is this concerning?
Timelines are essential to ensure that key accessibility measures are taken. Timelines create goals for the Government of Canada and federal organizations to meet. They are also needed so that progress on improving accessibility can be measured. 

How should Bill C-81 be changed? 
•	It must include timelines for developing accessibility standards in employment, the built environment, information and communication technologies, communication, the procurement of goods, services and facilities, the design and delivery of programs and services, and transportation. 
•	It must include timelines for passing these accessibility standards into law.
•	It must include timelines for reviewing and updating accessibility standards in the future. 
•	It must include timelines for establishing the infrastructure necessary to implement the Bill, including the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization (CASDO).
•	It must include a period of time for achieving its purpose of a Canada without barriers.
Additional Advocacy Points:
Members of government have said that timelines are not necessary because making Canada accessible is not static – it doesn’t end at a certain date. 

Our response is that setting timelines doesn’t mean that accessibility ends on that date. Accessibility is an ongoing exercise – Canada must continuously adapt to new technologies, advancements in design and strive for ever-improving accessibility. However, setting timelines is important for accountability – it is one way of making sure that key accessibility measures actually happen. We are asking that Bill C-81 be changed to recognize that Canada’s commitment to accessibility is ongoing, and that timelines are important tools for helping us meet accessibility goals. 

We also point out that setting timelines doesn’t mean that the timeline can’t be changed when needed. Bill C-81 already requires that after it becomes law, it will be reviewed and changed as needed. During this review, recommendations for changing timelines can be made as needed.