Ontario strengthens enforcement of guide dog handler’s rights

TORONTO, ON, June 23, 2026 — The Government of Ontario has amended a Regulation under the Provincial Offences Act (Ontario Regulation 950) to now allow police officers to issue tickets when someone denies service to a person accompanied by a guide dog, providing a more immediate enforcement response for guide dog handlers who experience discrimination. View the amendments.

The regulatory amendment, introduced in the Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026, strengthens enforcement of the Blind Persons’ Rights Act (BPRA), by giving police the authority to issue tickets on the spot with a set fine of $500 when a person’s rights are violated. While officers can now issue tickets, they still may still choose to proceed by way of the original enforcement process depending on the severity of the incident.

“We applaud the Government of Ontario for making this amendment and, in doing so, reducing the procedural barriers to enforcing the Blind Persons’ Rights Act and creating a faster path to accountability and justice for guide dog handlers when they are denied access or refused service,” said Diane Bergeron, Head of Global Strategies & Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, CNIB. “This change will strengthen protections for guide dog handlers across Ontario and help ensure their rights are respected in practice, not just in law.”

To make sure the new regulatory amendments and enforcement provisions are understood and applied by police officers, CNIB is sharing information about the changes with police services across Ontario so they can respond appropriately to reports of access refusals involving guide dog handlers.

Under the Blind Persons’ Rights Act (BPRA), it’s an offence to deny a person who is blind and accompanied by a guide dog access to places, accommodations, or services that are normally available to the public. This includes places like restaurants, hotels, stories and taxi or rideshare services. 

Before this regulatory change, police officers could not immediately lay a charge under the BPRA when a guide dog handler reported being denied access. Instead, officers had to submit paperwork and obtain approval from a provincial judge or justice of the peace to proceed with enforcement.

Advocates and guide dog handlers have argued that the process was time-consuming, administratively burdensome, and created unnecessary delays in enforcing the rights protected by the BPRA, prolonging an already frustrating experience for guide dog handlers whose rights have been violated.  

CNIB has advocated alongside members of the community for enforcement reforms, bringing the issue to the attention of the provincial government and police services across Ontario.

About CNIB
Founded in 1918, CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Our work is powered by a network of volunteers, donors, and partners from coast to coast to coast. To learn more about our work and impact, visit cnib.ca.