CanadaWhat are my rights as a train passenger with a disability in Canada?
As a train passenger with a disability in Canada, you have the right to accessible transportation services free of undue obstacles, and rail carriers like VIA Rail must provide reasonable accommodations — including for assisting animals — unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
What the Law Says
The Canada Transportation Act sets the foundation for accessibility rights in federal transportation, including passenger rail. It empowers the Canadian Transportation Agency to create rules that remove barriers for people with disabilities.
Under section 67 of the Canada Transportation Act, the Canadian Transportation Agency has the authority to make regulations aimed at eliminating 'undue obstacles' to the mobility of persons with disabilities. This means transportation providers operating under federal jurisdiction — such as VIA Rail — must ensure their services are accessible unless doing so would cause 'undue hardship'.
The law does not list specific requirements in the statute itself, but it gives the Agency the power to develop detailed accessibility standards (e.g., for boarding, seating, communication, and service animals), which are then legally binding on carriers.
Statutory TextCanadian Transportation Agency may make regulations for the purpose of eliminating undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities.
— Canada Transportation Act, s. 67 — Accessibility
What Courts Have Said
The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified how the duty to accommodate applies in rail travel, emphasizing that accommodations must be meaningful and relevant to the individual’s needs.
The Court held that VIA Rail’s failure to ensure all its passenger cars were accessible created an undue obstacle for people with disabilities. It confirmed that accommodations must be reasonable, relevant to the passenger’s actual travel needs (whether for business or pleasure), and include access for assisting animals — and that blanket policies without individualized consideration violate the Act.
What to Do
Contact the train carrier (e.g., VIA Rail) in advance to request accommodations — such as accessible seating, boarding assistance, or space for an assisting animal.
If your request is denied or you experience a barrier, file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) within 60 days.
Keep records of your request, any responses, and details of the incident — these support your CTA complaint.
You may also seek help from disability advocacy organizations or legal aid services that specialize in transportation rights.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.