Canada’s Chief Accessibility Officer Releases Commentary on Accessible Air Travel
News release
December 17, 2025 — Gatineau, QC — Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer
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.
Quotes
“It’s clear that accessible air travel is an issue whose time has come. We have to make sure progress is real and ongoing. This commentary is part of my commitment to keeping the issue top of mind, raising public awareness, and advocating for change. I expect to see others follow suit.”
- Stephanie Cadieux, Chief Accessibility Officer
Quick facts
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The role of Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO) was created by the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), which came into force in 2019
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As an independent adviser to the Minister responsible for the ACA, the CAO provides advice on wide-ranging accessibility issues, monitors and report on progress made under the ACA, and provides annual reports detailing outcomes achieved, as well as systemic and emerging accessibility issues
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The Office of the CAO serves as a trusted source of information on accessibility, and supports the CAO in promoting a positive and productive dialogue between the federal government, disability stakeholders, national and international organizations
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Contacts
Jennifer Houle
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer
506-238-3677
Jennifer.jh.houle@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer
EDSC.OCAO.MEDIA-BDPA.MEDIA.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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