Short title

        1. This Act may be cited as theBlind Persons' Rights Act.

1981 c60 s1

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Definitions

        2. In this Act

             (a)  "blind person" means a person whose sight is impaired to the extent that the person is considered blind for the purposes of the Blind Persons Regulations made under the Blind Persons Act ( Canada );

             (b)  "guide dog" means a dog trained as a guide for a blind person and having the qualifications prescribed by the regulations; and

             (c)  "white cane" means a cane or walking stick the major portion of which is white.

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Application

        3. This Act applies, notwithstanding another Act or regulation to the contrary.

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Right to facilities, etc.

        4. A person shall not

             (a)  deny a blind person the accommodation, services or facilities available in a place to which the public is customarily admitted; or

             (b)  discriminate against a blind person with respect to the accommodation, services or facilities available in a place to which the public is customarily admitted, or the charges for the use of the place,

for the reason only that he or she is a blind person accompanied by a guide dog.

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Right to housing

        5. (1) A person shall not

             (a)  deny to a person occupancy of a commercial unit or a self-contained dwelling unit; or

             (b)  discriminate against a person with respect to a term or condition of occupancy of a commercial unit or a self-contained dwelling unit,

by reason only that that person is blind and keeps or is customarily accompanied by a guide dog.

             (2)  A prohibition in a lease against the keeping of dogs or animals does not apply to a guide dog owned or used by a blind person.

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Prohibited fee

        6. A person shall not charge a fee to a blind person for his or her guide dog in respect of a right of admission to or enjoyment of accommodation services or facilities under section 4 or in respect of a right of occupation under section 5.

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Saving

        7. Nothing in this Act grants a right to a blind person to require a service, facility or accommodation in respect of his or her guide dog, other than

             (a)  the right to be accompanied by the guide dog; or

             (b)  the right of the blind person to have the guide dog live with him or her in a dwelling unit.

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Use of white cane

        8. A person other than a blind person shall not carry or use a white cane in a public thoroughfare, public conveyance or public place.

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Regulations

        9. The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make regulations to give effect to the purpose of this Act, and may make regulations prescribing qualifications for guide dogs.

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Offence

     10. A person who contravenes this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction

             (a)  in the case of an individual, to a fine of not more than $500 or to imprisonment for not more than 30 days or to both a fine and imprisonment; and

             (b)  in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 60 days or to both a fine and imprisonment.

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Crown bound

     11. This Act binds the Crown.

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ŠEarl G. Tucker, Queen's Printer