Accessibility Standards Canada and the Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing collaborate on accessible building codes and standards & More News Here

From the Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/accessibility-standards-canada/news/2022/05/accessibility-standards-canada-and-the-ministry-of-attorney-general-and-responsible-for-housing-collaborate-on-accessible-building-codes-and-standards.html

Accessibility Standards Canada and British Columbia’s Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to optimize efforts and assets devoted to making a barrier-free Canada. This MOU acknowledges a proper settlement to share info and harmonize accessibility standards associated to building codes wherever potential.

The MOU can also be anticipated to help, foster, and improve the capacity of each events to collaborate and coordinate efforts in the space of building codes and standards. The purpose is an inclusive, cohesive, and barrier-free British Columbia and Canada.

Harmonizing standards throughout federal, provincial, and territorial governments is particularly vital on this space. It will enable for a extra uniform method when accessing buildings and their facilities, together with entrances and washrooms throughout the nation.

Through this MOU, each events conform to:

• establish and coordinate priorities;
• conduct and share analysis merchandise; and
• develop and suggest accessibility standards associated to building codes.

The nationwide harmonization of standards carries advantages for all Canadians:

• It will increase the potential for a cohesive accessibility expertise throughout Canada.
• It ensures that standards replicate the wants of folks residing with disabilities, regardless of jurisdiction.
• It promotes fairness and consistency of accessibility for folks with disabilities as they stay, work, and journey in Canada.

Quotes

“I am proud of our work with the British Columbia’s Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing, as it will lead to better coordination and collaboration. By sharing accessibility best practices, specifically in the area of building codes and standards, the standards we develop will have a greater positive impact on the lives of all Canadians. Harmonizing standards ensures that the way people experience accessibility in Canada is consistent and seamless no matter where they are. We will continue to collaborate with other provinces and territories for the benefit of people living with disabilities, and all Canadians.”

– Philip Rizcallah, Chief Executive Officer, Accessibility Standards Canada 

“The B.C. Government is committed to increasing accessibility to support all people in entering, exiting, and moving safely throughout buildings and public spaces in their communities. This Memorandum of Understanding will ensure coordinated efforts to achieve this goal provincially and nationally as we work to eliminate barriers to accessibility for all people living with disabilities.”

– Dan Coulter, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility, British Columbia

Quick information

• The MOU validates a mutually useful working relationship between Accessibility Standards Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing. It acknowledges their complementary roles referring to accessibility standards and analysis.
• The MOU focuses on creating a building accessibility customary. It will incorporate equity-based technical necessities that British Columbia can use as it really works in direction of its mandate to replace the British Columbia Building Code. Their purpose is to make new buildings extra accessible for all folks.
• Accessibility Standards Canada already has a technical committee working on a mannequin customary for the constructed surroundings. The group goals to publish the draft accessibility customary for public evaluation in the spring of 2023.  
• Where potential, the harmonization of standards seeks to optimize everybody’s particular person and collective targets. Sharing data and greatest practices reduces and eliminates the duplication of assets and efforts to profit all Canadians. 

Associated hyperlinks

Accessibility Standards Canada: https://accessible.canada.ca/

B.C. Government’s public session on accessibility: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/impact/accessibility_and_the_bc_building_code_engagement_results/

British Columbia Building Code: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/construction-industry/building-codes-standards/accessibility