Canada has one of the most mature digital accessibility legal frameworks in the world. AODA has been enforced in Ontario for over a decade. The Accessible Canada Act (2019) extends federal obligations to banks, telecoms, airlines, and crown corporations. Compliance reports are public. Enforcement is active.
AODA — Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Accessible Canada Act (ACA) — Federal Obligation
WCAG 2.0 / 2.1 / 2.2 — Technical Standards
CRTC Accessibility Requirements (Broadcast & Telecom)
Independent Audit-Led Institution
Regulator-Ready Compliance Documentation
Canada's accessibility obligations work at two levels. AODA is Ontario's provincial law — it applies to all organisations with employees in Ontario, regardless of sector. The Accessible Canada Act is federal law — it applies to federally regulated organisations (banks, telecoms, airlines, railways, crown corporations) across all provinces. Many large organisations face obligations under both.
AODA compliance reports are filed with the Ontario government every three years and are publicly accessible. Organisations that fail to file or file inaccurate reports face enforcement action and public naming. Under the ACA, the Accessibility Commissioner can investigate and issue binding orders. The Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial human rights codes provide additional legal exposure channels.
AODA, ACA, or both — we identify which frameworks apply and produce the evidence your compliance report and accessibility plan require.
AODA's Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) — specifically the Information and Communications standard — requires that public-facing websites and web content conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA for organisations with 50 or more employees. On-demand accessible formats must be provided for documents and information.
Organisations with 20 or more employees must file accessibility compliance reports every three years. These are publicly accessible. Failure to file, or filing without genuine compliance backing, creates enforcement exposure and reputational risk — compliance reports are increasingly reviewed by procurement teams, investors, and enterprise clients.
Filing your triennial AODA report? An independent audit gives you documented evidence — and a report that holds up if reviewed.
The Accessible Canada Act (2019) aims to make Canada barrier-free by January 1, 2040. It requires federally regulated organisations to proactively identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers in their digital services and ICT infrastructure — not just respond to complaints.
The CRTC has issued accessibility regulations specifically for broadcasting and telecommunications companies requiring WCAG 2.1 AA for customer-facing digital platforms and mobile applications.
ACA requires proactive barrier identification — not just complaint response. An independent audit is the most defensible way to document your barrier assessment.
| Framework | WCAG Version | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| AODA IASR | WCAG 2.0 AA minimum | Ontario organisations — 50+ employees |
| Accessible Canada Act | WCAG 2.1 AA | Federally regulated organisations |
| CRTC Regulations | WCAG 2.1 AA | Broadcasters and telecoms |
| Accord Audit Standard | WCAG 2.2 AA (backward compatible) | All engagements |
In addition to AODA and ACA, inaccessible digital services can be challenged under:
Canadian Human Rights Act — federal jurisdiction organisations
Ontario Human Rights Code — Ontario-based complainants
BC Human Rights Code, Alberta Human Rights Act, and other provincial codes
Human rights complaints can result in remediation orders, public disclosure, and monetary compensation — creating exposure channels that operate independently of AODA and ACA enforcement.
AODA compliance reports are public. ACA obligations are active. One consolidated audit covers both — and gives you the documented evidence each framework requires.
