Does my business website need to be accessible in Canada?
Short answerIt depends on where you operate and what kind of organization you are. Ontario’s AODA sets website requirements for many organizations there. Federally regulated businesses fall under the Accessible Canada Act. Several other provinces have accessibility laws with standards still developing. Even where nothing is mandated yet, building to WCAG AA is the sensible standard.
Not sure how accessible your site is?
Send me the link. I’ll check it against the WCAG AA basics and send a plain list of gaps. Not legal advice, just the facts.
The longer answer
Ontario: the AODA
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is the most concrete website rule in Canada. Its information and communications standard requires designated public sector organizations, and private and non-profit organizations with 50 or more employees in Ontario, to make new and significantly refreshed public websites conform to WCAG 2.0 Level AA (since 2021), with exceptions for live captions and pre-recorded audio description. Smaller organizations have other AODA duties, such as customer service standards, but not this website rule.
It’s Ontario law, so it applies to organizations operating in Ontario. If you’re based elsewhere but have staff or operations there, it may apply to that part of your business.
Federal and other provinces
The Accessible Canada Act applies to the federal government and federally regulated industries, such as banking, telecommunications, broadcasting and interprovincial transport. It requires accessibility plans, feedback processes and progress reports rather than a specific website rule for most businesses, and most Alberta small businesses aren’t covered. Several provinces, including Manitoba, Nova Scotia and British Columbia, have passed their own accessibility laws, with standards being developed and phased in over time.
Alberta does not currently have a provincial accessibility law that sets website standards for private businesses, as far as I’m aware. Human rights law, such as the Alberta Human Rights Act, still prohibits disability discrimination in services, and that may extend to services offered online, which is part of why many organizations treat accessibility as a baseline regardless.
Why it’s worth doing anyway
Expectations around accessibility are growing. Meanwhile, many Canadians live with a disability, and many more have temporary or situational limits: a broken wrist, glare on a phone screen, ageing eyes. An accessible site serves all of them, and the work overlaps heavily with good design and SEO. Retrofitting later costs more than building it in. The practical accessibility guide covers where to start.
Get advice for your situation
This page is a general overview, not legal advice, and requirements change. If you’re in a regulated industry, operate in Ontario at scale, or have received a complaint, check with a lawyer who handles accessibility compliance for your situation.
What I’d do
Nick Lovett, founder of Tavro
I build every site to WCAG 2.2 AA whether or not the client is legally required to, because it costs little when done from the start and it makes the site better for everyone. For a Calgary business, the law may not demand it today. I’d still treat it as part of building properly.
Follow-up questions
AODA is Ontario legislation. Whether it applies to a business based elsewhere that serves Ontario customers depends on the circumstances.
AODA references WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Versions 2.1 and 2.2 build on 2.0 and add more criteria (2.2 retired one obsolete parsing check), so building to 2.2 AA generally covers it.
It is possible, including under human rights law, and businesses selling into the US may face some ADA exposure. The details depend on your situation.
Keep reading
- nick@tavro.ca
- 587-439-9994
- Calgary, Alberta