Accessible Transportation
Provincial and Territorial plans for:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland
- Northwest Territories
- Yukon
- Nunavut
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated September 13, 2000: "We would endorse acceptance of Canadian disabled parking permits in Europe via the ECMT reciprocal recognition agreement as it would benefit visiting disabled Canadian tourists." (Kim Conroy, A/Manager, Policy and Programs, Insurance Corporation British Columbia)
Format of the parking permit
Hard copies of two different examples on file. They both display the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
The person to whom a permit is issued shall, while a vehicle is parked in a disabled zone, display the permit in or on the vehicle the person is operating or in which the person is a passenger:
- by suspending it from the rearview mirror;
- by placing it on the dashboard in front of the driver’s position.
It is part of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulation (38.04) to recognise out-of-province parking permits for people with disabilities.
Permanent permits must be renewed every three years, while temporary permits are issued for a maximum of one year.
Status of the current policy
The Office for Disability Issues, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Planning and Governance Division, and the municipalities of British Columbia, are currently in the process of re-evaluating the parking for persons with disabilities in B.C.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Permits are issued by a number of agencies. The largest issuer of permits in B.C. is:
Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC BC)
4445 Norfolk St.
Burnaby, BC
V5G 0A7
Tel: (604) 718-7756
The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) in Victoria is the primary issuing agent for the Capital Regional District.
Disability Resource Centre
1519 Pandora Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8R 6P9
Tel: (250) 595-0044
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Municipalities are responsible for determining permit privileges and restrictions. However, the Motor Vehicle Act and Regulations; the Municipal Act and Regulations; the Offence Act, the Provincial Court Act and the BC Building Code all have regulations related to parking permits for persons with disabilities.
Number of parking permits
90,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated August 24, 2000: "...Government of Alberta agrees to participate in the European Conference of Ministers of Transportation resolution to recognise parking permits for persons with disabilities between Canadian jurisdictions and its 36 member countries." (Brian Marcotte, Executive Director, Infrastructure Policy and Planning, Alberta Infrastructure)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
Permit holders are eligible to utilise areas designated as disabled parking.
Disabled plates or disabled placards from other jurisdictions are recognised.
Permit holder must be unable to walk unassisted for more than 200 meters. Persons with a disability that exceeds 3 months, but has a recovery date in the future, or persons having a temporary disability are given a short-term red and white disabled parking placard. Persons with a disability who expect not to have a recovery date in the future are given a long-term blue and white placard, which must be renewed after 5 years.
Status of the current policy
The Government of Alberta is currently reviewing its policy on parking placards for persons with disabilities. For more information, contact Sara Wong, Policy Advisor, Alberta Infrastructure, (780) 427-9781.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Registry Agent Offices located across the province. The largest issuer of parking permits in Alberta is:
Surface Passenger and Barrier Free Transportation
Policy and Planning Division- Alberta Infrastructure
3rd Floor, Twin Atria Building
4999- 98th Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 2X3
Tel: (780) 427-9781
To obtain the address of the Registry Agent nearest you, call (780) 427-7013.
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Municipalities are responsible for determining permit privileges and restrictions.
Number of parking permits
70,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated October 11, 2000: "This letter confirms Saskatchewan would participate in a reciprocal agreement on parking for people with mobility handicaps as outlined in Appendix 1." (Ron Foord, Manager, Branch & IRP Issuing, Saskatchewan Government Insurance)
Format of the parking permit
See electronic copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a light blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
Privileges common among municipalities include: reciprocity with other provinces, territories and the United States, parking permitted at designated parking stalls identified by signage.
Status of the current policy
The Government of Saskatchewan is currently reviewing its policy on parking placards for persons with disabilities. For more information, contact Mr. Ron Foord, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), (306) 359-0867.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)
2260- 11th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2N7
Tel: (306) 751-1250
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Cities and municipalities are responsible for enacting and enforcing bylaws pertaining to parking for people with disabilities. The Saskatchewan Abilities Council and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) administer the program.
Number of parking permits
30,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated October 31, 2000: "The Registrar of Motor Vehicles has confirmed the Government of Manitoba intends to participate in the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) Agreement on the mutual recognition of parking badges." (Susan Boulter, Director of Licensing, Department of Highways & Government Services)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
"A valid permit authorises the permit holder or a person who is transporting the permit holder to stop, stand or park a motor vehicle in a designated parking space if the permit is used and displayed in accordance with this Act and the regulations." (Section 124.4 of The Highway Traffic Act)
"No person shall display a permit in a motor vehicle parked in a designated parking space when the holder is not transported in the vehicle." (Section 124.5 of the The Highway Traffic Act)
Status of the current policy
No review is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Wheelchair Services, Parking Permit Program
Society of Manitobans with Disabilities
1111 Winnipeg Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
R3E 0F2
Tel: (204) 975-3010
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Municipalities are responsible for the creation of bylaws and ensuring they are enforced by law enforcement agencies.
Number of parking permits
25,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated October 18, 2000: "The Ministry of Transportation supports the Transport Canada proposal to enter into a formal agreement for reciprocity of disabled parking permits between Canadian jurisdictions and the ECMT member countries, however, the ministry has some concerns that it would like to see addressed, either as part of the process of contracting a formal agreement or in conjunction with such an agreement."(James O’Mara, Director, Licensing and Control Branch - Operations, Ministry of Transportation)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
Valid permit holders are entitled to park in specially designated parking spaces and are exempt from certain traffic control and zoning bylaws (governed by local municipal bylaws).
To be recognised as valid for enforcement purposes, the disabled persons parking permit must be displayed on the sun visor or on the dashboard of a vehicle so that the international disabled person symbol, the permit number, and expiring date are visible from the outside of the vehicle.
Status of the current policy
The Government of Ontario is currently reviewing its policy on parking placards for persons with disabilities. For further information on the Disabled Person Parking Permit (DPPP) program or how to obtain an application form, please contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Call Centre at 416-235-2999 or toll free at 1-800-387-3445.
In addition, detail program information and application form are also available on-line at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/app.htm
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Local municipalities are responsible for determining and enforcing local traffic and parking control and zoning bylaws (except for designated parking spaces on provincially owned "crown lands").
Municipal restrictions, regarding stopping, standing and parking in designated disabled parking spaces or zones, are imposed by the local municipalities. For more information related to municipal parking policies, contact:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Local Government Policy Branch
13th Floor
777 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2E5
Canada
Tel: (416) 585-7297
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated September 5, 2000: "In fact, I confirm that Quebec already recognises informally the parking badges from other countries. However, from a legal standpoint, only parking badges from the United States are recognised. Our policy on the recognition of foreign parking badges will be modified when we receive more information on the countries with which we could formalise our mutual recognition practice." (translation, Alain Collerette, Director, Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
The parking badge holder can park the vehicle he/she is using in any parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities. There are no other privileges associated with the parking permit.
To be recognised as valid for enforcement purposes, the parking permit must be displayed on the sun visor only when the vehicle is located in a parking space reserved for people with disabilities.
Status of the current policy
No review is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec
Usagers de la route
CP 19600, 333, boul. Jean-Lesage C-4-12
Québec, Québec, G1K 8J6
Tel: (418) 528-3390
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Local municipalities in co-operation with l’Office des personnes handicapées du Québec and Transports Québec are responsible for determining parking control and zoning bylaws. Municipal or provincial police forces make sure that the bylaws are enforced in their regions.
Number of parking permits
92,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated October 5, 2000: "...and confirm that the Province of New Brunswick would be interested in participating in this reciprocal agreement." (James Morrison, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Public Safety)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
Permit holder can park in any designated space for persons having a disability.
The permit does not exempt the vehicle owner from payment of any parking fees.
The placard shall be displayed by hanging it from the interior rear-view mirror of the vehicle. This placard must be displayed only when actually in use for the specific benefit of the person having a disability. If the person with the disability is not leaving the vehicle, the reserved parking space should not be used while waiting for other passengers even when the proper identification is displayed on your car.
Status of the current policy
No review is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Department of Public Safety, Licensing and Registration
P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Tel: (506) 453-5307
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Local municipalities are responsible for determining parking control and zoning bylaws. Municipal or provincial police forces make sure that the bylaws are enforced in their regions.
Number of parking permits
7,500 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
E-mail dated October 30, 2000: "Please accept this e-mail as Nova Scotia’s intention to participate in the agreement." (Donna Arseneau Estabrooks, Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles)
Format of the parking permit
Hard copies of two different examples on file. They both display the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue or red background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
The permit shall be displayed in a parked vehicle suspended from the rearview mirror inside the vehicle, so as to be in plain view of any person looking through the windshield of the vehicle from the sidewalk or roadside, or, on the dashboard in front of the driver’s position.
The permit is only valid while the vehicle is parked for the purpose of transporting the handicapped person named on the permit, and, is not to be displayed by hanging on the inside rearview mirror while the vehicle is in motion.
Status of the current policy
No review is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations
PO Box 1652
Halifax, NS, B3J 2Z3
Tel: (902) 424-7801
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Each municipality is responsible for their own bylaws. Enforcement of the law is done by the policing body within the city, town or municipality. Regulations governing the issuance of documents for the Disabled Parking Program are made under the Motor Vehicle Act by the Province of Nova Scotia.
Number of parking permits
6,500 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
E-mail dated October 27, 2000: "The PEI Council of the Disabled, as the organisation which administers the parking permit program for this province, agrees to participate in the ECMT agreement." (Barry Schmidl, Executive Director, PEI Council of the Disabled)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
Permits are issued only to allow the use of reserved parking spaces, and must be clearly displayed and hung from the rear view mirror when vehicle is parked in a reserved space.
Person with the disability must leave the vehicle when using the designated parking spaces.
Permits are valid for one year.
Status of the current policy
No review is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
PEI Council of the Disabled
P.O. Box 2128
Charlottetown, PE, C1A 7N7
(902) 892-9149
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
Municipal councils are responsible with regard to parking enforcement. The PEI Council of the Disabled is responsible for issuing parking permits to people with disabilities.
Number of parking permits
3,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
Letter dated October 10, 2000: "Section 5, of the Impaired Mobility Parking Regulations, under the Highway Traffic Act, provides for recognition of parking permits (badges), bearing the international wheelchair logo for special parking privileges in this province. Therefore, Newfoundland will recognise permits from any other country that bears this symbol." (Carolyn Burggraaf, Systems Manager, Department of Government Services and Lands)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
No person other than the holder of a permit or a person accompanying the holder of a permit shall park a motor vehicle in a designated mobility impaired parking space.
A permit shall be displayed in the windshield of a vehicle occupying a designated mobility impaired parking space.
A motor vehicle displaying a valid special license plate or parking placard bearing the international wheelchair logo and issued under similar laws of another jurisdiction shall be allowed the special parking privileges as of people with disabilities living in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Status of the current policy
No review is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Department of Government Services and Lands
P.O. Box 8710
St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J5
Tel:(709) 729-7254
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
The Motor Registration Division, of the Department of Government Services and Lands, is responsible for making regulations pertaining to disabled parking permits. Enforcement is carried out by our municipal and provincial police forces as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Number of parking permits
10,000 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
E-mail dated October 26, 2000: "With respect to the disabled parking reciprocity program the Northwest Territories does not manage or legislate this program. Municipalities in the NWT would regulate disabled parking through bylaws. The NWT therefore would not be able to enter into an agreement where there is no regulatory requirement or program administration by this jurisdiction." (Gary Walsh, Deputy Registrar, NWT Department of Transportation)
The main municipalities, Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik and Fort Smith, all agreed to participate in the ECMT agreement.
Format of the parking permit
See hard copies of 2 examples on file. They both display the white international wheelchair logo on a dark blue or dark green background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
Persons displaying a handicapped placard from their rear view mirrors can park in any handicapped parking stall which is indicated by the appropriate signage.
Under the law there is no time limit but the NWT Council for the Disabled has set a time limit of 2 hours and would be regulated within their membership.
In some municipalities, such as Yellowknife, persons with a handicapped placard can park at parking meters without paying but are to only park for the allowable time, i.e. 2 hours at a two hour meter, etc. It is recommended to verify with individual community for special parking privileges.
Status of the current policy
The NWT do not have a territorial legislation on parking for people with disabilities. No policy is anticipated at the moment.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Any persons requesting information on parking regulations in Yellowknife, can contact:
Municipal Enforcement Division
City of Yellowknife
Box 580
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2N4
Tel: (867) 920-5630
For other municipalities, please contact:
Northwest Territories Council of Persons with Disabilities
PO Box 1387
Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2P1
(867) 873-8230
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
It is up to each municipality to make and to enforce bylaws relating to parking spaces for persons with disabilities.
Number of parking permits
230 valid permits
Official support for the ECMT agreement
E-mail message dated October 30, 2000: "For the record, we agree in principal with including the Yukon Territory as a participating member in the ECMT agreement. I have written acknowledgement from the City of Whitehorse that they are on side with the ECMT agreement ...Until our government [develops a territorial regulation on handicapped placards], we cannot give an official response." (Fred Jennex, Manager, Licensing, Deputy Registrar, Motor Vehicles)
Format of the parking permit
See hard copy on file. It displays a black international wheelchair logo on a white background.
Parking concessions (privileges and conditions)
At the present time, only the city of Whitehorse has a disability placard program in place.
Where the parking permit is displayed on or attached to a vehicle, it may be parked at any metered parking space without need to deposit any fee in the meter.
The permit must be visibly displayed and may not be transferred or assigned to any other vehicle or person.
Status of the current policy
The Yukon does not have a territorial legislation on parking for people with disabilities. The Yukon Motor Vehicles Act has recently been amended to allow for a system of disability placards to be implemented across the Yukon; however the system is not currently in place. Within the year 2001, it is expected that the system will be implemented.
Issuing office(s) for the parking permit for persons with disabilities
Bylaw Services
2121 2nd Ave
Whitehorse, YK, Y1A 1C2
(867) 668-8318
Provincial body responsible for bylaws pertaining to parking permits
City of Whitehorse, Bylaw Services Department.
Number of parking permits
400 valid permits
Status
Negotiations with the government of Nunavut are still underway. At the moment, it appears that, given its disperse population, Nunavut has no territorial policy nor parking placards for people with disabilities.