British Columbia Service Dog Laws

• HUMAN RIGHTS CODE [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 210: Prohibits discrimination and the BC Human Rights Act is the primary protection against discrimination of people with Service or Guide Dogs in BC. The Human Rights Act prevails over any other law.
• Applying for a special Guide and Service Dog Act (GDSDA) card is no longer required to be guaranteed access, but if you get one, there are additional fines if someone denies you access and you have a card.  

• GUIDE DOG AND SERVICE DOG ACT
  Defines “blind person”, “certificate”, “certified”, “dog trainer”, “dog-in-training”, “dog-in-training team”, “guide dog”, “guide dog team”, “person with a disability”, “registrar”, “retired guide or service dog team”, “service dog”, and “service dog team”
  Defines how Service and Guide dogs may be Certified:

  Trainers and teams must be certified by an ADI (Assistance Dogs International) or the IGDF (International Guide Dog Federation) trainer.
  If a Dog has not been trained by ADI or IGDF then the Service Dog Handler may optionally make an application to the Province of BC to have the Dog tested by The Justice Institute of British Columbia at a cost to the Handler. (This ia optional and not a requirement to be protected from discrimination). You do not need the BC ID card

  Provides access rights
  Guide and Service Dogs must not be placed on a seat or chair in any conveyance (like a bus) or a place that people sit in a food service establishment.
  Dogs must be leashed at all times.
  No person may charge an extra fee to allow the Service or Guide dog on the premise.
  No person can interfere with the access guaranteed by the Act.
  Provides penalties for non-compliance and false representation.
  BC issues Governmental ID to the Service Dog Team.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION:

BC no longer requires their Government ID card. It is only recommended. Without one, you are still protected from discrimination.