CANADA - NEWFOUNDLAND

The first Canadian obtained his dog guide in 1931.  Since that
time, the number of dog guides in use in Canada has grown steadily,
and today many blind Canadians enjoy the freedom the dog guides so
richly provide.  In recent years all Canadian provinces have
adopted special statutes granting dog guide users legally protected
access to a variety of public accommodations.  These are summarized
in the following pages.

When crossing and recrossing the Canadian-American border, a dog
guide user should remember to carry the dog's up-to-date health
certificate and a current rabies vaccine record.  It would also be
wise to have the identification card issued by dog guide schools
to their graduates and to keep a muzzle available, as occasionally
there are muzzling requirements.

The Blind Persons' Rights Act of 1981 - Chapter 60

Newfoundland statutory law guarantees a blind person the right to
be accompanied by a specially trained dog guide in all places of
public accommodation.  A dog guide user has a legally protected
right to equal housing accommodations and no special conditions or
terms can be imposed because of the dog guide.

Public accommodations and facilities include stores, restaurants,
hotels and common carriers such as trains, buses, and taxis, and
other conveyances, as well as other services and facilities to
which the public is customarily admitted.

Housing accommodations include any commercial unit or self-
contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Any person who interferes with the rights enumerated in
this Act is guilty of an offense and liable on summary conviction:
if an individual, to a fine of not more than $500 or to
imprisonment for not more than 30 days or to both; if a body
corporate, to a fine of not more than $1,00 or to imprisonment for
not more than 60 days, or both.
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