Accessibility Standards Canada and New Brunswick’s Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour have signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate development of accessibility standards across jurisdictions.
The agreement, signed Sept. 21, 2025, establishes a five-year framework for sharing research, aligning standards and reducing duplication between federal and provincial accessibility initiatives. The partnership aims to create more consistent accessibility experiences for Canadians with disabilities as they live, work and travel across the country.
Ninth provincial agreement
The memorandum brings Accessibility Standards Canada’s total provincial partnerships to nine. The federal organization has similar agreements with Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Ontario and now New Brunswick.
“Together, through collaboration and alignment, we can make accessibility progress and help create a Canada where everyone can participate fully,” said Dino Zuppa, chief executive officer of Accessibility Standards Canada. “By joining forces and drawing on each other’s strengths, we can make meaningful improvements that remove barriers and ultimately, make life more accessible for everyone.”
New Brunswick priorities
New Brunswick established its Accessibility Act in June 2024 and released its first five-year strategic plan on accessibility in 2025. The province appointed an Accessibility Advisory Board in August 2024 to provide guidance to the minister of post-secondary education, training and labour.
The strategic plan identifies three initial priority areas for accessibility standards regulations: information and communication, employment and the built environment. An accessibility office within the department leads implementation of the act.
“Everyone deserves to live without barriers,” said Jean-Claude D’Amours, minister of post-secondary education and training. “We are eager to partner with Accessibility Standards Canada. We know that their experience and knowledge will boost our ongoing efforts and give us a chance to help make accessibility the same experience for all Canadians.”
Coordination benefits
The memorandum allows both governments to share expertise, coordinate standards development and reduce potential conflicts between different accessibility requirements. The collaboration supports the shared federal-provincial goal of achieving a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
Accessibility Standards Canada develops standards, advances accessibility research and shares information about accessibility at the federal level.
