Public Service Announcement
Provincial Service Animal Act
Information for the Public
Release Date: October 1, 2019
The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay would like to remind residents and businesses in the municipality of Happy Valley-Goose Bay of the Provincial Government “Service Animal Act.”
The Service Animal Act – SNL2012 CHAPTER S-13.02 was passed in the House of Assembly in 2012. The Act ensures those with both physical and mental disabilities rights under the law, essentially ensuring access for service animals used by persons with mental or physical disabilities.
The Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador states the following:
“A disability may include a condition that is visible (for example, a visual impairment or mobility restriction), but it can also include a condition that is not apparent or is hidden from view (for example, a learning disability or post-traumatic stress disorder). In some cases, the symptoms related to an invisible disability may go through phases where they are detectable or apparent, but also through phases where the individual appears asymptomatic or in remission for example where a person suffers from epileptic seizures. Because invisible disabilities are not “seen,” many individuals with these disabilities can also experience another barrier – this being reluctance by some members of the public to acknowledge the existence of their disability.”
Furthermore, the public is advised that under the Provincial Act it is an offence to deny access to any individual with a service animal to any place of business that normally provides a service(s) to the public. Specifically stating the below:
A person who contravenes this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction
(a) in the case of an individual, to a fine of not more than $500 or to imprisonment for not more than 30 days or to both a fine and imprisonment; and
(b) in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $1,000.
To read the Service Animal Act – SNL2012 CHAPTER S-13.02 in its entirety please see the below link:
https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/s13-02.htm#4_