Petition for Transparency, Independent
Oversight, and Equitable Access in Air
Canada's Cabin-Ready Canines Program

To: The Board of Directors and Customer Accessibility Department of Air Canada

We, the undersigned members of the service dog community, disability advocates, handlers,
trainers, supporters, and members of the public, write to express our support for Air Canada's
efforts to improve accessibility for passengers who travel with service dogs. We recognize the
intent behind the Cabin-Ready Canines program and appreciate the airline's commitment to
creating a pathway for owner-trained service dogs to demonstrate readiness for air travel.
At the same time, we believe that any program affecting the mobility, independence, and rights
of persons with disabilities should be built upon principles of transparency, fairness,
accessibility, and independent accountability. As members of the service dog community, we
believe there is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence in the program and ensure that it
reflects the highest standards of service dog assessment and accessibility.

Our Concerns

Reliance on a Single Certification Provider

The current program relies on a single private organization to provide the certification pathway
for owner-trained service dogs. While we acknowledge the value of having established
standards and evaluation processes, reliance on a single provider may unintentionally limit
accessibility and choice for handlers whose dogs have been trained through other reputable
pathways.
We believe that a program intended to serve Canadians with disabilities should consider
multiple qualified certification pathways that meet clearly defined standards while maintaining
safety and consistency.

Need for Independent Oversight

Air travel presents unique public safety and accessibility considerations. For this reason, many
members of the service dog community believe that training, assessment, and oversight
functions should be subject to independent accountability measures.

Independent oversight can help ensure fairness, consistency, transparency, and public
confidence in the certification process while reducing concerns regarding potential conflicts of
interest.

Transparency and Public Confidence

Questions have been raised within the service dog community regarding the selection process
used to identify and approve the current certification partner.
Community members have identified court proceedings, consumer reviews, and other publicly
accessible discussions relating to the selected provider. While opinions regarding these matters
may differ and individual claims may be disputed, their existence has contributed to concerns
among some handlers, trainers, advocates, and members of the public regarding the program's
credibility and public perception.
Service dogs are meant to be lifelines for individuals with disabilities, enhancing their quality
of life and ensuring a measure of independence. However, this partnership undermines
these values and subjects vulnerable individuals to potential harm and mistreatment.
Because the current program relies on a single provider, questions or concerns regarding that
provider may influence public confidence in the program as a whole. For this reason, many
community members believe that independent oversight and multiple certification pathways
would strengthen confidence in the program regardless of the performance or reputation of any
individual organization.

We believe greater transparency regarding Air Canada's due diligence process, partner
selection criteria, oversight mechanisms, and ongoing quality assurance measures would help
strengthen confidence in the program and address questions raised by stakeholders.

Accessibility and Equity

A certification model that relies on a single provider may create unintended barriers for some
individuals, including:

● Persons living in rural, remote, or under-served communities;
● Individuals facing financial constraints;
● Handlers who have successfully trained service dogs through alternative reputable
methods;
● Persons who may face travel or logistical challenges when accessing assessments.

Accessibility programs should strive to maximize inclusion while maintaining rigorous and
objective standards.
Our Requests

We respectfully urge Air Canada to:

1. Conduct an Independent Review

Commission an independent review of the Cabin-Ready Canines program, including its
governance structure, oversight framework, partner selection process, and certification
standards.

2. Increase Transparency

Publicly outline:
● The criteria used to select certification partners;
● The standards used to evaluate service dog teams;
● The oversight and quality assurance mechanisms currently in place;
● The process by which concerns regarding certification providers may be raised and
reviewed.

3. Expand Recognition of Qualified Certification Pathways

Explore opportunities to recognize assessments conducted through multiple qualified providers
that meet clearly defined standards, reducing reliance on a single certification pathway while
maintaining safety and consistency.

4. Engage in Meaningful Stakeholder Consultation

Consult with:

● Service dog handlers;
● Disability-led organizations;
● Accessibility advocates;
● Service dog trainers and evaluators;
● Veterinary and canine behaviour professionals;
● Other relevant stakeholders.

Such consultation would help ensure that future program decisions reflect the diverse
experiences and needs of Canadians who rely on service dogs.

5. Promote Independent Accountability

Consider implementing independent review or appeal mechanisms to ensure fairness,
consistency, and public confidence in certification outcomes.

Closing Statement

We support Air Canada's commitment to accessibility and recognize the importance of
maintaining safe and effective standards for service dogs travelling by air.
This petition is not intended to target any individual organization or person. Rather, it reflects a
broader call for transparency, independent oversight, equitable access, and meaningful
stakeholder engagement within a program that affects Canadians with disabilities.

We respectfully ask Air Canada to work collaboratively with the service dog community to
ensure that the Cabin-Ready Canines program reflects the highest standards of accessibility,
accountability, public trust, and inclusion.

Respectfully submitted,

The Undersigned