CANADA - ALBERTA

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 - Chapter B-6, 1980

Alberta law guarantees a blind person the right to be accompanied
by a specially trained dog guide in all public accommodations.  It
is unlawful discrimination for anyone to deny a dog guide user
access to or use of a public accommodation on the grounds of the
dog guide's presence.  The dog guide user should be prepared to
present for inspection either an identification card issued by the
Canadian National Institute for the Blind or an identification card
issued by the dog guide school from which the dog was obtained.

A dog guide user has a legally protected right to equal housing
accommodations.  A landlord may not insist on any terms or
conditions in regard to the dog guide, which in any way
discriminates against the dog guide's presence.  The landlord,
however, is not required in any way to modify the premises.

Public accommodations include places or facilities to which the
public is invited.  Generally these include stores, restaurants,
hotels and public conveyances, as well as facilities and services
of a similar nature.

Housing accommodation is defined as a self-contained dwelling unit.

Violation: Anyone who interferes with the above enumerated rights
is guilty of an offense and upon conviction is subject to a fine
not to exceed $1,000.