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Emotional support animals in Canada are largely unrepresented in Canadian law.
Apart from travel laws, most rules and regulations surrounding ESAs differs from one Canadian province to the next. If you are thinking about getting an emotional support animal in Canada, you need to be sure to research both federal and provincial laws.
Firstly, there are federal laws in place that let you fly with your ESA. The Canadian Transportation Agency grants you this right. It also forces all airlines to comply with the Air Transportation Regulations. No matter where you’re seated, your ESA will be accepted onboard free of charge.
When it comes to housing, ESAs are also protected by laws. But these laws are not federal, they’re made by each of the provinces. This is very important because depending on where you live, housing laws may vary.
Always keep in mind that these rules will only protect you and your ESA if you have a valid emotional support letter. The person or agency that writes this letter to you has to be in good standing with the law. This means that they have to comply with the Canada Health Act.
No matter where you’re seated, your ESA will be accepted onboard free of charge.
Similar to the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) in America, the Aircraft Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities allows a person with a physical/mental/emotional disorder to fly with protections. People suffering from mental or physical disabilities can fly with their assistance animal free of charge. A disabled person suffering from mental disorders or illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression massively benefit from the calming and comforting presence of an assistance animal in public places.
Do you qualify for ESA? Click here to find out
Housing Emotional Support Animal Letter Canada
In Canada, housing laws that protect ESAs can be tricky. The best way to ensure your province provides protection is by looking at how that province’s law defines ESAs. You also need to find out whether there is a specific act that protects persons with disabilities that include emotional or mental illnesses or conditions.
Most provinces seem to make room for fair housing for people with disabilities. In provinces where people with mental illnesses are protected by law, a landlord must provide them with reasonable accommodation despite there being a “no-pet” policy in place. The landlord is also not allowed to charge an extra pet fee or deposit. However, according to Canadian law, the owner of an assistance animal is must pay for any damages to the property caused by the animal.
Travel Emotional Support Animal Letter Canada
An emotional support letter is official proof that your companion is, in fact, an ESA. This means that they’re not your pet, and so are protected by some Canadian laws. Emotional support letters are used to separate pets being passed off as ESAs from actual ESAs.
But how can you get it? Writing an emotional support letter in Canada isn’t something you, the ESA owner, can do. You have to ask a licensed mental health professional who can practice in your province to write it for you. Your therapist will assess your mental state and then write the letter if they think you can benefit from having an ESA.
Gone are the days when you needed to look for a licensed mental health professional for hours on the phone book. Therapetic, powered by CertaPet, now simplifies the process for you. Our team of licensed mental health professionals is more than qualified to issue your emotional support letter. With it, you’ll have access to all the privileges we mentioned before!
Legitimate ESA Registration
in Canada
Don’t be fooled by fake sites! The so-called emotional support animal registration AND certification in Canada does not exist.
No law requires you to register your ESA or to get them certified. Be sure to stay away from any company trying to sell you an emotional support animal certification in Canada.
To get an emotional support animal in Canada, all you need is an emotional support letter issued by a licensed mental health professional. This letter will disclose all the information about you as the owner and why you need an emotional support animal.
Common Questions
Is CertaPet Legit?
Certapet’s main goal is to spread the knowledge on emotional support animals and help those in need get the care they deserve. That’s why they’re dedicated to connecting qualified individuals to licensed mental healthprofessionals in their state.
Is Therapetic Legit?
The information and documentation we issue is 100%compliant with federal and state laws. Your personalized letter is issued by a real licensed mental health professional in your state or province. In fact, each letter contains the documentation where the board can be contacted and verified.
Want to know if you are eligible to become an ESA owner? TheraPetic, powered by Certapet, can help you throughout the entire process thanks to our fully qualified licensed mental healthprofessionals.
The entire process was very efficient and less time-consuming. My therapist did a great job in assisting me with my case and explaining the details.
I couldn’t be happier with the customer service of CertaPet. They were very considerate and thorough in their evaluation and timely on getting me the paperwork required. I can’t thank you enough!
The process was extremely easy, fast and convenient. Once approved I had my letter in a couple of days in my mailbox and same day in my email. I’m soo glad I have my pet as an emotional support animal. Now I don’t have to worry about being separated from him ever!
The entire process was very efficient and less time-consuming. My therapist did a great job in assisting me with my case and explaining the details.
I couldn’t be happier with the customer service of CertaPet. They were very considerate and thorough in their evaluation and timely on getting me the paperwork required. I can’t thank you enough!
The process was extremely easy, fast and convenient. Once approved I had my letter in a couple of days in my mailbox and same day in my email. I’m soo glad I have my pet as an emotional support animal. Now I don’t have to worry about being separated from him ever!
See our 191 reviews on
Content ESA Laws in Your Province
Luckily, you may be able to live with your emotional support animal in Canada. Different laws apply to each province. But they all have one thing in common: they all shelter people with mental disabilities from discrimination. This can also be interpreted to apply to housing, and there are already hundreds of people living with their ESAs.
British Columbia
Human Rights Code of British Columbia
http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/00_96210_01#section8
Discrimination in accommodation, service and facility
(1)A person must not, without a bona fide and reasonable justification,
(a)deny to a person or class of persons any accommodation, service or facility customarily available to the public, or
(b)discriminate against a person or class of persons regarding any accommodation, service or facility customarily available to the public because of the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or class of persons.
(2)A person does not contravene this section by discriminating
(a)on the basis of sex, if the discrimination relates to the maintenance of public decency or to the determination of premiums or benefits under contracts of life or health insurance, or
(b)on the basis of physical or mental disability or age, if the discrimination relates to the determination of premiums or benefits under contracts of life or health insurance.
Ontario
If you call Ontario your home, the Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code are the ones to look up to. These acts have all the legal information you need to be aware of.
Quebec
Since Quebec laws are somewhat murky, it’s incredibly important to know them well! First, the “Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration.” Second, the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. They protect you when looking for a place to rent.
Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, residents with ESAs are protected by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. A “no pets” policy in rental or condominium housing does not apply to those residents who have medical evidence that states their need for the animal to alleviate symptoms of a mental disorder.
Alberta
The Service Animals Act is the law you need to know if you live in Alberta. Although it doesn’t say anything in particular about ESAs, the arguments and base for legal defense are the same as for service animals.
Manitoba
Manitoba residents can also refer to the Human Rights Code and to the Service Animals Protection Act for help. They protect all people with mental disabilities from being discriminated against when it comes to housing.
Other Provinces
If you live in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, or Yukon, you are protected by the Human Rights Act. Section 5 of this act protect mentally ill people from being discriminated against when renting commercial and dwelling units. This applies even to buildings that have a no-pets policy!
