Halifax Transit driver charged after denying blind man access to city bus

A Halifax Transitdriver has been charged under the Blind Persons' Rights Act for denyinga man and his guide dog access to acity bus, Halifax Regional Police say.

A 58-year-old Lower Sackville, N.S., man and his guide dog were denied entry to the bus on Jan. 28, according to police.

Police have charged a 55-year-old man from Lantz, N.S., with discriminating"against any person with respect to the accommodation, services or facilities available in any place to which the public is customarily admitted or the charges for the use thereof, for the reason that he is a blind person accompanied by a dog guide."

HRP Const. John MacLeod said Friday policehave the authority to lay charges under the act.

Maggie-Jane Spray, a spokesperson for Halifax Transit, said she couldn't comment on the incident"because it is a personnel matter."

"Any time there is a concern brought forward by a member of the public related to the application of our internal policies, processes, or practices, we complete an investigation and follow up with appropriate corrective action, depending on the findings of the investigation," Spray said.

Spray said the investigationhas been completed. As a result of the incident, the city is continuing to educate its transit workers about service animal policies for Halifax Transit, she said.

Halifax Transit'spolicy allows service animals into all transit facilities and on all vehicles and vessels.

The bus driver isscheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court at a later date.

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