Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for Canada’s Best Merchandising Services, Canada’s Best Store Fixtures, Antalex and Canada’s Best Millwork Creations (Canada’s Best Group of Companies).

Canada’s Best group of companies is committed to meeting the objectives and requirements out lined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities through the implementation of the AODA requirements. This multi-year plan outlines the actions we will take to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

The definition of the word ‘disability’ as identified in the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 is:

• Any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness, visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or in a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device;
• A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability;
• A learning disability, or a dysfunction in or more processes involved in learning or understanding or using symbols or spoken language;
• A mental disorder; or
• An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.

The AODA develops, implements and enforces accessibility standards so that goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises are accessible to persons with disabilities. The AODA intends to achieve an accessible Ontario by January 1, 2025. In order to achieve accessibility by 2025, mandatory standards have been implemented. The Standards include:

Customer Service Standard — Ontario Regulation 429/07

• The Customer Service Standard was the first standard under the AODA to become law. It ensures that people with disabilities can receive goods and services in a manner that takes into account one’s disability.
• Requirements include development of a policy, practices, procedures as well as the provision of training for staff.
• Canada’s Best group of companies has submitted compliance reports to the Ontario government indicating we have addressed the requirements of the Regulation and were meeting the compliance obligation. We will continue to ensure compliance with the Customer Service Standard.
• We developed feedback processes to respond to inquiries and suggestions received by phone, email, mail & in person.

Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (ISAR) — Ontario Regulation 191/11

• The IASR brings together the following standard areas in one Regulation: Information & Communication, Employment, Built Environment and Transportation. The Transportation Standard does not apply to us. General requirements common to all standard areas include policy development and training (on the requirements of the IASR and the Ontario Human Rights Code).
• The requirements have staggered compliance dates up to the year 2021.

This 2012-21 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that the Canada’s Best group of companies will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

The Canada’s Best group of companies believes in treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in inclusion and accessibility for our customers, employees and applicants, and we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a respectful and timely manner. We will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility, and by meeting or exceeding all of the legal requirements, duties, and standards set by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its applicable regulations related to:

• providing customer service (AODA Customer Service Standard)
• information and communication (AODA Information and Communication Standard)
• employment (AODA Employment Standard)

This Guideline applies to all workplace activities that occur both at and away from our workplace. Every individual at our company has a responsibility to ensure a respectful and accessible customer service experience.

Our Human Resources Department reviewed the requirements of the IASR. Our combined Customer Service & Integrated Standards Policy confirms our commitment to achieving the regulations under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). It is available to the public upon request, in accessible formats.

This Multi-Year Plan was developed in accordance with the IASR. It outlines a strategy to prevent and remove barriers and address the current and future requirements of the AODA. We will maintain this plan and update it every 5 years. It will be made available to the public and in an accessible format if requested.