In a shocking incident, Georgina Villeneuve, a deaf woman relying on her service dog for essential support, was removed from a Porter Airlines flight after a conflict over her service dog’s placement. The incident, which Porter later attributed to “miscommunication” between the crew, left Villeneuve feeling humiliated and sparked renewed calls for better accessibility training across Canadian airlines.
Villeneuve, who lost most of her hearing from a viral infection, depends on her service dog, Maggie, for balance and sound alerts. As the flight prepared for takeoff in Toronto, a flight attendant insisted that Maggie be placed under the seat—a direct violation of Porter’s and Canadian Transportation Agency’s rules on service animals. Despite Villeneuve’s efforts to clarify policies, the crew forced her off the plane, igniting widespread outcry.
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities called the incident a clear disregard for the rights of disabled passengers. Porter has since apologized, committing to enhanced training on accessibility, full compensation, and a meaningful donation to the Canadian Hearing Society, aiming to prevent future missteps.
Source: Swifteradio.com
