7.  Are there requirements for occupying seats in an emergency exit row?

Each airline must establish procedures to ensure that seats in an emergency exit row are not occupied by passengers whose presence in those seats could adversely affect the safety of passengers and crew members during an emergency.

Passengers seated at exits:

• must be physically capable of using the exit;
• must be capable of understanding the printed and spoken emergency instructions;
• must be able to visually determine if the exit is safe to open;
• must have sufficient mobility, strength and dexterity to reach, operate and stow (or otherwise dispose of) the emergency exit;
• must be able to receive aural information from the crew and to orally communicate that information to other passengers;
• must be of a minimum age (as established by the air operator) to ensure that he/she has the physical, cognitive and sensory capacity to operate an emergency exit;
• must not be responsible for another person as this can hinder the opening of the emergency exit; and
• must not have a condition that might cause them harm by opening the exit.

Transport Canada has produced a video entitled "Smart Seating", that clarifies the seating regulations for passengers with special needs.

The video is in VHS and CD-Rom format and is available in both official languages. Each version includes open captioning (text style). The English version includes a cameo for American Sign Language while the French version includes a cameo for Quebec Sign Language.

This video is available, at no cost, upon request:

TP 13402 Smart Seating