Canadiens Face Backlash Over One-Game Limit on Accessible Seating The Montreal Canadiens now limit reduced-mobility ticket buyers to one game per season, a policy that disability advocates say may violate the Charter of Rights. The Montreal Canadiens have quietly introduced a policy limiting reduced-mobility ticket buyers to one game per season at the Bell Centre, drawing criticism from fans with disabilities and advocacy groups who say the change may violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Joey Racanelli, a wheelchair user who has bought tickets in the Bell Centre's accessible seating section for years, said he was shocked to learn of the restriction this year. He typically attends four or five games a season.Unlike other customers who can purchase Habs tickets online, those seeking reduced-mobility seating must call or visit the Bell Centre ticket office in person, where Racanelli said he was told he was limited to a single match for the entire season.Habs Ticket Policy Sparks Discrimination ConcernsRacanelli described the phone conversation with a ticket agent as embarrassing, saying he felt like he had to beg for more tickets and still could not get them. He said the experience left him feeling as though he was trying to abuse the system, which he was not.He tried to get clarification from the team by phone, email and social media but received no answers. CBC confirmed through several other Habs fans who use wheelchairs that Racanelli's experience was not isolated.The Montreal Canadiens said that due to high demand, purchases for the accessible and reduced-mobility section are limited to one game per person per season, for a limited time.Steven Laperrière, general manager of the disability advocacy group Regroupement des activistes pour l'inclusion au Québec (RAPLIQ), said setting different limits on the number of tickets a disabled person can buy could amount to a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He said you cannot discriminate against persons because of their handicap.Laperrière also questioned the policy at large, asking why a person would be allowed only one game per season in a free country.Transparency Questions at Bell CentreLaperrière acknowledged that event managers face challenges ensuring accessible seats are used properly. At the Bell Centre, reduced-mobility tickets cost much less than surrounding seats, which could tempt people to game the system. He said there will still be abuse, but asked why people with disabilities have to pay the price and be limited in their ability to see the Habs because the system is not managed properly.People with invisible disabilities, such as deafness, low vision or intellectual disabilities, also have the right to use the accessible and reduced mobility section. Laperrière said it can be tough and you cannot prevent everything, but no constraints are worth limiting the freedom of people with disabilities.CBC's investigation found no evidence that the ticket policy change was disclosed publicly or communicated in any way to longtime users of the accessible and reduced mobility section at the Bell Centre before they called to reserve tickets.Laperrière criticized Groupe CH for the lack of transparency around its ticket policy, saying the corporation does business everywhere and should know better. He said not putting the policy online is a lack of transparency.Laperrière phoned the ticket office himself to ask for clarification and recorded the conversation. He shared that recording and another from a wheelchair user with CBC. In it, the ticket agent confirms they can only buy tickets for one match per season.The controversy comes after the Canadiens fell just short of reaching the Stanley Cup final last spring, fueling high demand for tickets. Racanelli, like most fans, could not wait to buy tickets for the upcoming season before learning of the restriction.