Statement by
The Honourable Donna Cansfield
Minister of Transportation

Seatbelt Legislation

Legislature Building, Queen's Park, Toronto
October 16, 2006

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise in the house today to introduce important legislation that will save lives on Ontario roads.

Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to the families of those killed in a terrible collision in Caledon this weekend. I know all members will join me in sending our deepest condolences to their loved ones.

There were ten people, including at least one child, travelling in a van with seatbelts for only seven. Right now, there is nothing in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act to prevent people from getting into a vehicle that doesn't have enough seatbelts.

Mr. Speaker, today the McGuinty government is putting a stop to that.

In 1976, Ontario was the first jurisdiction in North America to make wearing seatbelts mandatory. Today, I am introducing legislation that would require one seatbelt for every person in a vehicle that travels on Ontario's roads. One person – one seatbelt.

I call on all members to support this legislation without delay.

Mr. Speaker, since seatbelts were made mandatory the number of people killed and injured in collisions has steadily dropped. Our proposed "one person – one seatbelt" legislation would save lives!

Mr. Speaker, the latest statistics show about one third of all drivers and passengers killed in motor vehicle collisions were not wearing seatbelts.

I'm heartened that the most recent survey by Transport Canada found that Ontario has the second highest rates of seatbelt use in urban areas in Canada – nearly 93 per cent. That's above the national average of just over 91 per cent.

But, Mr. Speaker, we can and must do more. For every one per cent increase in seatbelt usage, five lives are saved. Our goal is 100 per cent usage!

Mr. Speaker, the safety of children is a particular concern of mine. I'm pleased to report that, according to the 2004 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report, the number of children killed and injured in road collisions fell compared to 2003.

Sadly, collisions are still a leading cause of death and injury for children between one and nine years old (Safe Kids Canada). A properly used child car safety seat can cut the chances of death or serious injury by as much as 75 per cent (The Infant and Toddler Safety Association).

That's why the McGuinty government brought forward legislation to make it mandatory for all caregivers – grandparents, babysitters and hosts of children's birthday parties – to ensure children are properly secured in an appropriate child car safety seat or booster seat when travelling. Drivers who don't face a fine and two demerit points.

Mr. Speaker, we're serious about safety. That's why we made booster seats the law in Ontario. And that is why I am introducing legislation today to ensure that everyone who gets in a vehicle on an Ontario road is safely secured.

I call upon our honourable members to support our life-saving one person – one seatbelt legislation.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.