The Battle for Booster Seat Legislation in Manitoba

Booster Seat Legislation is needed in Manitoba: For the last several years, Manitoba Liberals have been battling for legislation to make the use of booster seats mandatory for children in Manitoba.  This is a basic safety issue. Lacking this legislation, the lives of our children are at risk.  Almost all other provinces have such legislation. This legislation is particularly important for preventing spinal cord injuries which can happen when children who are 5-8 years old and are in a car accident while using a regular seat belt instead of a booster seat.   Much research shows the importance of this legislation to save injuries and lives in children.  Research also shows this legislation will save money.  Every dollar spent on a child restraint device has been found to save $32.  Of note, the Canadian Pediatric Society has given Manitoba a failing grade for not having such legislation.

Current Manitoba Legislation: Presently in Manitoba children up to age five and 50 lbs must ride in a car seat.  Almost all other provinces now require children to ride in booster seats up to when they are 145 cm (4 ft 9 inches) in height or 36 kg (80 lbs) or 8 or 9 years of age.

Action by Manitoba Liberals:
A bill to make booster seat use mandatory in Manitoba was introduced three times by Manitoba Liberals.
First Time:
April 11, 2008: Jon Gerrard seconded by Kevin Lamoureux introduced legislation (Bill 224) at first reading to have mandatory booster seat use in Manitoba for children under the age of 8 who are up to 145 cm or 80 lbs.
June 10, 2008: Jon Gerrard seconded by Larry Macguire introduced Bill 224 at second reading.  Bill 224 was then debated with Jon Gerrard and Larry Macguire speaking in favour and Kerri Irvin-Ross, Erin Selby, Sharon Blady, Rob Altemeyer, Doug Martindale and Peter Bjornson speaking in opposition.  The bill did not pass because of the NDP opposition.
Second Time:
Nov. 24, 2008: Jon Gerrard seconded by Kevin Lamoureux introduced legislation (Bill 200) at first reading to have mandatory booster seat use in Manitoba for children under the age of 8 who are up to 145 cm or 80 lbs.
June 2, 2009: Gerrard and Lamoureux moved Bill 200 at Second Reading.  It was debated at length with Jon Gerrard, Kevin Lamoureux, Larry Maguire and Heather Stephanson speaking in support and Erin Selby, Sharon Blady, Daryl Reid and Jennifer Howard speaking in opposition.   As a result of the NDP opposition to the bill it did not pass on to the next stage.
Third Time:
December 10, 2009: Lamoureux and Gerrard introduced legislation (Bill 215) at first reading to have mandatory booster seat use in Manitoba for children under the age of 8 who are up to 145 cm or 80 lbs.   The bill was not moved to second reading because there NDP continued to be opposed to the bill.

Manitoba Liberals continue to promote and support legislation to make booster seats mandatory for Manitoba children in order to save injuries and to save lives.

These efforts are all part of the Manitoba Liberal effort to save injuries and lives and save dollars.

Make a Donation to support our efforts: To help our Manitoba Liberal Party efforts to promote the safety and well-being of Manitoba children, we ask for your support.  Please go to http://mlp.manitobaliberals.ca/ and click on DONATE NOW to make an on-line donation.