Statement to the Ontario Legislature (April 18, 2006)

(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the house today to talk about an important matter for all Ontarians: seatbelt safety.

Earlier today, I officially launched the Annual Spring Seatbelt Campaign, which runs from April 16 to 23. This year we are focusing on one of my priorities — the safety of children travelling on Ontario roads.

Mr. Speaker, collisions are the leading cause of death and injury for children one to nine years old. (Safe Kids Canada) In fatal crashes nearly 20 per cent of the children under eight years old, were not using seatbelts, child car safety seats or booster seats.

That's why our government has made it mandatory for drivers transporting children to ensure they are properly secured in an appropriate child car safety seat or booster seat. Drivers who don't, face a fine and two demerit points.

Mr. Speaker, we're serious about safety. We know kids are safer in child car safety seats and booster seats. That's why we supported such strong penalties for parents and caregivers who don't comply with the law.

About 20 child car safety seat information sessions will be held across the province in the next week to coincide with the Annual Spring Seatbelt Campaign. And there will be many more sessions held throughout the year.

I encourage families with young children to contact our ministry to find out more about these helpful sessions. They are happening in your community and are a great resource.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the community groups and public health care workers who organize these information sessions as well as our police who raise awareness with seatbelt spot checks. The work you do is important and your support is invaluable.

We are also very fortunate to work with a number of road safety partners in educating the public. For example, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services has recently released an extremely helpful DVD on the proper installation of child car safety seats.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to report Ontario has the second highest rate of seatbelt use in urban areas in Canada - nearly 93 per cent. (Transport Canada survey) That's above the national average of just over 91 per cent.

But we can and must do more. I won't be satisfied until Ontario's seatbelt rate is 100 per cent, so that no child is put in danger while travelling.

Mr. Speaker, today's announcement is just one way the McGuinty government is helping families do the best for their children.

We've lowered class sizes for children in early grades. Seventy per cent of our kids are now in smaller classes - half in classes of 20 or fewer.

We've provided the resources and help kids need to learn to read, write and do math at a high level. Test scores are up. Sixty-two per cent of our children are now meeting the provincial standard, up from half in 2003.

We've hired 4,300 new teachers and delivered one million new textbooks.

We've introduced legislation to keep students learning until at least age 18.

We've launched an anti-bullying strategy and school safety audits.

We've added three new vaccines to protect children and save families more than $600 dollars per child.

We've also created 14,000 new childcare spaces.

All Ontarians benefit when we keep our children safe and help them learn.

Mr. Speaker, together we are making our roads safer for children — and everyone who travels in Ontario.

Ontario has the safest roads in North America.

Our government is committed to maintaining and improving upon that record.

For more than a decade now, the Ministry of Transportation has held the Annual Spring Seatbelt Campaign with the help of our road safety partners including police, fire, emergency medical services, health care professionals and community groups across the province.

Mr. Speaker, I know all members will want to join me in encouraging everyone to wear a seatbelt and use the proper child car safety seat or booster seat when transporting children.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.