Legal Requirements for Child Seats and Winterisation in Canadian Territories
Legal Requirements for Child Seats in Canadian Territories and Provinces:
Alberta A child under the age of six years old and who does not weigh more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds) must be properly secured in a child safety seat. The child safety seat must be installed in the vehicle according to manufacturer’s instructions of the vehicle and child safety seat. All child safety seats used in Canada must have a label on them that states the product meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Do not use a child safety seat unless it has this label. Do not use a child safety seat that is designed for use in countries other than Canada. There are various types of child safety seats available, choose one that is right for your child’s age or weight.
British Columbia All infants must be properly secured in an approved rear-facing infant seat away from an active frontal airbag until they reach a weight of 9 kg and 1 year old. All children weighting 9-18 kg must be secured in an approved child seat. All children must be restrained in an age and weight appropriate child seat until 9 years of age, unless they have reached the height of 145 cm tall.
Manitoba It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle when a passenger of at least 5 years old but not yet 18 years of age, or a passenger under the age of 5 that weighs over 23 kg, is not wearing a passenger restraint. When the passenger restraint consists of a separate pelvic and torso restraint, the driver and passengers may wear the pelvic restraint only. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a passenger aged 5 to 9 years of age or under 145 cm or under 36 kg who is not secured using a booster seat. It is also illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a passenger under 5 years of age and under 23 kg who is not fastened in a child restraint device.
New Brunswick A person driving a motor vehicle on a highway with a passenger aged 9 – 16 years and more than 36 kg (79-80 lbs.) or more than 145 cm (4′ 9″) must ensure that the passenger is one, wearing the complete seat belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner, or two is occupying and properly secured in a child seating and restraint system. Also, a person driving a motor vehicle on a highway must ensure that passengers 18 kg (40 lbs.) or less occupy and are properly secured in an appropriate child seating and restraint system. Children who weigh 18-36 kg (40-80 lbs.) but under 9 years old or under 145 cm may be in a booster seat. Children who weigh less than 9 kg (20 lbs.) are required to be secured in either an infant carrier or convertible seat adjusted to the rear-facing position while riding in vehicles where there is an available seating position fitted with a seat belt.
Newfoundland and Labrador A child who weighs less than 9 kg must be secured in a rear-facing infant car seat. A child who weighs 9 kg or more but less than 18 kg must be secured in a child car seat or an infant car seat as recommended by the manufacturer. A child who is under age 8 and weighs more than 18 kg but less than 37 kg and is less than 145 cm in height must be secured in a booster seat and the vehicle’s complete seat belt assembly, or in a child car seat as recommended by the manufacturer. These requirements do not apply if the driver holds a certified report by a qualified physician stating that the child cannot be placed in the restraint system because of medical reasons. A child who is under age 16 must wear a properly secured and fastened seat belt regardless of seating position.
Northwest Territories All children weighing less than 18 kg are required to be in a child restraint system when in a motor vehicle. Children weighing less than 9 kg must be secured in a rearward facing child restraint system.
Nove Scotia Children under 1 year of age and under 10 kg (22 lbs.) must be in a rear-facing child safety seat, and children under 18 kg (40 lbs.) must also be in a child restraint system. Children over 40 lbs. but less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) or under 9 years old must be placed in a booster seat. Safety belts may be used at age 9, or above 145 cm. A vehicle registered in a jurisdiction which does not require the use of a child restraint system for a toddler must secure the toddler in a lap belt, at a minimum, if a lap belt is available to that child.
Nunavut No person shall operate, on a highway, a motor vehicle in which there is a passenger under 15 of the prescribed size or weight unless that passenger is properly secured in a prescribed child restraint system or seat belt. A toddler between 9kg and 18kg shall be secured in a child restraint system, and any infant under 9kg shall be secured in a rearward facing child restraint system.
Ontario Children from 8 to 16 and 36 kg or more, or taller than 145 cm are required to be in a seat belt; child restraints are required for children under 8 and under 36 kg, or under 145 cm.
Prince Edward Island Children under 10 years and under 145 cm (4 feet 7 inches) are required to be in a child safety seat. Children under 10 kg (22 lbs.) must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat. Children under 18 kg (40 lbs.) must ride in a forward-facing child safety seat. Children may ride in a booster seat if they are over 18 kg (40 lbs.), under 145 cm, and age 9 or less.
Quebec A new Quebec Highway Safety Code measure comes into effect on April 1, 2019. In general, Canadian law requires that a child be at least 145 centimetres tall or at least 9 years of age before wearing the seat belt alone. Prior to this, the following child seat requirements apply: Infant seat: from birth to at least 10 kg (22 lb) - Child seat: child weighing 10 kg (22 lb) to 18 kg (40 lb) - Booster seat: minimum of 18 kg (40 lb) and until the age of 9 and a height of 145 cm. It is also strongly recommended that children aged 12 or younger always sit in the back seat. This is the safest place for them, since they are seated as far away as possible from the points of impact in the event of a head-on collision.
Saskatchewan All passengers under age 16 must be properly restrained. If the child passenger is under age 7, between 18 and 43 kg, and under 145 cm, that passenger shall be placed in a booster seat. If the child passenger weighs less than 18 kg, they must be placed in an age and weight appropriate child or infant restraint system. This child or infant restraint system must be properly adjusted and securely fastened in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.
Yukon Children under 6 years of age and under 22 kg must be secured in a child restraint system. A child weighing less than 9 kg must be secured in an infant restraint system. A child weighing 9 to 22 kg must be secured in a child restraint system. Children weighing over 18 kg may use a booster seat. Children weighing over 22 kg may use a standard seat belt.
Legal Requirements for Winterisation in Canadian Territories and Provinces:
Alberta There is no official laws that make it mandatory to use winter tyres during the winter. However, Alberta Transportation does recommend that you use them (or a good set of all-seasons) during extreme and severe weather conditions.
British Columbia In certain mountainous areas winter tyres or chains are required by law between October 1 and April 30. Signs are posted on highways where winter tyres are required. This is usually when approaching high mountain passes or interior highways where weather conditions are known to change quickly. Studs of up to 3.5 mm are permitted during this time frame and they must be on both the front and rear wheels. Vehicles weighing less than 10,000 lbs. can have up to 130 studs in total.
Manitoba Studded tyres can be used between October 1 and April 30 throughout the province of Manitoba and for vehicles with an ownership address in Northern Ontario, as defined by the Territorial Districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Temiskaming.
New Brunswick The only mandatory winter tyre regulations in New Brunswick are on school buses. As for studded tyres they’re allowed between October 15 and May 1.
Newfoundland and Labrador Studded tyres are permitted between November 1 and May 31 and winter tyres are highly recommended during this period.
Northwest Territories Despite being among the coldest and snowiest places in the entire country, none of the territories have specific laws that require people to use winter tyres while driving. However, if you are ever driving up there, we strongly recommend you use them.
Nove Scotia Studded tyres are permitted between October 15 and May 1, but the studs cannot be longer than ¼ inch from the base of the tyre or have a diameter of more than a ½ inch. Vehicles under 10,000 lbs. can have up to 130 studs in total.
Nunavut Despite being among the coldest and snowiest places in the entire country, none of the territories have specific laws that require people to use winter tyres while driving. However, if you are ever driving up there, we strongly recommend you use them.
Ontario Studded tyres can be used between October 1 and April 30 throughout the province of Manitoba and for vehicles with an ownership address in Northern Ontario, as defined by the Territorial Districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Temiskaming.
Prince Edward Island Although provincial guidelines strongly recommend using winter tyres during winter months, there is currently no legislation that requires it. Studded tyres are permitted between October 1 and May 31.
Quebec Since 2008 it has been a law throughout the province of Quebec for all motorists to have four winter tyres installed on their vehicle from December 15 to March 15. These tyres must be marked with the peaked mountain with a snowflake symbol which guarantees the tyres have been certified to meet snow traction performance requirements. Getting caught without winter tyres will warrant a fine of $200 to $300. If you’re only visiting Quebec the tyre law does not affect you as your vehicle would be registered and plated by your home jurisdiction. Studded tyres are also permitted between October 15 and May 1 as long as their used both front and rear.
Saskatchewan The province recommends that people use winter tyres, but have no laws set in stone that require people to do so. Despite Saskatchewan being one of the iciest and coldest provinces, they have one of the lowest winter tyre usage rates in the country as only 39% of people actually use winter tyres.
Yukon Despite being among the coldest and snowiest places in the entire country, none of the territories have specific laws that require people to use winter tyres while driving. However, if you are ever driving up there, we strongly recommend you use them.