Canadian Legislative Updates

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 Legislation Introduced to Prohibit Deadly Vehicles

A Private Members Bill has been introduced in the House of Commons to ban deadly 15-passenger vans from Canada's roadways. Introduced by New Democrat MP Yvon Godin, this bill has been introduced to help prevent future tragedies, following the January 2008 15-passenger van accident that killed seven students and one teacher from Bathurst High School.

Godin highlighted that the accident could have been prevented if 15-passenger vans were not licensed on Canada's roads. Godin also noted that the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as 43 American states, have already prohibited these types of vehicles.

These vans most frequently overturn in single-vehicle road accidents. In the 1970s, the vans were tailored to meet a demand for vehicles to be able to transport more than 10 passengers.  Schools, non-profit organizations, and clubs looking for affordable transportation typically used these vans. 

Godin hopes that the Federal Minister of Transport will take quick action on this file, in order to help prevent future tragedies.