The Ontario government is looking at a new law that would make impaired drivers pay ongoing child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian.
The idea is part of a larger bill the government plans to bring forward at Queen’s Park in the next few weeks.
During Question Period on Tuesday, Attorney General Doug Downey said losing a parent has long-lasting emotional and financial impacts on children.
“The impact goes far beyond the immediate loss. It leaves a child struggling in many ways,” Downey said.
He noted that families can already sue impaired drivers in civil court, but said that isn’t enough.
“Requiring a convicted impaired driver to pay financial support would strengthen accountability and help make sure children get the help they need after such tragedies,” he said.
Opposition parties say more prevention is needed
Opposition leaders said the government should focus more on stopping impaired driving before it happens.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the move could help, but criticized the government for expanding alcohol sales while removing some road safety measures.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the government has had eight years to take stronger action against impaired driving. She also questioned whether allowing alcohol sales in gas stations helps reduce drunk driving.
Liberal MPP John Fraser said the proposal lacks detail and accused the government of trying to distract from other issues, including the Skills Development Fund scandal.
The proposed law would apply to drivers impaired by either alcohol or drugs.
Advocates support the idea but stress prevention
Tanya Hansen Pratt, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), said she supports efforts to help children who lose a parent to impaired driving. She lost her own mother to an impaired driver and said the emotional and financial impact is huge.
However, she said the change likely won’t stop people from driving impaired because most don’t think about consequences in the moment.
According to Ontario, 182 people died in impaired driving crashes in 2021 — 96 due to alcohol and 86 due to drugs.
The province says the law could be similar to a Texas law passed in 2023, which makes impaired drivers pay child support until the child turns 18 or finishes high school.
Last year, Ontario introduced a lifetime driver’s licence suspension for anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death.
Downey said he couldn’t share full details yet but stressed the announcement is meant to remind people, especially during the holiday season, that impaired driving has serious consequences. He did not explain why the law would not include other kinds of dangerous drivers, such as those who are distracted.
