Ontario is changing lifejacket rules for kids ages 12 and under. Here's what you need to know

The Ontario government appears to be set to pass a new bill that would make it mandatory for children aged 12 and under to wear lifejackets on boats.

The Ontario government appears to be set to pass a new bill that would make it mandatory for children aged 12 and under to wear lifejackets on boats.

The legislation, which was originally tabled back in April, was brought forward in committee Monday. It is likely to pass when Members of Provincial Parliament return to the Legislature in the fall.

“Every single state in the United States has a mandatory lifejacket law for children. Canada does not,” said Progressive Conservative MPP Goldie Ghamari, who introduced the bill.

According to Canadian law, every watercraft must have a lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFD) for every person on board.

It is not mandatory that individuals actually wear the PFDs.

The new provincial legislation would do just that—requiring children aged 12 and under to wear lifejackets while on a “pleasure boat” or while being towed behind one using recreational water equipment.

A pleasure boat is defined as being nine meters in length or smaller, according to the bill.