The Ontario government is developing new measures that would require impaired drivers to pay ongoing child support when they kill a child’s parent or guardian.
The province says the proposal would strengthen accountability for offenders while supporting families affected by preventable tragedies.
The initiative would build on recent changes included in the Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024, and would add to existing financial liabilities already facing impaired drivers, including civil court action. The government says the goal is to provide long-term financial stability for children who lose a caregiver to impaired driving.
Impaired driving continues to be the leading cause of death on Ontario roads. In 2021, 182 people were killed in impairment-related collisions, split between alcohol and drug-related fatalities. Officials say those numbers underscore the need for stronger protections and consequences.
The province is also examining legislation adopted in Texas in 2023, which requires individuals convicted of “intoxication manslaughter” to pay child support until the victim’s child turns 18 or graduates high school. Ontario says that model will help guide its own proposal as it evaluates the best path forward.
The child-support requirement is expected to be part of an upcoming legislative package focused on victim support and criminal accountability. Government officials say the proposal reflects a broader effort to ensure penalties match the severity of impaired driving and to support families left facing life-altering loss.
Impaired driving in Ontario carries severe penalties, including a lifetime licence suspension for anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death under the Criminal Code.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
