• British Columbia law imposes a $109 fine for failure to properly secure a child.child in a carseat image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
  
  Child restraint systems like car seats and booster seats help reduce the risk of injury to infants and young children in the event of an accident. British Columbia, a western province of Canada, has child restraint laws that apply to every part of the province. Individual locations like Whistler do not have their own sets of laws that differ. The province's most recent revision of the law took effect July 1, 2008.
  
  

Acceptable Child Restraint Systems

• British Columbia does not permit the use of child restraint systems purchased outside the country of Canada.
  
  

Age and Height Guidelines

• All children in Canada must use a size and weight appropriate restraint system until they turn nine years old or reach 145 cm.
  
  

Required Restraint Systems

• According to British Columbia law, all infants under 1 year old and under 9 kg, or 20 lb., must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children over 1 year and between 9 and 18 kg, or 20 to 40 lb., must ride in forward-facing car seats. Younger children over 18 kg, or 40 lb., must ride in a booster seat appropriate for their weight and height and a seat belt until they reach either the acceptable age or height. All children must wear a seatbelt at all times regardless of age.
  
  

Penalties

• In British Columbia, failure to properly restrain a child can result in a fine of $109.