Hardeman's CO Bill Faces Committee Hearing

Monday, 2 April 2012 at 07:35

The stars may be aligning to see Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman's Bill, to make CO detectors mandatory, become law in Ontario. After two previous failed attempts at his private members bill, the Hawkins-Gignac Act will move into committee hearings for the first time today. At 2:20 this afternoon the Standing Committee on Social Policy will hear several speakers in favour of the bill. The bill then could be back in 2-weeks for a clause-by-clause review by the committee. Hardeman tells Heart FM the balance of power in the legislature is also in his favour. "I think there's some pluses to being in a minority for this private members bill because all the parties are more evenly split in the rights and responsibilities in deciding which bills come forward." The final step would be for the speak of the house to bring the bill forward for 3rd and final reading. The bill is aimed at preventing tragedy's from carbon monoxide poisoning, known as the "silent killer". Only a CO detector can alert you to a leak in your home because the gas is colourless and odourless. That's what happened to the late OPP Constable Laurie Hawkins, her husband and two children in December 2008. The family were found deceased in their Woodstock home after a blocked vent in a fireplace filled their home with the poisonous gas. Hardeman encourages all residents to install a CO detector on every level of their home, regardless of whether the bill gets passed or not. Presenters on the Bill today: 2:00 pm - Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) Jim Jessop, Deputy Fire Chief, Niagara Falls Fire Department 2:20 pm - The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education John Gignac, Co-Executive Director 2:40 pm - Safe Kids Canada Amy Wanounou, Coordinator of Government Relations and Public Policy 3:00 pm - Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association Fred LeBlanc, President 3:20 pm - Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario Vince Brescia, President Mike Chopowick, Manager of Policy 3:40 pm - Kingston Fire & Rescue Robert N. Kidd, Assistant Chief, Director of Fire Prevention