Canadian car seat laws by province and territory

Lynda
by Lynda Cranston |
Baby in rear-facing car seat
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Car seat and booster seat laws vary across Canada. Use this chart to determine the regulations in your area.

Province/TerritoryRear-facing and forward-facing requirements Booster seat laws
Alberta Car seat until at least 18 kg (40 lb) OR six years old.No booster seat law.
British ColumbiaRear face until at least one year AND 9kg (20 lb). Booster seat until at least 145 cm (4’9”) OR nine years old.
Manitoba Car seat or booster seat suitable for child’s age, weight and height. Booster seat until 145 cm (4’9”) OR 36 kg (80 lb) OR nine years old.
New Brunswick Car seat or booster seat suitable for child’s age, weight and height. Booster seat until 145cm (4’9”) OR 36kg (80lb) OR nine years old.
Newfoundland and Labrador Rear face until at least 9kg (20lb).
Car seat until at least 18kg
(40lb).		 Booster seat until nine years old OR until 145cm (4’9”) AND 37kg (81lb).
Northwest Territories Rear face until at least 9kg (20lb).
Car seat until at least 18kg (40lb).		No booster seat law.
Nova Scotia Rear face until at least one year AND 10kg (22lb). Car seat until at least 18kg (40lb).Booster seat until 145cm (4’9”) OR nine years old.
Nunavut Rear face until at least 9kg (20lb).
Car seat until at least 18kg (40lb).		No booster seat law.
Ontario Rear face until at least 9kg (20lb).
Car seat until at least 18kg (40lb).		 Booster seat until 145cm (4’9”) OR 36kg (80lb) OR eight years old.
Prince Edward IslandRear face until at least one year AND 10kg (22lb). Car seat until at least 18kg (40lb). Booster seat until 145cm (4’9”) OR 10 years old or exceeds manufacturer’s weight limit.
QuebecCar seat or booster seat that is suitable for child’s age, weight and height. Booster seat until 145cm (4’9”) OR nine years old.
Saskatchewan Car seat until at least 18kg (40lb) that is suitable for child’s age, weight and height.Booster until age seven, OR until 36kg (80lb) AND 145cm (4’9”).
Yukon Rear face until at least 10kg (22lb) and walking unassisted.
Child restraint system until at least 22kg (48lb) suitable for child’s age, weight and height.		Child restraint system or booster seat until 145cm (4’9”) OR 45kg (100lb).

This information was sourced from the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (pdf).

Check out the top car seat installation mistakes.
How to choose a car seat
More baby videos
Lynda Cranston
Lynda Cranston
Lynda has been a health and medical writer for 20-plus years. She has extensive experience in re-framing and streamlining complex medical information so it is easily digestible and actionable for family physicians, patients, and consumers. 

Track your baby’s development

Join now to receive free weekly newsletters tracking your baby’s development and yours throughout your pregnancy.
Trying to conceive?
By registering you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy policy. We use your information to send you emails, product samples, and promotions on this website and other properties. We use your health information to make our site even more helpful.