TORONTO -
A proposal to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in all Ontario homes has received approval in principle from all parties at the legislature.
Progressive Conservative Ernie Hardeman introduced the bill in December -- just a few days after provincial police Const. Laurie Hawkins and her family died from a carbon monoxide leak in their Woodstock home.
If the bill becomes law, all homes would need to have a carbon monoxide detector on every floor.
The bill will now go to a government committee for further discussion, but Hardeman says he hopes it can pass quickly with a few amendments.
Hardeman named the bill the "Hawkins-Gignac Act" in honour of Hawkins, her husband Richard, and their two children.
He says he hopes the bill will serve to remind people of the need for detectors and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Hawkins' hometown of North Bay has also proposed a bylaw that would see carbon monoxide detectors made mandatory in homes.
Private member's bills rarely become law.
