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Mr. McMurtry does not believe the available evidence concerning alcohol related deaths by young drivers is su [- t'iciently persuasive to warrant rais» ing the legal age to 21 years, At this particular time he believes the cm- phasis of his efforts on this issue be on the societal attitudes toward drinking and driving. Enclosed wasd an eight page copy it‘a statement made by The Honour- ‘lble Roy McMurtry. on a discussion taper from the Premier's intermin- «[ry Task Force on Drinking and Driving, September l, I983. Resolution 5. Re â€" Seat belt buckle release system. this resolution was sent to the Min- ~ter of Transport, The Honourable i)on Mazankowski. The reply to this Resolution came Vrom Mr. Doug Eyford. Special \ssistant, at the request of the vlinister of Transport Mr. Malari- .owski. He stated that our Resolu- ion was to be commended and its incrit is certainly recognized. At the tresent time there are basically two ypes of seat buckle release systems ‘ommonly installed in automobiles old in North America. The standard tush button in the majority of new ms is located at the side of the tuckle which is attached to a flexible talk that connects to the floor an- horage. Those with a push button -n the top or the back of a fixed teceptacle are common in a number if imported cars from Europe and iapan. A few older systems use a everâ€"operated device. All of these ystems meet mandatory require- nents for strength and release tressure as set down in the Canada vlotor Vehicle Safety Standards. The tandards mandate a push button 'elease action, although they purâ€" posely do not restrict the design of ’he release mechanism in order to enâ€" .ourage automobile manufacturers to .leveEOp more convenient and im- proved seat belt systems, which suit particular seat construction in dif- ierent models. While a standardized nuckle release would be easier to ban- tlle for occupants who are not fami- liar with a particular installation, this, however, could limit the development of improved seat belt systems and in some cases would also be less convenient. Studies recently concluded by TranSport Canada safe- ly engineers show that these systems work well and have not been a con- tributory factor in accidents, in» cluding those in which vehicles were inverted. The federal gowrnment will continue to closely monitor this im portant area of transportation safety. Resolution (L RE â€" Alcohol LL59 among adolescents and the need for more effective controls on alcohol availability. This resolution was Forwarded to the Minister ofEducation. The Honour; able Bette Stephenson, MD: the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada, The Honourable Michel Cote; the Minister of Health. The Honourable Keith C. Norton and the Minister of National Health and Welfare, The Honourable Jake Epp. Replies have been received from each Ministry. The Honourable Keith C. Norton, the current Minister of Education, has replied for his predecessor. The Honourable Bette Stephenson, MD. Mr. Norton shares the concern of Federated Women's Institutes of On- tario about youthful alcohol abuse. Concern for the incidence ofalcohol and drug abuse has resulted in an in- creased emphasis on drug education in the ministry‘s guidelines for school curriculum and programs. The minisâ€" try has also coâ€"operated with the Ad- diction Rcsearch Foundation and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to stimulate and provide support to effective proâ€" grams in education about alcohol and other drugs. Mr. Michel Cote. Minister of Con, sumer and Corporate Affairs. replied that the Resolution did not fall within the mandate of his department. Re, sponsibiiity for safeguarding the health of our young does fall within the Ontario Ministry of Health. the Ontario Ministry of Education and Health and Welfare Canada. How- ever, Mr. Cote did wish us success in this worthwhile endeavour. in his reply as Minister of Health, Mr. Norton stated that his ministry and the Ministry of Education have collaborated on the production of an alcohol education kit for use in grades 7 and 8. Additionally, a travelling theatre show called Health Spell is performed in schools. The purpose of the show is to provide students with information regarding smoking, alcohol and other lifestyle concerns. The Addiction Research Foundaâ€" tion is funded by the Ministry of Health and has just prodUCed a video tape with accompanying teaching materials which is now being used in the schools. Entitled. Me and My Friends and Booze, the program is directed at the 13 to 18 year-old age group. Two video presentations targetted at 8 to 12 ycar-olds are now being tested and will likely be available in schools by Aprti of [his year. The Minister of National Health and Welfare, Mr. Epp shares ottr concern with regard to the seriom problems which are being experi- enced due to the excessive use of alcohol among young people. His Department, through its national media campaign (Dialogue on Drink- ing). has focusscd on the reduction of excessive alcohol use among people in the 15-29 age bracket. Drinking and driving is a major theme of this campaign. Mr. Epp further slatcd that he thinks it important that there be no further relaxation of alcohol control regulations which might fur- ther increase alcohol availability. Much of the authority to regulate the control of beverage alcohol lies within provincial jurisdiction. With this in mind, we are considering efâ€" forts to gain C0»0pera[i0n of our pro- vincial counterparts in reviewing the feasibility of introducing control measures that might. to some extent at least, curb excessive alcohol conâ€" sumption in Canada. in his concluding statement Mr. Epp said, “I am aware that it would not be feasible to introduce any such new regulations without a wide measure of public support. It is for this reason that I regard the action taken by the Federated Women‘s ln- stitutes of Ontario as being par» ticularly important and valuable. I commend your organization for its concern and action on this very imr portant matter“. Resolution 7. Re A Pornography in all forms. This resolution was forwarded to the Attorney General. The Honourable Roy McMurtry and the Minister of Communications The Honourable Marcel Masse. Mr. Michael Leshner, Counsel, replied for the Attorney General. He stated that Mr. McMurtry has taken a strong public pOsition in favor of special provisions in the Criminal Code to deal with child pornography. Changes in the Theatres Act which is administered by the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations H St C Summer ‘85 9