Premier Ford wants to instate the measures as part of his crime bill which will be tabled later this month.
The Ontario government is exploring the idea of making impaired drivers pay ongoing child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian.
The move is being considered as part of a legislative package the government plans to introduce at Queen’s Park in the coming weeks.
Speaking during Question Period Tuesday, Attorney General Doug Downey said the loss of a parent can have far-reaching consequences for minor dependants.
“The devastating impact reaches far beyond the immediate loss. It leaves a child struggling, both emotionally and financially,” Downey said.
He said that while family members are currently able to sue impaired drivers in civil court, that’s not enough.
“Additional measures such as requiring a convicted impaired driver to pay financial support would strengthen accountability and help ensure children receive meaningful support in the wake of such tragedies,” Downey said.
The new law would apply to impaired drivers, whether they were under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
According to the province, there were 182 deaths caused by impaired driving on Ontario roads in 2021, including 96 drinking and driving deaths and 86 that were due to drugs.
The government says the move could be similar to a 2023 Texas law that requires impaired drivers convicted of “intoxication manslaughter” to pay child support until a child turns 18 or graduates high school if their parent or guardian is killed by an impaired driver.
Last year the province introduced a lifetime licence suspension for anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death under the Criminal Code.