Van safety bill recalls 8 N.B. deaths

The mother of one of seven New Brunswick basketball players killed in a van crash in 2008 is in Ottawa to support abill thatwould ban the use of 15-passenger vansby schools.

Isabelle Hains'slocal MP, Yvon Godin, is scheduled to table a private members bill Thursday to imposea cross-Canada ban on school use of suchvans.

"This is another step in the right direction for student safety," said Hains.

Seven members of the Bathurst High School basketball team and the wife of the coach, who was also a teacher at the school, were killed after their 15-passenger vehicle collided with a truck on a snow-covered highway just outsideof their hometown on Jan. 12, 2008.

Within days of the accident, New Brunswickbannedthe use of the vans by schools.

'I know in my heart that what happened to them that night could have been, and should have been, prevented.' Isabelle Hains, mother of Daniel Hains

The 15-passenger vans had already been banned in several Americanstates because ofsafety concerns. They havebeen known to roll over in crashes.

"I know in my heart that what happened to them that night could have been, and should have been, prevented and the children are saying now, 'Dont let this happen again,'" saidthe mother of Daniel Hains.

Bill called wake-up call

A coroners inquest made several recommendations, including making winter tires mandatory and banning the vans for student travel across the country.

Godin, NDP MP for Acadie-Bathurst,said his "Boys in Red" bill,referring to thebasketball players' uniforms,will be introduced Thursday afternoonin the Commons and he hopes its a wake-up call for the federal government.

Hes hoping the minority Conservative government will support the bill quickly. Godin and Hains will lobby other MPs and senators to get the bill passed.

"Im not asking to intervene in provincial jurisdiction, but the federal [government] is responsible to make sure any vehicle travelling in the country is a safe vehicle and they have that right to legislate," said Godin.

"They could have this [bill] done by September if they want to," said Hains. "These are our children. Children that depend on adults to keep them safe."