Parachute advocates for changes to regulations and laws that will help prevent Canadians from suffering serious and fatal injuries.

Parachute’s policy priorities

Falls prevention

Falls are the leading cause of reduced longevity and high healthcare costs among older adults. For the first time, there are more Canadians over the age of 65 than under 19, so it is becoming even more important to prevent falls among older adults. Policies that focus on ensuring a safe environment and support activity enable older adults to maintain their independence, health and fitness.

Motor vehicle collisions

These are a leading cause of preventable injury and death in Canada. Effective policies, standards and legislation relating to the built environment and enforcement mechanisms will reduce injury and improve Canadians’ safety on the road, whether they are motorists, passengers, cyclists or pedestrians.

Home safety

From falls through open windows to the strangulation danger from corded window coverings, our homes and the products we use can be built differently to prevent injury, especially in young children. The home is also a place where dangerous products such as medication and cleaning products are found and poisoning is a much larger public health issue than is generally recognized, with children being particularly at risk of unintentional poisoning.

Sports and recreation

Preventing injuries and keeping Canadians active go hand in hand. Policies for sport and recreation related injuries focuses on managing the risks that can often occur during sports, such as protocols for managing concussions, mandatory wearing of personal flotation devices and bike helmets for all ages. 

Parachute is leading the way

  • We focus on community activation, building awareness and delivering solutions.
  • We share leading practices and policy models that have a proven impact on injury reduction.
  • We are guided by an evidence-based framework for injury prevention that serves as a guide for federal, provincial, territorial and local policy makers.
  • We build capacity within organizations and communities, supporting widespread adoption of public policy in priority areas. 

Parachute has continuing relationships with federal government ministries such as Health (including Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada), Transportation and Sport. We serve on several federal and national committees, including:

A dozen people sit around a boardroom table looking at the one man who is standing and talking, the Rt. Hon. David Johnston, Governor General of Canada
Parachute staff at a Sport Canada F-P/T Working Group meeting with the Rt. Hon. David Johnston, then Governor General of Canada.
  • Sport Canada Federal-Provincial/Territorial Working Group on Concussions in Sport: This working group is composed of representatives from Sport Canada, PHAC, several provincial and territorial ministries responsible for concussion, and national organizations such as Hockey Canada, Coaching Association of Canada, along with representatives from several National Sport Organizations.
  • ASTM: Parachute serves as an affiliate member on the Committee on Consumer Products.

Parachute’s policy work in action

Examples of Parachute’s recent efforts to inform policy include:

2023

  • Development of child passenger safety legislation recommendations in collaboration with the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada, Child Safety Link and multi-sectoral partners.

2022

  • Development of ATV legislation recommendations in collaboration with multi-sectoral partners.
  • Participation in Coroner reviews of sledding and e-bike injury deaths.
  • Consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on a potential building code change regarding horizontal railings.

2021

  • Presentation to the Canadian Marine Advisory Council Standing Committee on Recreational Boating recommending amendments to the Small Vessel Regulations to require mandatory life-jacket wearing.

2020

  • Testimony at the Office of the Chief Coroner Ontario Inquest into a pediatric ATV death.

2018

  • Testimony at the public hearings for Bill 193, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety).
  • Consultation with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario on increased distracted driving penalties and safe school zones legislation.
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