In the eastern maritime province of New Brunswick, a new regulation has come into force on Moncton skating rinks.
With a population of just under 70-thousand, Moncton is the province’s second largest city. As of January 1, all skaters using the city’s public rinks for recreation must wear a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved hockey or ski helmet, regardless of age or skill level.
Previously only skaters age 12 and under were obliged to wear helmets.
Realizing the difficulty in enforcing the new law at outdoor rinks, for now it applies to indoor rinks.
There are other exceptions, such as figure skaters registered with Skate Canada or participants in sanctioned figure skating competitions.
While some residents agree with the new policy, many feel it’s going a little too far in the name of safety.
A writer for the National Post newspaper, Matt Gurney, somewhat tongue in cheek, wrote that the next step for Moncton will be to make life vests a requirement when swimming in city pools.
He added, “Moncton is now effectively deeming every citizen to be in as much need of the state’s protection as a child just learning to skate. This is infantilizing to all who enjoy hitting the ice for a free skate now and then, and Monctonians should have no part of it.”
Jocelyn Cohoon, director of leisure services for Moncton says because the new policy is not a law, but rather a city regulation. people won’t be fined for not wearing a regulation helmet, but they won’t be allowed to skate in public arenas without one.
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