A CBC public forum

The deaths of two young people have lent an urgency to what started earlier this year as a standard review of the province's rules regarding the use of ATVs.

The first hearings were held in February, with more talk about the use of ATVs on the farm than for recreation. On P.E.I, there are about 7,000 ATVs that provide Islanders with countless hours of enjoyment.

But recent accidents, including the deaths of an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy in separate incidents, have people asking if it is safe for young people to ride ATVs. Legislative committee hearings are continuing this month, and CBC Prince Edward Island is inviting you to join the debate.

CBC.ca has put together this feature to get the debate started, with information on ATV regulations across the country, a discussion of statistics and youth rules on ATVs and an Atlantic Canada ATV news archive.

There is also a place for you to join the debate right now. Click the Your View button in the menu on the right hand side of this page.

CBC Public Forum:
Should kids under 16 be allowed to drive ATVs on P.E.I.?

Invited Guests:
Gary Ballum, president, Western P.E.I. ATV Club
Barry Gavin, Islander with certification to teach ATV safety
Wes MacAleer, chair, legislative committee looking into the ATV use on P.E.I.
Sandy MacDonald, superintendant, Eastern School District
Bob Ramsay, president, Canadian ATV Distributors Council
Gail Shea, P.E.I. Minister Transportation and Public Works
Dr. David Wong, Summerside pediatrician
Dr. Natalie Yanchar, Medical Director, IWK Hospital Trauma Centre

 

From CBC Radio One:

Invited guests and members of the public

Highlights

Both sides were passionate on the issue, and middle ground was hard to find, as these exerpts show. (runs 17:41)

 

 

Transportation Minister Gail Shea

Highlights

Wes MacAleer, chair of the legislative committee looking into ATV use in P.E.I., and Transportation Minister Gail Shea present some of their thoughts on the issue to the meeting. (runs 4:55)

 

 

L to R: Gary Ballem and Wes MacAleer

Highlights

Gary Ballem, president of the Western P.E.I. ATV Club, tries to get Wes MacAleer to commit to a new trail system for ATVs. ATV salesman Tim Kember and Gail Shea join the discussion.. (runs 3:28)

 

 

L to R: Dr. Natalie Yanchar and Bob Ramsay

Highlights

Bob Ramsay, president of the Canadian ATV Distributors Council, and Dr. Natalie Yanchar debate the relative safety of bicycles and ATVs. (runs 4:11)

 

 

From CBC News at Six:

Invited guests of the CBC Public Forum

Highlights

An overview of the debate at the public forum, as seen on the News at Six (runs 8:03)

 

A CBC public forum: Youth and ATVs

Mitchell Gallant died while riding his ATV near Souris on March 9.
The CBC's Pat Martel talks to his mother about why she still lets his twin brother ride an ATV (runs 7:16).

 

The CBC Steven D'Souza talks to government and communities about how regulations regarding ATVs in the province should change (runs 7:27).