I have had a seatbelt exemption for over 25 years due to how it affects my Crohns Disease. I learned years ago while flying how the pressure of the seatbelt affected me.  We were about to land and I had to go to the bathroom but they would not let me.  I was concerned as to what would happen so I took off my seatbelt and within minutes the pain subsided.  I knew then why I had to stop so many times while driving in a vehicle.  I still have problems while traveling but nothing compared to the time when I wore a seatbelt.

The CMA wrote a Drivers Guide in 2012 stating:..."there are no medical circumstances that justify exemption from wearing a seat belt."  After questioning the CMA, I received correspondence from the author of this statement, Dr Jamie Dow.  I was advised he works in a hospital in Quebec that even allowed for seatbelt exemptions for medical reasons when he wrote this statement.  

The BC government rescinded their seatbelt exemption law in 2014 due to CMA's comment.  In August 2016 they reinstated seatbelt exemptions for  medical reasons for children 8 and under quoting again,  the CMA's above comment in the application. 

The change of the CMA's comment to state there are medical circumstance that justify an exemption from wearing a seatbelt will allow for honesty when providing drivier information to Canadians and those in other countries.  

There are many medical conditions qualifying for a seatbelt exemption.  Almost all of our provincial governments and most other countries allow seatbelt exemptions for medical reasons.  

One cannot obtain a seatbelt exemption without the support of a doctor so the CMA must accept the fact there are medical circumstances that warrant a seatbelt exemption and change the CMA Drivers Guide.

I have been fighting for a life time seatbelt exemption since 2014. The government accepted my application and asked for information to be provided "as soon as possible". I provided all the information required yet now am forced to drive illegally without  a seatbelt as my exemption expired January 17th.  I have filed a Human Rights complaint due to age discrimination but need my seatbelt exemption now. I will not, and cannot subject my body to the problems caused by wearing a seatbelt.