News

Skiers taking to the slopes in Quebec may soon be required to wear ski helmets if new proposals are given the go ahead.

According to CBC News, sport and leisure minister Michelle Courchesne is considering a new law that would make the headwear compulsory from next year.

She said the requirement would apply to children up to the age of 12, although it could be extended to cover skiers of all ages and abilities.

Nicolas Elazhary, an emergency room doctor in Sherbrooke, has backed Ms Courchesne's calls for a full ban on skiing without a helmet.

"If we look at the population that is older than 25 years of age, only 50 per cent wear the helmets," he said, adding: "I think the law should go all the way and include everybody."

Doctors in Quebec have claimed that 60 per cent of head injuries sustained by those taking part in winter sports could be avoided by wearing protective headgear.

Last month, a Polish politician suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident in Austria, the Press Association reported.

Marek Nawara was not wearing a helmet at the time and is said to be in a critical condition in hospital.