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I know there is a legal age requirement for leaving children at home alone. Is it the same age to leave a child unattended in a vehicle? I am talking about leaving them in safe conditions (a/c on in warm weather, doors locked, etc.).  
 
I'm just wondering if there is actually a law in regards to this. From what I've found from Google, there is no actual law in Canada, just basically common-sense guidelines. Maybe it's easy to find and my Google skills just need some work, so if that's the case, thanks in advance for helping with my lack of computer skills! Lol  
 
And before any negative comments are made towards me, I'm asking purely out of curiosity after a discussion I had with some co-workers. I haven't seen any young children left in vehicles and I myself don't leave my children alone in a vehicle.

Lots of people leave their kids in the vehicle while they quikly run into the store. If a child is in a car seat with the 5 point harness they cant get out, i always shut the vehicle off and started it with the remote so it cant be put into gear and make sure the doors are locked, heat /ac on or window cracked. Once they are using the lap belt its much safer to take them in with you since they can get out themselves. I think 2-3 minutes is fine now if its longer take them with you. If your easily distracted you might want to take them in to.  
 
Common sense goes along ways, some people are totally lacking it these days.

To somebody I know and it was called “child endangerment”. So there might not be a specific law per say, but it does fall under that.

Viv said "To somebody I know and it was called “child endangerment”. So there might not be a specific law per say, but it does fall under that. "

Ah, that makes sense. In the one article I read, it said that police can use their judgment, so I'm guessing that's where the child endangerment laws would come into effect.  
 
Still interested to hear though if there is a more specific law anyone knows of.

Now, I'm not against this at all. I was always left in the vehicle, for those quick run-ins. And I'm not that old. Those who cry and worry like their kids are going to explode, melt, die, freeze, perish, disintegrate, and then some, got their head in the clouds. It's totally fine.  
Obviously doors locked, cracked windows for a breeze, and radio on for some company. Leave it running? Well, I know if I said that for something, someone would try and cry the blues about running vehicles and the ozone. So for that reason, and for the ridiculousness of if, I say no to that. Scorching heat like we've had, sure, but those 70 - 75 degree days we get, you know, the ones that are just perfect. No. Never. They're not going to over-heat, or die, maybe sweat, a bit. MAYBE? But it's not good to idle with the air conditioner on for said conditions. More engine hours, more load/work on your engine (simply at idle, not R.P.M.s like when driving), and a waste of gas

Just use common sense. We were left in the vehicle many times as kids. We are still alive.  
My older two kids are more than old enough to wait for me to run in somewhere for less than 10 minutes or so. My younger two are completely fine if I am running in somewhere where I can see the vehicle the whole time. I would not leave my younger two at all if I could not see the vehicle, ie. at a grocery store or walmart or something. If I am parked right in front of the dry cleaner or something, and I'm literally running in for like 2 minutes, no way I am hauling them in for that.  
If you want to go shopping somewhere where you don't feel like having your children along with you, then I would suggest making arrangements so the kids don't have to come with you at all. I for one hate grocery shopping with 4 kids in tow, so I just wait until my husband is home in the evenings if at all possible.

Manitoba law states a child must be 12 years old to be left unattended, or have "reasonable" provisions made for supervision and safety of the child (Paraphrasing). I'm not certain what constitutes "reasonable" with regards to your scenario, though.

Super agree with you about common sense. However we had this conversation a few weeks ago with friends and one friend made the argument that older kids could unbuckle themselves, unlock doors and get out or put the vehicle into drive if the keys were left in. Where babies/toddlers the worse that’s going to happen is that they cry until their parent comes back. I agreed with you before about leaving older kids in the vehicle, using common sense and what not. After hearing that argument I think I side with my coworker. It’s a good topic to talk about either way, kids safety is always important. Sometimes it comes down to common sense, but some parents don’t seem to have much common sense these days either.

Viv said "Super agree with you about common sense. However we had this conversation a few weeks ago with friends and one friend made the argument that older kids could unbuckle themselves, unlock doors and get out or put the vehicle into drive if the keys were left in. Where babies/toddlers the worse that’s going to happen is that they cry until their parent comes back. I agreed with you before about leaving older kids in the vehicle, using common sense and what not. After hearing that argument I think I side with my coworker. It’s a good topic to talk about either way, kids safety is always important. Sometimes it comes down to common sense, but some parents don’t seem to have much common sense these days either. "

You just have to know your own kids. If you feel your child is the type that would unbuckle, unlock doors, put vehicle in gear, etc. Then use your best judgment and don’t not leave them unattended. My second child, especially, is extremely responsible, and I would never worry about her doing any of those things. Both our older kids are trustworthy like that. I can see our little ones being a little more adventurous as they get older, so I may feel differently about appropriate ages for them to be left unattended. Just will have to use my best judgement as a parent, as we all should. As long as your child is not in danger, don’t let anyone judge you either.

Ok, so the above statement about older kids, is I guess possible. But holy cow! If you've got 5 - 10 year old kids (older, as in old enough to figure out buckles, locks, and keys), and they have the desire, the interest, and the lack of intelligence to get out of the car, randomly, or attempt to move, start, or even drive the car, just simply "because they're kids", then they should not be left alone to use the bath-room. When I was 5, I know 110% I would never just randomly get out, mess around, or try to move the vehicle. Why? Who would want to? If these things, or similar, are a worry for you, that your young ones may try these things, then you need to parent better, I tell you, because it's not their fault, if at 5, they don't see hopping out in a busy parking lot, or trying to drive a vehicle they know nothing about as a huge "no-no". People, raise your kids better

You must be the best parents ever who has never made a mistake. Even the most behaved children can mess up now and again... they are kids!

I remember a few weeks ago I stopped at a local gas station and was informed by the attendant I had to go inside to to prepay for my fuel, I was literally a couple minutes max as no one else was waiting at the till and I could see my vehicle from the store windows. I even had the windows down on my vehicle. My kids have almost a 10 year age gap and both of them were in the vehicle laughing and giggling at each other. In the short few minutes I was inside, I came out to some lady who was parked a few pumps over taking pictures of my vehicle (license plate) and telling me she was going to call cfs and report me for leaving my children "unattended" and that it's against the law to do so.  
 
Needless to say with how bubble wrapped society has become, I won't be risking leaving my kids unattended for nothing. You never know who is going to try cause grief in your life.

Yup you will read about yourself on here if you take your screaming kid inside a store as "What kind of parent would bring a screaming kid into the store." and if you leave them in the car...You again will read about "What kind of parent would leave their child in a vehicle alone." Thank God I am through with that stage now. It sucks that it takes a village to raise a child cause the population of idiots exceeds ones with sense in them.

These people who threaten to call CFS are pathetic people who dont have a brain in their head.  
 
Go ahead call CFS and the kids will be taken out of a loving home and put into a foster home away from family and friends. Many are abused and mistreated in the system. They are pawned off from foster home to foster home if they are to much trouble. And why... because they think a happy child left in the back of a comfortable vehicle for a few minutes is somehow mistreating them.

Concern is only if someone crashes into the vehicle.. and there’s no one there to help the kids.

So, the last 4 messages on here are GREAT. These people get it. Just like one of the first guys, calling people dumb snitches, and that's exactly what it is. I feel bad for you BooBoo; sorry that happened to you. People like that are awful, and have this paranoid "yet very attending and caring" attitude, and it just sugar-coats everything

From the assumptions/comments already made on this thread, I know I’ll get backlash for this comment but just to clarify, I believe leaving a child under 12 years old in the vehicle unattended would be illegal in MB according to the CFS Act.  
 
17(1). For purposes of this Act, a child is in need of protection where the life, health or emotional well-being of the child is endangered by the act or omission of a person.  
Illustrations of child in need.  
17(2). Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), a child is in need of protection where the child...  
(g) being under the age of 12 years, is left unattended and without reasonable provision being made for the supervision and safety of the child.  
 
https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c080e.php  
 
Adam, my thoughts are you may want to shut down this thread as it shares a lot of inaccurate assumptions/comments about what is acceptable/legal in MB and is about to go even more sideways when some of the above commenters start blasting me for sharing this link/information.

If you're running into a gas station/7-11 and can see your vehicle, fine. If you're running into Sobeys/Superstore, take them with you.  
 
I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old.

Manitoba law states a child must be 12 years old to be left unattended, or have "reasonable" provisions made for supervision and safety of the child.  
 
Can you provide a link? Thought the age in Manitoba was 11???

There is a table in this report that states the age of a child left at home and in a vehicle.  
 
http://cwrp.ca/sites/default/files/publications/en/144e.pdf

I think you must have missed the link in my above post. I provided a link below the copy and pasted wording (specifying age 12) directly from the MB government CFS statute/act page. You can likely use the ‘find’ feature on your phone or computer to locate the correct section instead of having to scroll.  
 
Here is the link again:  
https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c080e.php

campfire3 said "From the assumptions/comments already made on this thread, I know I’ll get backlash for this comment but just to clarify, I believe leaving a child under 12 years old in the vehicle unattended would be illegal in MB according to the CFS Act.     17(1). For purposes of this Act, a child is in need of protection where the life, health or emotional well-being of the child is endangered by the act or omission of a person.   Illustrations of child in need.   17(2). Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), a child is in need of protection where the child...   (g) being under the age of 12 years, is left unattended and without reasonable provision being made for the supervision and safety of the child.     https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c080e.php     Adam, my thoughts are you may want to shut down this thread as it shares a lot of inaccurate assumptions/comments about what is acceptable/legal in MB and is about to go even more sideways when some of the above commenters start blasting me for sharing this link/information. "

No need to shut down the thread. You are not going to get blasted, but I would like to point out you are wrong.  
 
People can leave kids in cars, if they are running into a store and can still see them for example, because that is called “indirect supervision”, it is perfectly legal, and All daycares even have it written into their policies.  
 
So your quote on the legality is wrong, and children are safe being left in their car seats while the parent goes in to pay.

Over 20 years ago my brother in law left his two toddlers in the car when he went into a store. Left car running (can't remember if it was because it was hot or cold outside) They got out of their seats. Pushed the car into gear just like they saw their dad did. The car went forward and slammed into another car. Luckily the kids weren't hurt.  
 
Police came. He was marked down as the driver for the accident and got fined for that. Then he got a ticket for leaving his kids in the car. especially when it was running.  
 
So, perhaps a bit of discretion.  
 
further to the lady who had a woman taking pictures of her car and kids and said she would report you to CFS. It is not permitted by law to take pictures of any kids that are not yours unless you have permission of the parents. Which as you were strangers she didn't have.  
 
Perhaps calling her on that would have made her think of her own actions instead of sticking her nose in.

campfire3 said "I think you must have missed the link in my above post. I provided a link below the copy and pasted wording (specifying age 12) directly from the MB government CFS statute/act page. You can likely use the ‘find’ feature on your phone or computer to locate the correct section instead of having to scroll.     Here is the link again:   https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c080e.php "

I followed the link, searched vehicle and zero came up. There is a difference between leaving a child at home and in a vehicle. Where in the act does is specify vehicle. I cant seem to find it

I was under the understanding that it’s implied in that section of the Act but if you want to know forsure you should call BPS or CFS to clarify the law (or what’s at the discretion of the officer or CFS, if ever reported).  
 
Just to add, I’ve never reported anyone (I’m fairly oblivious in a parking lot actually), I just thought I would relay what was told to me and where that info was found.

axana596 said "    campfire3 said "From the assumptions/comments already made on this thread, I know I’ll get backlash for this comment but just to clarify, I believe leaving a child under 12 years old in the vehicle unattended would be illegal in MB according to the CFS Act.     17(1). For purposes of this Act, a child is in need of protection where the life, health or emotional well-being of the child is endangered by the act or omission of a person.   Illustrations of child in need.   17(2). Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), a child is in need of protection where the child...   (g) being under the age of 12 years, is left unattended and without reasonable provision being made for the supervision and safety of the child.     https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c080e.php     Adam, my thoughts are you may want to shut down this thread as it shares a lot of inaccurate assumptions/comments about what is acceptable/legal in MB and is about to go even more sideways when some of the above commenters start blasting me for sharing this link/information. " No need to shut down the thread. You are not going to get blasted, but I would like to point out you are wrong.     People can leave kids in cars, if they are running into a store and can still see them for example, because that is called “indirect supervision”, it is perfectly legal, and All daycares even have it written into their policies.     So your quote on the legality is wrong, and children are safe being left in their car seats while the parent goes in to pay. "

I agree... that Act speaks on a child being left "unattended and without reasonable provision being made for the supervision and safety of the child."  
 
For example, suppose I am running in to use an ATM and can clearly see my vehicle the entire time. It's a nice 20 degree day, windows cracked a bit, doors on vehicle locked. My child is in a 5-point harness he is unable to get out of himself. In my opinion, he's safe. Come to think of it, he is probably more safe there than walking through the parking lot with me, since we could get hit by a car. In the car seat, he has some protection at least should my vehicle be hit by another vehicle.  
 
To me, it's the same difference as leaving a child in the house for a second while you run out to grab your wallet or groceries or whatever from your car parked in the driveway. It could be argued that leaving them in the house for those 5 seconds is actually more unsafe, as they aren't confined to a car seat.

I did it myself when my kids were small didn’t even think about it. Unless it was in a place like a Walmart parking lot I won’t even think of reporting it. But in that situation you know a person has just run in for a moment.  
 
There are dangers of strangers taking your child. Plus in the states a number of years ago I remember reading how the parent went inside the house left the child in car and a tree fell killing the child. I know that is an extreme example but anything can happen.  
 
If I thought there was any type of danger I would call police and report. I just couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t and something happened.

Reasonable provision for supervision i:ncludes indirect supervision as the earlier poster stated. It's the same thing with children playing in the other room, or walking to school by themselves. If it is appropriate to the age and development of the child, and reasonable, and you have a good idea of where the child is and how long for, that is up to you. You have to use common sense, and use care when allowing children to grow in independence.  
 
Gas stations are a tricky one, I'm a fan of Co-op, they pump your gas, you don't even have to get out of the car yourself lol

as long as they are in a place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

To clarify, I don't believe the person took photos of my children. They were crouched behind my vehicle taking a photo of the license plate area and I'm assuming the make and model of what I was driving. Either way, I didn't engage with the woman, I didn't see a point in arguing with some stranger over it. I'm just going to take what she said and use it as a lesson not to leave my kids unattended in that situation again. Not worth the hassle for me.