The Conservative government is introducing new standards for child car seats, which they say will make Canada's safety tests among the world's toughest.

"By introducing more rigorous testing, our government is taking action to ensure child car seats provide unequivocal protection to children," Transport Minister John Baird said in a news release.

"By introducing these new testing standards, as well as passing strict street racing laws and introducing legislation to crack down on drug-impaired driving, our government remains steadfast in protecting the lives of Canadians on our roads."

The proposed amendments include a new testing procedure requiring child seats to be tested with a three-point lap/shoulder belt. The government says Canada would be the only country in the world to require such testing.

Brian Patterson of the Ontario Safety League praised the proposed amendments.

"This is an evolution going in the right direction. Canada's been in the lead for some time," he told CTV News Channel Saturday afternoon.

Patterson said child seats are substantially safer for children than a standard car seat.

"It's about eight times safer in booster seats," he said.

Patterson also said manufacturers will respond quickly to the new testing and could probably have new child seats ready by the end of the year.