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De Patie family wants Grant's Law to span country

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B.C's law is named after Grant De Patie

The family of a man killed in a gas-and-dash in Maple Ridge hopes the recent death of gas attendant in Mississauga prompts Ontario to follow B.C. and enact pay-before-you-pump legislation.

For the past six years, Doug De Patie has lobbied labour ministers across the country to adopt Grant’s Law, but says his efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

“I pleaded with them, but they were complacent and indifferent,” said De Patie.

“They are to blame for this death. They are going to have to take some responsibility for their inaction.”

In May, Hashem Atifeh Rad was dragged by a car while attempting to stop a man from driving off without paying for $75 in gas at a Petro Canada in Mississauga.

The 62-year-old died in hospital the next day. Police have yet to arrest the driver.

B.C. introduced legislation in 2008, requiring drivers to pre-pay for all gas purchases 24 hours a day, and for gas stations to have two staff on shift or to protect staff working alone with locked doors or a barrier, after years of lobbying by the De Patie family.

Grant De Patie was dragged to his death in 2005 trying to stop a teenage driver who had stolen $12 worth of gas.

His father continues to keep a close eye on gas station robberies across the country and vows to continue lobbying provinces until Grant’s Law spans the country.

“I have no choice but to follow the carnage,” he said.

The Alberta Association of Police Chiefs called for similar pre-pay legislation earlier this month, saying officers spend too much time investigating gas thefts.