Debates of March 18, 2004 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in June of 2003, the last Assembly approved amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act and put some teeth into the existing legislation. The changes allowed for tougher sanctions aimed at getting impaired drivers off the road, and encouraging drivers with alcohol dependency issues to get help. The amendments allowed the registrar of Motor Vehicles to require individuals convicted of impaired driving offences to participate in drug awareness education programs before their licence would be reinstated. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation, does the Minister intend to implement the amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, approved in the House last June? Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is quite correct. The former Minister of Transportation presented a bill to the Legislative Assembly in February of 2003. The bill was passed in June of 2003, and the department planned for the legislative changes to come into force early in 2004, and the introduction of regulations to the novice driver program in 2005. However, the funding for implementation and ongoing support is reduced; therefore, we have deferred the bill coming into effect. The amendments to the bill include strengthening the roadside prevention provisions and introducing an automatic 90-day suspension, provide for impoundment of vehicles while suspended, and require an offender as a condition of licence renewal reinstatement to purchase an impaired driving assessment package.

Mr. Speaker, we do not have included a requirement for the driver to take an education program, there is no education component. However, we do have, as part of the impaired driving package, a requirement to do a medical assessment and that is the extent of the legislation. We plan to have this legislation in place by January of 2005. We have identified our revenues and we are confident we will put them in place. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that update. I would like to know, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider asking the registrar to require mandatory participation in a drug and alcohol awareness program before their licence is reinstated? I don’t believe this is something that would have to be included in legislation. This is something that could be introduced as a policy. Would the Minister consider asking the registrar to require that on a mandatory basis? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated just now, the legislation requires a driver to obtain a driver’s medical assessment. We will consider, however, the suggestion made by the Member to have an education component and also to make it mandatory. It may be something we will consider incorporating in this legislation. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In considering that, the Minister may also wish to take into account that these types of programs are not available in smaller centres and would probably require a mobile awareness program, so it would require some financial resources. With the upcoming prospect of these new regulations being put in place, I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider looking for and identifying funds which could finance this. It is easier to send people for such an awareness program if it is available in their community, but obviously it is probably only available in a few communities on a formal basis, but it could be done very easily as a mobile program. So could the Minister commit to trying to identify financial resources to back up such a program? Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the mandatory requirement was something that was considered when this legislation was being drafted. It is something that other provinces and jurisdictions have in place. We had considered it. The difficulty with this whole concept was the limited facilities and programs that we have now. We will take it upon ourselves to look at what the options are on how we can accommodate the amendment that the Member is suggesting. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another aspect of this mandatory education awareness program might be for somebody who is knowledgeable in such a program to actually go into the small communities and train someone or some agency within that community to deliver that, as opposed to sending people into the community to do it. It could be something that could be added on to an already existing function within the community; sort of a train-the-trainer type program. Would the Minister seek out the curriculum or format of these programs and see if it would be viable to train people in the small communities to deliver this on behalf of those requiring it with suspended driver’s licences? Thank you.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will certainly take the recommendation from the Member very seriously. We will look at the curriculum that is required. We also have to look at the cost of implementing this whole concept. We also have to look at the availability of resources. So we will certainly commit to that. Thank you.