The Province of Ontario and Enforcement of
the New Federal Drug-Impaired Driving Laws

MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie applauded the Ontario Government’s recent clarification regarding the enforcement of the new federal impaired driving law in the Province. “It is good news to know that Ontario roads will be policed the same as other jurisdictions across Canada and that the McGuinty Government will enforce the new drug-impaired driving law of the land,” says Mr. Murie.

Recently, Margaret Miller, MADD Canada’s National President accompanied federal Justice Minister Robert Nicholson in a  press conference to herald the enactment of Bill C-2 - the new law federal Tackling Violent Crime Act.  At the press conference in late June, Mrs. Miller stated:  “The new federal laws will help make our roads a safer place and will save lives.”

However, on the Canada Day holiday weekend there were reports in the media that the Ontario Government’s Centre of Forensic Sciences was not going to support the new police authority to test samples in the charging of drug-impaired drivers. MADD Canada immediately sent correspondence to the Premier and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services expressing concern for this ill-conceived decision.

On Friday, July 18, MADD Canada was sent notices that confirm Ontario is supporting the new drug-impaired provisions of the federal law. The Centre of Forensic Sciences is, in fact, testing drivers’ samples and Ontario police are enforcing the new impaired driving laws to curb drugs and driving.

For more information on the new law, visit Justice Canada’s website.

For further information or background from MADD Canada, call/e-mail:

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada’s CEO
1-800-665-6233, ext. 224 or amurie@madd.ca