June 17, 2004

Ontarians Divided On BYOW –
Real Concern for Increase in Impaired Driving

Ontarians are divided in their support for the Ontario Government’s new ‘bring your own wine’ (BYOW) to restaurants law. Almost half of the public has concerns for drinking and driving and an increase in impaired driving incidents, according to a recent SES opinion poll commissioned by MADD Canada.

On the question of support for BYOW, the Ontario public was split down the middle. Less than half of Ontarians – 44 % – support the new ‘BYOW’ initiative. That is only slightly more than the 41 % of Ontarians who oppose the initiative.

When asked about their concern for an impact on people who drink and drive, 43 % of Ontarians agreed with MADD Canada that there is a concern for impaired driving – responding that BYOW would ‘increase the number of people who drink and drive’.

“There is a real concern for the increase in impaired driving incidents that will accompany this BYOW law,” says Andrew Murie, National Executive Director for MADD Canada. “We want the Government not to press forward with this isolated policy change and rethinks their agenda to implement a full and comprehensive review of the Province’s liquor laws.”

“The Ontario public is not screaming for BYOW and there isn’t the overwhelming support of 9-1 that Minister Watson suggested at the launch of the Bill,” says Mr. Murie. “If anything, these numbers tell us that the Government needs to proceed with greater caution on these reforms and they must address the public’s concern for drinking and driving.”

“The BYOW legislation shouldn’t be a priority for this Government,” adds Mr. Murie.

MADD Canada is against the BYOW proposal because there will be a higher likelihood that more people will drink much more wine than currently is the case. The organization is urging Consumer and Business Services Minister Jim Watson to review the recommended reforms of the Province’s liquor law taskforce and bring forward a comprehensive liquor law reform package, instead of piecemeal reform initiatives..

The SES poll questions read: ‘As you may know, the Ontario Government is proposing new liquor laws that will allow people to take their own bottles of wine to restaurants. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose a ‘bring your own wine’ policy for restaurants in Ontario?’; and, ‘Do you think a ‘bring your own wine’ policy for restaurants would increase, decrease or have no impact on the number of people who drink and drive?’

The results of the poll: there were 19% of Ontarians that strongly support BYOW; 25% who somewhat support; 14% who somewhat oppose; 27% who strongly oppose; 9 % were unsure on their support/opposition; and, another 7% had no response for the question.

On the second question: there were 43% of Ontarians who felt there would be an increase in the number of people who drink and drive; 2% who felt there would be a decrease in the number of people who drink and drive; 48% who felt there would be ‘no impact’; 6% who were unsure; and, 1% who had no response for the question.

SES polled a random sample of 500 Ontarians, 18 years of age or older, on May 29th and 30th, 2004. The margin of accuracy for the survey is 4.5 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.

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For further information, call:

Andrew Murie
MADD Canada (416) 720-7642

Nik Nanos
SES Research (613) 234-4666