May 13, 2007

“Pass Bill C-32 and make your Mothers proud”:  MADD
Organization calls on Parliament to pass impaired driving legislation

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) today made a Mother's Day Wish of federal MPs for Parliament to pass Bill C-32, the Government’s impaired driving legislation. The Bill is currently before the House of Commons Justice Committee and scheduled to begin hearing later this month.

"We are making a Mother's Day wish for Parliament to expeditiously pass this important piece of legislation,” says Karen Dunham, MADD Canada's National President. "MADD Canada's mothers and family members want to put an end to Canadians being senselessly killed and injured in impaired driving crashes. This legislation will make a big difference and we hope it is not held up due to politics."

“What we’re saying to Parliamentarians today is “Pass Bill C-32 and make your Mothers proud,”” says Mrs. Dunham.

MADD Canada supports the legislation because it provides police with tools to detect drug-impaired driver; increases penalties for drug-impaired driving; strengthens presumptions of breath and blood tests; and, promotes awareness about impaired driving. [See MADD Canada’s media release of November 21, 2006].

“This legislation will reduce the incidents of impaired driving in Canada,” explains Mrs. Dunham, “The legislation delivers on the promised drug-impaired driving framework so that police can effectively apprehend and charge drivers who are high on drugs. It goes further to provide important new measures for police at crash scenes and to close legal loopholes that are allowing impaired drivers to escape criminal convictions. The legislation effectively addresses a number of problems with our current situation from roadside apprehensions to the courtroom proceedings.”

In explaining why the organization is making this Mother’s Day Wish, the MADD Canada President states that law-makers are an important part of the equation when it comes to reducing impaired driving deaths and injuries. “Shifts in public attitude and real societal change occur with a mix of public education, proper enforcement of laws, a fair judicial process – and effective legislation that takes advantage of the latest research, experience and information of the crime.”  

"With Bill C-32, Parliamentarians can bring about significant changes to our federal laws that will save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. The severity of the crime warrants MPs take action in the fight against impaired driving,” says Mrs. Dunham.

“Impaired driving is Canada's number one criminal cause of death.  On average, it kills four Canadians each day and seriously injures another 190 daily. MADD Canada keeps harping on these facts because the status quo is just not acceptable."

She adds, "MADD’s membership and supporters will work with Parliamentarians to get this legislation passed. It is our hope that next year, at this time, we might have Bill C-32 enacted into law. That would be a tangible step to improving our country's impaired driving laws and making our roads safer from those who continue to drink or take drugs and drive."

MADD Canada is a grassroots organization with over 100 local Chapters / Community Leaders across Canada and more than 750,000 Canadians who donate annually to the mission of stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime.

For more information, visit www.madd.ca or call:

Karen Dunham, National President @ (506) 635-5800     
Andrew Murie, Chief Executive Officer @ 1-800-665-6233, ext. 224