Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has introduced major changes to the country’s impaired driving laws including provisions that will allow for mandatory roadside alcohol screening and new criminal offences for driving while high.Impaired driving happens to be the leading cause of criminal death and injury in Canada.
The legislation introduced will allow police to demand a driver provide an ‘oral fluid sample’ — saliva, if they suspect a driver is drug impaired. A positive reading could lead to further testing, including a blood test, to determine whether a criminal offence has been committed.
THC is the primary psychoactive found in cannabis.A driver who is found to have 2 nanograms but less than five nanograms of THC per millilitre of blood could face a maximum fine of up to $1,000.
A driver who has a blood level of more than 5 nanograms of THC, or has been drinking alcohol and smoking pot at the same time, will face a fine and the possibility of jail time.
In more serious cases, a drug-impaired driver could face up to 10 years if convicted.