drinking

Wednesday December 19, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday December 19, 2018

December 19, 2018

What you should know about Canada’s new impaired driving laws

Canada’s new impaired driving laws come into force this week, and they change both what officers can ask for and what you can be charged with. 

But the core message from police remains the same: if you’re driving, don’t drink or consume cannabis. And if you’re going to do either, plan for another way home. 

August 13, 2018

“The big message is, there’s no change to the general public. Impaired driving, in all its forms, is illegal,” said Sgt. Sean Harding, the head of the London police traffic management unit. 

“It’s against the law to drink and drive and it’s against the law to consume drugs and drive. We need to make sure drivers have a plan to get home. If you plan on driving, if you plan on consuming, don’t plan on driving.” 

The stricter impaired driving laws come into effect on Tuesday. 

They allow officers to demand a breathalyzer test from any driver, even one who is not suspected of impaired driving. Until now, police had to have a reasonable suspicion of impaired driving if they wanted to demand a breathalyzer test. 

Some lawyers think the new laws violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ‘

February 27, 2014

The new laws also increase the financial penalties for impaired driving and may introduce new “hybrid” charges that deal with drunk-and-stoned drivers. 

“Are people getting the message? To say that people don’t know the rules, you can’t do that. The messaging is everywhere. There’s just a core group of people that make poor choices,” said Harding. 

“We’re still going to be out there, on the streets, looking for impaired drivers.” 

London police stop 20,000 vehicles annually and lay about 400 impaired driving charges. (Source: CBC) 

Thursday June 22, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 22, 2017

LCBO extends hours in lead up to Canada Day as possible strike looms

The LCBO is extending hours amid fears of a last call due to a possible work stoppage next week.

March 4, 2015

With 8,000 unionized workers set to hit the bricks on Monday, the provincial alcohol monopoly some Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores will be open from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. starting Thursday.

“Extended store hours across Ontario will help accommodate customer shopping leading up to Canada Day and possible labour disruption,” the LCBO said in a statement Wednesday.

“We continue to bargain with the union’s bargaining committee, with the union in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. Monday,” the Crown agency continued.

“To ensure access to the best product selection and to avoid disappointment, customers should shop in advance of Sunday . . . if possible,” it said.

June 23, 2009

“We remain focused on reaching a fair, sustainable and responsible collective agreement. However, in the event of a labour disruption, we have plans to provide some level of service.”

Details on those strike provisions are not yet known.

In the event that workers are not on strike over the Canada Day long weekend July 1, the LCBO is hoping to keep as many as 450 of its 650 stores open with the longer hours that Sunday.

June 26, 2009

However, all outlets will be closed on the Saturday. They will be open Monday even though that is a statutory holiday.

Employees, 84 per cent of whom are part-time, are seeking greater certainty from the LCBO over scheduling and guarantees about eventually gaining full-time jobs.

Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is reforming labour laws this fall to protect workers in precarious employment circumstances better, has warned that “it’s a good idea for government to set an example in terms of good labour practice.” (Toronto Star)