You are quite right, Mr. Petit. It is indeed not easy for these people.
Some solutions could be integrated into the highway safety code, although this is not yet the case in Quebec. There could be certain things at stake. For example, in the not-too-distant future, in Ontario, offenders will be required to take part in programs lasting three days, a week or a month, to determine if they have an alcohol dependency problem and to attempt to address their addiction.
Even if the penalty in Quebec for this offence is a one-year license suspension, those who qualify may, after three months, drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition lock device during certain times of the day. This is important for people living in rural areas where alternative services are not available.
If the Criminal Code is amended and the BAC lowered to 0.05%, even more people will be pulled over under Criminal Code provisions, rather than under the highway safety code. It is unfortunate that Quebec has not followed the lead of the other provinces. However, surely it will conform one day, since the other provinces and territories have already implemented these measures. Therefore, pursuant to the highway safety code, the BAC limit is 0.05%. The code also sets out penalties of three days, one week and even up to two weeks, rather than four- or twelve- hour license suspensions. Criminal Code provisions apply to those found to have a BAC equal to or over 0.08%.