Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I have with me as well Mr. David Griffin, who is a former police officer and an executive officer with the Canadian Police Association. He'll be here to assist me today.
The Canadian Police Association welcomes the opportunity to appear today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, concerning your Study on Matters Related to Impaired Driving.
The CPA is the national voice for 57,000 police personnel serving across Canada. Through our 160 member associations, CPA membership includes police personnel serving in police services from Canada's smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal cities, provincial police services and members of the RCMP.
Motor vehicle collisions that are caused by impaired drivers are not accidents; these are crimes. Impaired Driving remains the number one criminal cause of death in Canada. Despite our collective best efforts and intentions, it is apparent that the problem of impaired driving is worsening in Canada, and we are losing ground in our efforts to eliminate impaired driving. The most recent data available, from 2006, demonstrates that operating motor vehicles and vessels while impaired by alcohol or drugs is at the highest level it has been since 1999. This is not acceptable; the time for action is now.
Canada needs a coordinated and integrated approach involving the federal government, provincial governments, and all stakeholders in the justice system. We welcome the work of the committee in this regard. We would point out, however, that there have been numerous committees, bills, and studies over the past decade. The real problem seems to be in moving forward, beyond consultations, with adequate legislation and implementation.
We believe the areas that need to be addressed in this review include, first, random roadside breath testing. Currently Canadian police officers may administer a roadside test using an alcohol screening device only when the officer has reason to suspect that a driver may have consumed alcohol. Unfortunately, this is not always practical, especially when dealing with drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions. Some countries have permitted the use of random roadside breath testing with significantly increased results. We heard of one, and New Zealand is the other.
This recognizes that driving on Canadian roads and highways is a privilege, not a right. Random testing of drivers is a reasonable and efficient measure to deal with a serious public safety concern. It is no more inconvenient to submit to a random test on our roadways than to be screened and searched at airports, or, as we were today, on entering this building.
If this committee chooses to do only one thing, we would encourage you to consider this proposal. Random roadside breath testing would introduce a significant deterrence for people who might otherwise choose to take the chance and drive while impaired.
Second is hospital testing. A significant enforcement issue for police deals with suspected impaired drivers who are injured and taken to hospital. Often there are challenges in obtaining breath samples within the prescribed time limits and difficulties in obtaining blood sample authorizations.