Mr. Speaker, I rise to applaud the sincere and tireless efforts of the members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Especially at Christmas, MADD reminds us with a red ribbon campaign of the tragic consequences of drinking and driving.
I commend MADD for effectively changing the attitudes of the public toward what used to be an acceptable social occurrence, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking.
However, the social pressure will not be enough to curb the high percentage of repeat offenders whose problems are more than bad judgment.
As a society we also have a responsibility to eradicate the ravages of drunk driving by addressing the cause, not only the effect.
Statistics show that up to 70 per cent of the drivers who cause death and injury through impaired driving do have alcohol problems.
Therefore I say it is time to enforce rehabilitation, even involuntarily, to prevent future tragic deaths. We must, as well, pass legislation like Motion No. 78 which will deal with this serious offence effectively.
Today I am again wearing my pin in honour of Cindy Verhulst, a young woman from Mission in my riding whose life was tragically cut short by a drunk driver.