Mr. Speaker, I point out to the hon. member that things are not as simple as he puts them. There has been much discussion in this House on this issue. Despite what the hon. member said, we are on the record as saying this is a serious issue and we are taking it very seriously. The minister will be taking it up with her provincial counterparts.
I remind the hon. member, as a member of the justice committee, that the justice committee has already stated that we will be dealing with the issue of drinking and driving as well as with the issue of victims rights.
This debate shows that it is obvious that impaired driving is a problem we dearly want to see resolved, whatever our political persuasion. Although members do not all agree on the best solutions to this problem, they all share the same goal, which is to reduce the number of cases of impaired driving.
Recent statistics from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics were released yesterday. The rate of persons charged with impaired driving in 1996 went down by 7% from what it was the previous year. The 1996 rate showed a marked decrease of 47% compared with the 1986 rate. That does not mean we are proud of these statistics or that we should all say the problem has been solved, but contrary to the statistics mentioned by the hon. member, these recently released statistics indicate the rate of persons charged with impaired driving has gone down. For 1996 all the jurisdictions in Canada reported a decrease in the rate of persons charged with impaired driving.
The centre stated that in looking at the adult court survey data included in the Juristat that unlike other offences under the Criminal Code, persons charged with impaired driving are more likely to be found guilty.
The minister is very committed to bringing forth some solutions to this problem. She will be—