Quebec Liberals wants penalties from a blood alcohol level of 0.05
![hand-held breathalyzer A police hand-held breathalyzer is shown in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. Lawyer Paul Doroshenko is questioning the accuracy of the police hand held breathalyzers that are being used by police in the Vancouver area. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/2/14/hand-held-breathalyzer-1-6768978-1707942126640.jpg)
The Quebec Liberal party (PLQ) feels the province should impose administrative penalties on motorists with a blood alcohol content of 0.05 instead of 0.08.
House Leader Monsef Derraji tabled a motion on Wednesday to force the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government to take a stand on this road safety issue.
"I'm offering the CAQ a golden opportunity to follow the science, (...) the coroner's recommendations, but also the CAA-Quebec's suggestions," said Derraji at a news briefing at the national assembly.
All Canadian provinces except the Yukon impose penalties starting at 0.05. In British Columbia, there has been a 52% drop in fatal accidents thanks to this measure, he pointed out.
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault is currently piloting Bill 48 to improve Quebec's road safety record, and, so far, she has shown no intention of emulating other provinces.
Derraji calls it an "inexplicable" position, recalling the respect Premier François Legault had for public health experts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Mr. Legault (...) followed all the recommendations made by public health (...) Today, public health is in favour of lowering the threshold to 0.05. (...) So Mr. Legault is not in favour of lowering the threshold.(...) So Mr. Legault is faced with his own contradictions," he said.
For him, not lowering the blood alcohol level in Quebec is tantamount to a lack of "courage" and "empathy."
Last week, Derraji accompanied Antoine Bittar and Elizabeth Rivera to a press briefing to call for Quebec to impose administrative penalties from 0.05 onwards.
The couple lost a child to a recidivist drunk driver.
Bittar and Rivera caused a stir during their appearance at the national assembly when they said they had to pay $200 to the CAQ to talk to Guilbault for two minutes about drinking and driving.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 14, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971614.1721493887!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hazmat response to north London, Ont. apartment complex
Circumstances around a deceased individual in an apartment raise concerns for first responders.
'I took a bullet for democracy': Trump holds first rally after assassination attempt
Donald Trump is holding his first campaign rally since he survived an attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Secret Service chief noted a 'zero fail mission.' After Trump rally, she's facing calls to resign
When Kimberly Cheatle led the Secret Service's operations to safeguard the American president and other dignitaries, she said she would talk to agents in training about the 'awesome responsibility' of their job.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Even if your kids roll their eyes, keep making jokes, research says
Researchers surveyed about 300 people about their experiences being raised with or without humour and their views on their childhood, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One.
'A temporary bump': Taylor Swift's effect on inflation and tourism during the Eras Tour
Taylor Swift fans know all too well the costs that come with travelling to see the singer live on her Eras Tour.
'I live a good, clean life': Socialite veteran 'just keeps going' ahead of 100th birthday
Thomas Archibald Franklin reflects on being 100 years young ahead of milestone birthday on Tuesday, bringing family and community together
'Shoot for the stars': Indigenous contestants in Miss Universe Canada on the importance of representation
More than 60 women, including some Indigenous participants, will compete for the top spot at Miss Universe Canada.