By paNOW

MP impacted by Ben Darchuk’s death pushes drunk-driving bill

Oct 10, 2014 | 6:28 AM

MP Randy Hoback says the sentence given to a drunk driver who killed Prince Albert businessman Ben Darchuk in 2012 led people to tell him something needs to change.

On Wednesday, Hoback introduced a Private Members’ Bill in the House of Commons, Bill C-590, which would amend parts of the Criminal Code of Canada which deal with blood alcohol content. The bill passed second reading in the House.

If the bill passes, drivers who have a blood alcohol content exceeding the legal limit could face prison time of up to 10 years.

Just before the vote, Hoback told the other MPs in the House about Darchuk.

“This legislation came about because of a guy by the name of Ben Darchuk. Ben Darchuk was the owner of Ben’s Auto Glass. He was killed by a drunk driver, a drunk driver who was also under the influence of drugs. Ben had a family. He had a business. The impact on his family, his business, and the community was immense.”

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On Thursday, he spoke of his personal connection to Darchuk: he used to have an office next to his business and he had an aunt who worked for Darchuk.

“I just felt this was such a waste [and] a life cut short and for what reason other than somebody being … not only drunk but in this case, under the influence of drugs too. And then realizing that that person really had no consequences for what he created,” he said.

Tanner Hallett Courtney was sentenced to two years less a day in a provincial jail. Courtney also received a three-year driving prohibition.

He cited statistics that he said shows people who drive at over twice the legal limit for alcohol tend to be driving drunk more often than anyone else. When you look at the number of accidents caused by those people, he said you have to do something to get them off the road.

“And you have to make sure that there’s consequences for their actions. And the other goal here of course is when you’re going through the drivers’ training course, and you’re talking to kids, they understand that, you know, if you’re going to drink and drive, there’s very serious consequences.”

In addition to 10-year sentences for exceeding the legal limit, first-time offenders would face a minimum fine of $2,000 and 60-day prison sentence if convicted. Second-time offenders would face a minimum prison sentence of 240 days.

Drivers who are caught at more than twice the legal limit and cause an accident that harms or kills another person would face a mandatory minimum fine of 120 days for a first offence. For future offences, they would face a minimum one-year sentence.

The proposed legislation would set out new minimums in the Criminal Code, and would be an update to section 255. 

A Parliamentary committee, the House of Commons Standing on Justice and Human Rights will now study the bill. Hoback said he’s hoping to see a third reading take place this fall.

He said the feedback from other MPs about the bill has been “positive.”

The bill passed via a voice vote, meaning that all of the parties supported it going to committee, Hoback said.

“Now, there may be some amendments in committee, and I’m OK with that if it strengthens the bill. And I sense from both parties, opposition parties, is their goal here is a genuine goal to see that we have a good piece of legislation.

“There might be some differences in opinions on mandatory minimum sentences and stuff like that, but I do know that the goal here is to make sure that these guys who are over the legal limit are taken off the road.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames