The number of driving infractions in BC has declined steadily over the last five years, according to government statistics. The data, which was compiled by ICBC and recently provided to our office, shows a significant drop in driving offences in BC. The total number of contraventions processed under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), Motor Vehicle […]
What’s behind the drop in driving offences in BC? Continue Reading »
As we’ve said, for a long time now we had an inkling that the federal government would choose the Dräger DrugTest 5000 as the approved drug screening device for Canada. We had some intel on the device, mostly from our American counterparts and from information we could find on the internet. Recently we came into
Five things we didn’t know about the Dräger DrugTest 5000 Continue Reading »
There has been a palpable desire in certain communities to learn which portable drug screener would be approved for use in Canada. There is also a sizeable group who have been waiting to hear my opinion on the ultimate choice. So here we are. The Federal Government has now approved the Dräger DrugTest® 5000 for
Dräger DrugTest® 5000 Continue Reading »
Regular readers of this blog will be well-aware of our concerns with the adjudication of driving prohibitions by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles. Salient legal arguments in Immediate Roadside Prohibition disputes regularly appear to be disregarded or particular issues are scrutinized to the point that other issues are ignored. Perhaps it has something to do
Judicial Review successes for Kyla Lee of Acumen Law Continue Reading »
Police testing for drunk driving will be able to presume a driver’s past intoxication level based on breath or blood samples under a new amendment to the Criminal Code. Drivers who are tested several hours after the time of driving could still be found to have operated a vehicle while over the legal limit, even
Yesterday, the B.C. government announced the proposed changes to ICBC rates. Basically, the proposed changes intend to make bad drivers pay a higher premium while good drivers pay a lower premium. Makes sense right? Well, in theory, and in principle, it makes sense and it is commendable, but I query whether it will have the
ICBC rate changes won’t quell the financial ‘dumpster fire’ Continue Reading »
At some point this year the federal government plans to enact the Capital Markets Stability Act. The new legislation is part of plans to implement the Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System, a centralized regulatory authority that would oversee shares, bonds, and other types of investments in participating provinces. British Columbia has signed on as a
A new federal law governing insider trading is unconstitutional Continue Reading »
The law in Canada allows a defendant to appear in court “pro se”, or on one’s own behalf. To many, especially those with a relatively low income, being a self-represented litigant may seem like an attractive prospect. In reality, self-represented defendants have a much lower success rate in court than those who hire a lawyer.
Recently we shared the story of our successful review at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Now that we have received the documents ordered by the Privacy Commissioner’s office to be released to us, there is more to this case than we originally thought. It turns out this is a prime example of
Government wasting your money Continue Reading »
Charges have been laid following the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan that claimed the lives of 16 people and left 13 others injured. The driver of a semi-truck involved in the collision, Jaskirat Sidhu, has been charged with 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and 13 of dangerous
The provisions in the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) covering distracted driving are broadly defined and the police and courts have been just as broad in their interpretations of the rules. Drivers are afforded very little leeway when it comes to what constitutes using an electronic device while driving. Marika Winthrope found this out the hard
As the ink dries on the Cannabis Act, the public is starting to wonder what post-cannabis decriminalization Canada will be like. One question being asked is how will Canadians crossing over the border into the United States be treated after October 17, when recreational use of marijuana will be legal across Canada. In the context
Situations on the US border will only get worse after cannabis legalization Continue Reading »
