DWI Laws Throughout Canada

DWI Laws throughout Canada Canada has a variety of different laws with regards to driving while impaired, but each individual province has their own laws and regulations that can be confusing for tourists and travelers. Here is a look at some of the unique DWI laws and punishments for each province. Nunavut All drivers with a BAC of 0.05 will have their licenses suspended for 24 hours. Subsequent offenses will lead to a suspension of 30 days. Northwest Territories All drivers with a BAC of 0.05 will have their licenses suspended for 24 hours. Subsequent offenses will lead to a suspension of 30 days. (Nunavut shares its laws with the Northwest Territories.) Yukon Territory All drivers with a BAC of 0.08 will have all of their driving priveleges revoked immediately for 24 hours and their license suspended for a minimum of 90 days. British Columbia First offenders receive a minimum fine of $600. A BAC of 0.05% can result in fines over $4,000. Refusal to take a breath test is a criminal offense and can result in a prohibition from driving for a period of one year. Alberta First offenders with a BAc of O.08% receive a minimum $700 fine and 3 month probation from driving. An ignition interlock system is required to drive after 3 months. Saskatchewan All drivers with a BAC of 0.04 will lose their license for 24 hours. Repeat offenders will need to take a driving sober class. Those driving with a suspension will have their vehicle impounded and will lose their license for at least 1 year. Manitoba New drivers have a 5 year zero-tolerance that could lead to a 24 hour license suspension and additional penalties. Ignition interlock systems can be used after licenses are restored. Ontario All drivers with a BAC of 0.08% will receive a 3 month suspension, 7 day vehicle impoundment, over $1,000 in fines, and an ignition interlock system for one year. Subsequent offenses greatly increase these penalties. Quebec First offenders with a BAC of 0.08% will have their license suspended and their vehicle will be impounded for 30 - 90 days. Driving during a suspension period can result in fines totalling $3,000. Newfoundland All drivers with a BAC of 0.05% can receive a 90 day suspension and vehicle impoundment. First offenders must go through educational courses and they receive a special license plate. New Brunswick All drivers with a BAC of 0.05% will have their license taken for 7 days. Anyone that refuses a breath test will receive a suspension for 90 days and their license will be taken. Nova Scotia All drivers with a BAC of 0.05% will receive a fine of $600 - $2,000, a 1 year suspension, and they must participate in an alcohol education program. Repeat offenders serve increasingly long jail sentences. Prince Edward Island All drivers that have a BAC of 0.05% will face a 24 hour suspension. Repeat offenders face increasingly long suspension times. Offenders may need to participate in an ignition interlock system. DG DAVIDSON GREGORY DANYLUIK Barristers at Law www.thedefencelawyer.com