CRFA disappointed by Alberta government’s swift passage of flawed Bill 26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 7, 2011
EDMONTON - Ignoring the outcry from Albertans and the hospitality industry, the Alberta government pushed through legislation yesterday that will impose new penalties on drivers who are not legally impaired under the Criminal Code.
The 62-page Bill 26 was introduced just over two weeks ago without consultation and without evidence that the section of the Bill that penalizes drivers with a BAC level under the legal limit of .08 will have any impact on the safety of Alberta’s roads.
“We fully support the intention of the Bill and the tougher measures it imposes on drivers who are over the .08 BAC limit, but we are frustrated and disappointed by the process, and by government’s unwillingness to listen to concerns about flawed sections of the Bill,” says Garth Whyte, President and CEO of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
The Premier, the Ministers responsible and MLAs from across the province heard from CRFA and thousands of Albertans who asked government to reconsider or at minimum postpone passage of the sections of the Bill dealing with BAC of .05 to .08 until a proper consultation could take place. Instead the government rushed the Bill through the Legislative Assembly with the limited debate occurring late into the evening.
“Why was the government in such a hurry to push through this legislation when it isn’t even ready to implement it?” asks Whyte. “We will now hold the government accountable to roll out the legislation responsibly and to work with us to educate Albertans on what it means.”
Alberta's $8.4-billion restaurant industry employs more than 125,000 people in communities across the province. CRFA is one of Canada’s largest business associations, with more than 30,000 members representing restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and other foodservice providers.
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