The classic romantic date is in danger of disappearing if the federal government reduces the legal alcohol limit for licensed drivers, a spokesman for Quebec91裸聊视频檚 restaurant lobby said Tuesday.
Francois Meunier said if Ottawa passes such a law, it would be a disaster for the restaurant industry 91裸聊视频� and for lovers.
91裸聊视频淭he (change would) mean a woman can have one drink and a man, in most cases, two,91裸聊视频� Meunier said. 91裸聊视频淔orget about a bottle of wine for two, for a Valentine91裸聊视频檚 Day dinner 91裸聊视频� that91裸聊视频檚 over.91裸聊视频�
In a letter to provincial and territorial justice ministers dated last May, federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould suggested lowering the limit to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood from the current 80 milligrams.
The minister said the change would 91裸聊视频渕ake it easier to fight the danger posed by drivers who have consumed alcohol.91裸聊视频�
Meunier, who works for an association that represents restaurateurs in Quebec, said his members are less worried about losing alcohol sales and more concerned with seeing a significant drop in total revenues, as people choose to stay home.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 about food sales that go with the alcohol,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淲hen it comes to celebrations, parties, all that will be done at home as people change their behaviour. It91裸聊视频檚 easy to talk about taking a taxi or public transportation, but in the (outlying) regions it91裸聊视频檚 not as easy.91裸聊视频�
Wilson-Raybould responded to the reaction to her letter through a spokesperson on Tuesday.
91裸聊视频淚 believe that lowering the federal limit to 50mg would better respond to the danger posed by impaired drivers, by sending a strong message through the criminal law and changing drivers91裸聊视频� behaviour,91裸聊视频� Wilson-Raybould said.
91裸聊视频淚 have therefore sought the input of my provincial counterparts, in order to solicit their views. At this stage, no decision has been made.91裸聊视频�
She said the current rules were established after research indicated the risk of being involved in a car crash was twice as likely when a driver has 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in his or her system.
91裸聊视频淢ore recent research indicates that this data underestimated the fatal crash risk,91裸聊视频� she said Tuesday. 91裸聊视频滻n fact, the risk is almost double at 50mg, almost triple at 80mg, and rises exponentially above that level.91裸聊视频�
In her letter to her provincial and territorial counterparts, Wilson-Raybould cited Ireland as a case study in the dissuasive effect a reduction in blood/alcohol limit levels can have.
91裸聊视频淭he reduction to 50 milligrams of alcohol (per 100 millilitres of blood), combined with obligatory testing for alcohol, produced a 50 per cent reduction in deadly road accidents,91裸聊视频� she wrote, 91裸聊视频漚nd a reduction of about 65 per cent in the number of (criminal) charges.91裸聊视频�
Quebec is the only jurisdiction in Canada that has no sanctions in place for drivers who register a blood/alcohol level of more than 50 milligrams. The province tried twice to impose penalties for such drivers, but failed.
Last spring, at the same time the federal government tabled legislation to legalize marijuana, it also introduced a bill increasing penalties for drivers caught under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Bill C-46 allows police to demand drivers submit to a breathalyzer even if they don91裸聊视频檛 suspect they are under the influence.
Peter Sergakis, the head of an association representing bar owners, said the government should focus on stopping repeat drunk drivers, not penalizing responsible adults.
91裸聊视频淧olice are only applying the current laws during the holiday season,91裸聊视频� he said.
Sergakis said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not being consistent in his approach.
91裸聊视频淭rudeau wants to legalize marijuana 91裸聊视频� he wants to get everyone high,91裸聊视频� said the bar owner. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a double standard. He wants to get everyone high but prevent them from drinking. Where is the logic?91裸聊视频�
Melanie Marquis and Giuseppe Valiante, The Canadian Press
