Page 14 - NOVEMBER 10 , 2016 - MaRtENsVillE MEssENgER
Provincial Politics with Murray Mandryk
Drunk Driving Attitudes Must Change
The reason why governing parties and journalists do not tend to get along has much to do with their very different approaches . A governing party ’ s prime directive is to remain in power so it can do what it feels is best for the public . However , that isn ’ t always about presenting the world the way it is , but rather how they wish the world to be . In comparison , journalists are bound by their commitment to their craft to convey things the way they are - warts and all . Sometimes it does not do much for the reputation of journalists , who are perceived by the government and their supporters as unnecessarily negative and eager to dwell on the bad news . However , any journalist would tell you that it is never easy to be the bearer of bad news . Maybe this is the reason why journalists obtain a bit of empathy for governments that sometimes need to tell people what they do not want to hear .
There is a lot surrounding the amendments to the Traffic Safety Act legislation that the government says will provide “ more tools for law enforcement ” in order to
Mla Report From Nancy Heppner
government taking action to Combat impaired Driving
Saskatchewan has the highest per capita number of impaired driving fatalities in Canada . This week our government took further action to prevent impaired driving in Saskatchewan . Effective January 1 , 2017 , amendments to the Traffic Safety Act will :
• Add a three-day vehicle seizure for experienced drivers who are charged for the first time with having a blood alcohol content ( BAC ) over . 04 ;
• Apply zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol to drivers 21 and under ; and
• Strengthen ignition interlock laws to be the most effective in Canada , by extending mandatory ignition interlock to drivers who register a BAC over . 16 or refuse to provide a breath sample ( 1st offence - two years ; 2nd offence - five years ; 3rd and subsequent offence - 10 years ).
Our government also continues to explore other avenues to bring down the number of impaired driving deaths and injuries , including closer examination of the full B . C . model . Our government has also committed to further support law enforcement efforts through more tools and funding .
To combat distracted driving , and in response to recommendations from law enforcement , government is also strengthening cellphone legislation by changing the offence to “ holding , viewing , using or manipulating ” a mobile device while driving , instead of the current “ using ” a mobile device .
saskatchewan People Oppose Ottawa ’ s Carbon tax
People across the province are signing petitions and at least three separate polls have shown that a strong majority of Saskatchewan people are opposed to the federal government ’ s plan to impose a carbon tax on Saskatchewan .
From the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce to the Agricultural Producers ’ Association of Saskatchewan , there is real concern about how this tax would impact the province .
deal with drunk driving which will surely be unpopular . Essentially , this is what the act will impose : * A three-day vehicle seizure “ for experienced drivers who are charged for the first time with having blood alcohol content ( BAC ) over . 04 .” * Zero tolerance for any driver 21 years and younger found with drugs and alcohol in their system , and ; * Far tougher ignition interlock laws that will extend their mandatory use to drivers with a blood alcohol content ( BAC ) of more than . 16 , or who refuse to take a breathalyzer . The interlock must be used for two years for the first offence , five years for the second and 10 years for the third and subsequent offences .
In addition , the changes to take effect in the New Year will also see Saskatchewan Government Insurance spend $ 800,000 on 32 additional automated license plate readers in order to help police catch disqualified drivers . SGI will also provide $ 500,000 for police to increase impaired driving check stops . One can certainly argue that this is a long overdue response to a problem as serious as any in this province . On a per capita basis , Saskatchewan has the highest rate of impaired driving fatalities in Canada . There were nearly 1,200 impaired driving collisions in 2015 , which resulted in the killing of 53 people and injuring 578 others . Frankly , much of what was announced by the SGI Minister , Joe Hargrave , as well as Justice Minister , Gord Wyant , had been proposed in committee by the NDP two years prior . At the time the government stated that they were doing enough .
One would suspect that the about-face of Premier Brad Wall ’ s government on the subject of drunk driving was at least partly influenced by the impaired driving conviction of former deputy premier , Don McMorris . Whether this was a political face-saver or not , the reality is that these changes will continue to be
Those making a living in trade exposed , carbon intensive industries are especially vulnerable to a carbon tax . Even the federal government ’ s own working group on carbon pricing acknowledges these industries will be at a competitive disadvantage . According to the report , economists call this concept “ carbon leakage ”. That is when jurisdictions with a carbon tax lose investment and jobs to jurisdictions without one .
This week Premier Wall sent a letter to Ralph Goodale , Saskatchewan ’ s only member of the federal Liberal government . The letter asks him to stand up for the people he represents . Saskatchewan NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon was asked to stand with our government and the people of Saskatchewan in fighting a forced federal carbon tax by co-signing the letter – but he refused .
The climate change conversation must on innovation and adaptation , not an ill-conceived , federallyimposed carbon tax that will have little impact on emissions with the greatest risk to your job and pocketbook . Instead of a carbon tax that will drive costs up and competitiveness down , we are asking the federal government to work with us on meaningful actions that will get results .
Until then we will defend Saskatchewan ’ s interests and the gains that got us to where we are today . We will defend our economy and the quality of life that economy pays for . We will fight for our interests in the court of public opinion and , if need be , in the courts of our land . unpopular in certain circles . Already , we are hearing the usual grumbling regarding how Saskatchewan has a sparse population with little traffic and without a good public transportation option . This may not be a popular decision in rural Saskatchewan where we will undoubtedly hear the complaints of bar owners stating that this will be the end to their businesses . Rural Saskatchewan is a place where people have an amazing capacity to adjust . Surely , creative solutions can be found in regards to driving people home from bars and parties .
For people alike former MP , Allan Kerpan , whose 25 year-old daughter Danille was killed in a 2014 crash which was caused by a drunk driver , rural Saskatchewan coming to terms with the reality of drunk driving is a must . Kerpan noted on the day of the announcement that his hometown of Kenaston has “ three or four guys ” who consistently drive drunk . “ It is likely that most rural Saskatchewan communities have similar numbers ,” stated Kerpan .
Attitudes must change , however firstly will be the execution of some unpopular law changes .
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Ciara O ’ Reilly , Martensville Messenger
International Random Acts of Kindness ( RAK ) Day celebrated its 20th annual round of kindness on November 4th , 2016 . It is a day to celebrate and encourage random acts of kindness . Founded by the U . S in 1995 , RAK Day introduces the whole ‘ pay it forward ’ mentality . It is the one day a year that civilians are asked to respect and put forth acts of kindness into their community . One day a year , people are encouraged to pay for the person behind them in the drivethru , let someone go ahead of them in line , take muffins to work , and even , God forbid , encouraged to smile at those passing by . Don ’ t get me wrong ; I ’ m all for encouraging others to have decent morals , but one day a year ? I don ’ t know about you , but I would dig having my coffee paid for every morning . Acts of kindness should not have to rely on one day a year to give forth to others . Kindness has a ripple effect once ousted into the community . Scott Adams , an American cartoonist , once said , “ Remember , there is no such thing as a small act of kindness . Every act creates a ripple with no logical end .” Small acts go a very long way , and if receiving a pre-paid coffee from a stranger isn ’ t enough for you , direct your kindness towards your loved ones instead . Paying it forward 20 cups of coffee for 20 strangers may not taste as good to you as seeing the expression on the face of a loved one as you present them with a gift that those 20 cups would have cost you . However , that is also 20 mornings bettered and 20 individuals who have gotten a taste of the pay it forward mentality , with a side of cream and sugar . Acts of kindness ultimately encourage and influence others to give a small piece , but watch as that piece grows and grows as it is tossed into the ripple effect of ‘ do good , see good ’. Don ’ t wait for the following November 4th , buy me a coffee !
Letter to the Editor
The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication . Letters must be signed and a phone number and / or email address included so the writer ’ s identity can be verified . ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger . We reserve the right to edit letters for length , clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste . Submit your letter to ssealey @ martensvillemessenger . ca or jottenbreit @ martensvillemessenger . ca or drop by the Martensville Messenger office at Bay # 7 - 301 Centennial Drive North .