The governments of Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces have completed a joint procurement process for the provision of ignition-interlock devices, in the ongoing effort to reduce impaired driving on the region’s highways.
Today, the Honourable Paula Biggar, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy for Prince Edward Island; the Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal for Nova Scotia; the Honourable Stephen Horsman, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Solicitor General for New Brunswick; and the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service Newfoundland and Labrador, announced an award under the joint-procurement initiative, which will result in agreements between each province and Alcolock Canada of Toronto, Ontario to provide interlock devices in each jurisdiction.
The agreements will be good for five years, providing rates for group purchase of an estimated 1,000 interlock systems annually for Atlantic Canadians who have the devices installed as part of driver licence reinstatement following a conviction for impaired driving. The costs of installing and monitoring will be paid by the individuals involved.
“On Prince Edward Island, we have seen a reduction in the rate of impaired driving, but the only acceptable goal is to strive for complete elimination of the risk posed by drivers intoxicated by alcohol. Interlock systems will allow people with a history of impaired driving to return to the road subject to their ability to prove they are alcohol free.”
- The Honourable Paula Biggar, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
“There is strong evidence that the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program (AIIP) is keeping our roads safer from drunk drivers. The joint procurement agreement with the Atlantic Provinces will provide a better ignition-interlock device and monitoring system that will help make our roads safer.”
- The Honourable Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
“As Atlantic Canadians we have many shared values, which include ensuring the safety and security of our families and our communities. We are pleased to collaborate with our provincial partners as we work to make our roads and highways safer. We look forward to working with Alcolock as we make the transition from a voluntary to a mandatory interlock program in New Brunswick.”
- The Honourable Stephen Horsman, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Solicitor General
“Working together, our governments have secured an agreement that will make one standardized device more broadly available across the Atlantic Provinces. Greater use of these devices in more communities across Newfoundland and Labrador will simultaneously promote rehabilitation for offenders, and safer roads for the general public.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL
Ignition interlock devices are used in Canadian jurisdictions to allow a convicted impaired driver to regain driving privileges under strict conditions. Once installed in a vehicle, these devices prevent it from being started and driven unless the driver can provide a breath sample free from alcohol.
The use of these devices is typically imposed by courts or voluntarily assumed by a driver as part of conditions following a suspension for an impaired driving condition.