Distracted Driving (March 10)
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Transportation would rather make excuses than take the initiative.
He failed to fund the airport tunnel by passing the buck to the city of Calgary and so far – so far – failed to bring in distracted driving legislation. His excuse? He’s waiting to get the legislation just right. To the Minister of Transportation. Ontario has distracted driving legislation. Why can’t Alberta adopt something similar?
Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, I have to say that he’s absolutely right on one thing: I’m waiting to make sure we can get it right. He’s absolutely wrong on another. It’s not our responsibility to fund the airport tunnel.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why won’t the minister legislate against electronic distractions now since he could always expand the legislation to apply to other types of distractions later on?
Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I think I’ve said that to the hon. member a number of times. There are a lot of distractions out there. We want to make sure, when we put legislation in place, that it’s effective, and in order for it to be effective, it’s got to be enforceable. We’re looking at all those aspects to make sure we get it right.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m talking about electronic distractions right now, Minister. Then you can change them later on, add other distractions.
To the minister again. This government has failed to end drinking and driving. Now they won’t rein in distracted drivers. Why are safe drivers not a priority for this minister?
Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I don’t know how many times I’ve said in this House how important safe driving is to this government and keeping our roads safe and protecting all Albertans on our roads.
Alberta Hansard, March 10, 2010