How the case of an Alberta woman shows the Charter trouble with mandatory alcohol screening

Cindy Thompson says she almost never drinks, but smokes a pack a day despite a longstanding breathing problem that hadn’t yet been diagnosed on the day her legal troubles began.

The charge was withdrawn when prosecutors saw medical evidence she had COPD, a chronic lung disease, and her licence suspension was overturned in September. The officer asked Thompson to extinguish her cigarette, and read out a mandatory breath demand. Thompson told the officer she hadn’t had a drink in years . She tried to blow nine times, but an error message of insufficient flow kept coming up. Thompson told the officer she was nervous. She tried walking around and took deep breaths to relax herself, but it didn’t help.

Although police have always had to use discretion in giving roadside breath tests to people with lung conditions, two things are different under mandatory screening, which took effect on Dec. 18, 2018. But there are documented cases similar to Thompson’s. Norma McLeod, a 76-year-old Victoria woman with COPD and a mouth implant, was accused of refusing a breath test in February 2019 and had her licence suspended and car impounded — all despite zero evidence of drinking. Her initial appeal was rejected, but it has since been granted.

Though I appreciated PM JustinTrudeau appointing JWR as AG-she was ill equipped, unprofessional, unethical and ultimately an embarrassment. Being First Nations doesn’t give her a pass either! Aho! JWRisaJOKE VanGran Indigenous FirstNations Cdnpoli

I’m aware of a stop that happened years ago. The accused was driving the speed limit, signalled properly and obeyed every traffic law. The police said they stopped him because he was “driving too perfectly”.

'the officer responded that people with COPD and lung cancer have blown successfully.” Now they think they can provide medical assessments! This is another example of the lack of professionalism demonstrated by a national institution that Canadians historically were proud of!

This is a serious issue. For someone to demand you provide a breath test or, for that matter, have you conduct any form of test they should be able to provide reasonable grounds for doing so. 'These cases are rare;' I don't care. These should not be occurring in the first place.

Great opportunity for an innovator to come up with a new type of test that does not require blowing into a 20th century device.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

U.S. House panel launches probe of Attorney-General Barr, Justice DepartmentCommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler sent Barr a letter listing a series of matters that the committee finds ‘deeply troubling,’ including Barr’s involvement in the case of Trump’s long-time confidant Roger Stone I hope they can find surgical masks for everyone in the room Looking fir more FISA abuse. Good.
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Quebec reports first presumptive case of coronavirus, woman from Montreal areaOfficials say woman’s recent contacts were mostly limited to family and friends Now watch Trudeau jump into action . He might even go to work tomorrow . Still no flight restrictions in place ? That’s it,the nation of Quebec is involved,Trudeau closes the borders tomorrow.
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Peter MacKay ‘will never apologize’ for mandatory victim surcharge ruled unconstitutionalMacKay defended the surcharge in an interview with The Globe this week, also saying the victim bill of rights is among his biggest accomplishments from his time in government globepolitics Another thing he'll never do.....become Prime Minister! globepolitics Get lost MacKay. globepolitics We don't need another Ford mess here...
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Is there a future for the oilsands after Frontier? The answer is complicatedThe National Post counted a total of 41 oilsands projects in northern Alberta currently approved by regulators, few of which are likely to move ahead Oil is in the ground and oil consumption is expected grow...Therefore yes, we just need to boot a lot of fools outta Ottawa 🇨🇦
Source: nationalpost - 🏆 10. / 80 Read more »

Terence Corcoran: The big zero in Ottawa’s net-zero carbon planCanada can never get to net zero — not without a miracle from a saviour who walks into Alberta and changes all the fossil fuels into carbon-free energy Leaders lead, big zeroers, big zero. This guy is useless . Another failure of Trudeau's
Source: nationalpost - 🏆 10. / 80 Read more »

Disturbing 'Greta' decal bearing Alta. oilfield company logo drawing criticismA central Alberta-based oil company is being lambasted online for a graphic that appears to depict the rape of 17-year-old Swede Greta Thunberg. Promoting pedophilia to 'own the Libs?' Honestly, that's a new low. I hope you next story is that RCMPAlberta has arrested him. Doug from X-Site should be investigated for child pornography and pedophilia. Absolutely vile.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »