NEWS RELEASE

December 18, 1996
For  Immediate  Release

BREITKREUZ URGES EVERYONE TO FLY A RED RIBBON ON THEIR CARS OVER 
THE HOLIDAYS

"Drunk drivers beware," warned Breitkreuz, "tougher laws are 
coming."



Yorkton - Today, Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, urged everyone 
to join in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) campaign over the 
Christmas holidays.  Last September, Breitkreuz spoke in support of Bill 
C-201 which proposed a mandatory, minimum sentence of seven years for 
the crime of drunk driving causing death.  Introduced by Dick Harris, 
Reform MP for Prince George-Bulkley Valley, Bill C-201 was defeated by 
just 31 votes in the House of Commons by a coalition of Liberal and Bloc 
Members.  "Fortunately, Reformers don't give up easily," said Breitkreuz.  
"On November 20th, I seconded Dick Harris' Motion (M-78) calling on the 
government to strengthen penalties for impaired driving offences in the 
Criminal Code."



"In 1995, impaired drivers killed 1,650 people in Canada, while only 239 
were murdered with firearms.  Drunk drivers kill 4.5 people a day and 
the Liberals have done absolutely nothing!  And yet, one person every 
two days is murdered with a firearm and the government rams a 127 page 
bill through the House, fabricates another 85 pages of regulations and 
spends hundreds of millions of precious tax dollars.  Does this make any 
sense at all?" asked Breitkreuz.



"Tough legislation combined with aggressive enforcement can reduce the 
number of deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers.  On the other 
hand, Allan Rock's flawed gun laws will do nothing to reduce the number 
of firearm homicides," said Breitkreuz.  "This is just another case where 
the Liberal government has their public safety priorities all out of 
whack.  Cutting the number of officers on highway patrol and putting more 
of them behind desks registering guns is the height of stupidity.  More 
than anything else, this example proves that Allan Rock is more concerned 
about pushing his own personal policies - not saving lives."



On December 11th, the Reform Caucus approved tough new proposals to reduce 
the number of drunk drivers on our roads including: lowering legal blood 
alcohol levels, eliminating the 2 hour sampling time limit, much tougher 
sentences, and mandatory education and rehabilitative programs.



Every year at this time, MADD Canada distributes millions of red ribbons 
as a reminder to all drivers to be safe and sober drivers during the 
holiday season.  "Concerned citizens who want tougher laws against drunk 
drivers and want to show their support by flying a red ribbon on their 
cars and snowmobiles can pick up their red ribbon at all branches of the 
Bank of Montreal, Shoppers Drug Marts and Travelodges," urged Breitkreuz.  
"I'm going to try to get the liquor stores to hand out MADD's red ribbons 
next year," he said.  "Have a safe and happy holiday season and may all 
the drivers you meet be sober."



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For more information please call:

Yorkton:  (306) 782-3309

Ottawa:   (613) 992-4394