Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond has issued the statement below following the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling earlier today in Sivia vs. British Columbia:

"Today's ruling is welcome news. The judge concluded that all consequences assessed under the law will stand.

"I can assure all British Columbians that we remain steadfast in our fight to quickly remove drinking drivers from B.C.'s roads. We know our groundbreaking approach deters people from drinking and driving and enables police to remove alcohol-impaired drivers from our roads immediately, thereby enhancing public safety.

"The 44 per cent reduction in alcohol-related fatalities since our law came into force - with an estimated 71 lives saved - is unprecedented.

"Our paramount goal is to protect and sustain our life-saving law within the bounds of the Constitution. To that end, the amendments we brought into force June 15 - designed to add a more rigorous appeal process in response to an earlier court ruling - maintained our tough, immediate roadside prohibition approach to road safety.

"B.C has led the way nationally on tackling drinking driving, with a number of other provinces following or looking to follow B.C.'s approach. Our government hopes today's decision supports this important work and helps to further road safety, here in British Columbia and across Canada."

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961