EDMONTON, AB (December 5, 2011): Premier Alison Redford should not short circuit debate on her controversial drunk driving legislation this week by ramming the bill through the Legislature before MLAs break for Christmas, Wildrose Justice Critic Rob Anderson said.

In question period today, Anderson urged Redford to table the legislation – Bill 26, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act – and return to it after the next election so Albertans will be able to have their say on it before it becomes law.

“This legislation has been rammed down Albertans throats in a matter of days without any input from them and without any regard to its potential flaws,” Anderson said. “We need to take a deep breath and put this bill on hold until after the election in order to get it right.”

The Wildrose Caucus has proposed stronger enforcement of existing impaired driving legislation through increased check stops and stiffer penalties for drivers over the legal limit as an alternative to Redford’s bill.

“After the election, all MLAs will be in a better position to further debate this legislation and come up with a law that will actually save lives, instead of a law that unfairly targets law-abiding Albertans,” Anderson said.

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.

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