Hon. Kevin Sorenson
M.P. Battle River-Crowfoot
We are just passed the mid-point of summer and it has been good not to see many newspaper reports of serious boating accidents throughout July and the early part of August.
I attribute this fact, in large part, to the law enforcement officers who patrol the lakes throughout our riding of Battle River-Crowfoot. They certainly deserve our thanks and gratitude for ensuring our safety and that of our families and friends during the fun summer months.
Toward the end of July, while I was enjoying the calm waters of Buffalo Lake and the brilliant sun overhead, we came across two RCMP officers in their patrol boat.
I seized the moment to chat with them for a bit, while they took the opportunity to inspect our boat. As is customary, they were checking to see that we had the requisite safety items on board such as a corresponding number of life jackets to passengers, a bailer, light and paddles in case of engine failure.
As well, they were ensuring the driver had a boat license and the boat was registered. I am happy to report, we passed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for many boaters who fail to ensure they are safely equipped to be out on the water. While the waters may generally be calm as I experienced that particular day, a storm could blow in without much warning, particularly during those extremely hot days.
Over the last 18 years that I have represented this large and primarily rural riding, I have written a number of times — usually at the beginning of summer — about the importance of safety as it relates to many summer activities such as biking, camping (camp fires) and hiking as well as boating.
While I believe many constituents are taking proper precautions, I remain concerned about impaired driving and the fact that many people do not recognize that it pertains to operating a boat or any other motor vehicle such as all-terrain vehicles and Sea-doos.
I, therefore, continue to write about the many dangers of drinking and driving and the serious criminal charges that can be laid if bodily harm or death occurs and when blood alcohol content (BAC) levels are above .08. In Alberta, as well as a number of other provinces, BAC limits are set at .05 under Highway Traffic Acts with various sanctions.
My concern grows as we approach the day when cannabis is legalized in this country. Despite the legislation passing and there being only a few short months until you can legally possess marijuana, police across this country remain worried about the effects of people driving high.
Officers patrolling our waterways next summer will be on heightened alert for people operating boats and other water vehicles while high.
Although, it is currently a crime to operate a boat if you are impaired by marijuana or any other drug, we completely expect — as do the police — that the occurrence will increase dramatically in the summer of 2019.
As a result, police throughout this country have been requesting additional resources and new and improved roadside (and boat-side) devices to better detect and prove impairment, particularly, cannabis related impairment.
October 17th, 2018 – the day marijuana will be legal in Canada – is fast approaching and I implore all levels of government to ensure police have what they need to keep us safe on the roads and on the water.
As I started this column, I will end it by thanking police officers from Camrose to Beaver County, Wainwright to Drumheller, Hanna to Stettler and the many communities in between.
Your job is dangerous, your job is important and we thank you for your tremendous service and protection. I also thank former police chief and former Mayor of Camrose and current Mayor of Chestermere, Marshall Chalmers, for his many years of hard work and dedication. I had a very fortunate encounter with Marshall the day I was boating on Buffalo Lake. He came to my rescue when the engine of the Sea-doo I was riding failed. I luckily had a rope — another requisite safety boating item — which Marshall used to tow me in.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or previous columns you may write me at 4945-50th Street, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1P9, call 780-608-4600, toll-free 1-800-665-4358, fax 780-608-4603 or e-mail Kevin.Sorenson.c1@parl.gc.ca.