Bill C-46 Archives - Ratna Omidvar

New Impaired Driving Laws and Canadian Permanent Residents

CBC Ottawa Morning CBC January 4, 2019 Bill C-46, impaired driving, permanent residents

There are tough new laws in effect against impaired driving all part of the change that swept in when cannabis became legal, but for newcomers committing that crime could mean they have to leave the country.

OPINION: Permanent Residents Need to Follow Impaired Driving Act Law Carefully

Ratna Omidvar and Mobina Jaffer Canadian Immigrant December 21, 2018 Bill C-46, impaired driving, Opinions, permanent residents

One month after the passage of Bills C-45 and C-46, Senators Omidvar and Jaffer are looking for important solutions for Canada's permanent residents. Read more about how these new laws impact this group of immigrants.

Question to Minister Blair: Unintended consequences of Bills C-45 and 46 for permanent residents

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada November 6, 2018 Bill C-45, Bill C-46, cannabis, impaired driving, legalization, Questions

Senator Omidvar asks Minister Blair about his government's commitment to addressing unintended consequences of legalized cannabis and new laws on impaired driving for permanent residents.

Debate Highlights: Amending the Impaired Driving Act to Address Unintended Consequences for Permanent Residents

Ratna Omidvar Senate of Canada June 14, 2018 Bill C-46, Chamber Speeches, impaired driving, permanent residents, refugees

"Honourable senators, the amendment that Senator Jaffer has proposed is a very sensible one. It will not reduce the penalties for anyone who is charged with DUI. It will not provide special consideration or exemption of any kind for anyone who drives under the influence. It will, however, remove the severe, harsh, unintended impact on just one class of residents."

Senate spares impaired immigrant drivers from ‘sledgehammer’ penalty

Nicholas Keung Toronto Star June 13, 2018 Bill C-46, immigrants, impaired driving, permanent residents, refugees

The Senate has passed a critical amendment to the Impaired Driving Act that would spare permanent residents sentenced to less than six months from being deported.

Tougher impaired driving penalty ‘a double whammy’ for immigrants

Nicholas Keung Toronto Star June 11, 2018 Bill C-46, impaired driving

“A permanent resident in the same situation would pay the fine and face deportation,” Omidvar added. “It is a double whammy not on all people but just on a class of people. That’s an unintended consequence. The impact on permanent residents would be huge and disproportionate to what a Canadian would get.”