Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is quite correct. The former Minister of Transportation presented a bill to the Legislative Assembly in February of 2003. The bill was passed in June of 2003, and the department planned for the legislative changes to come into force early in 2004, and the introduction of regulations to the novice driver program in 2005. However, the funding for implementation and ongoing support is reduced; therefore, we have deferred the bill coming into effect. The amendments to the bill include strengthening the roadside prevention provisions and introducing an automatic 90-day suspension, provide for impoundment of vehicles while suspended, and require an offender as a condition of licence renewal reinstatement to purchase an impaired driving assessment package.
Mr. Speaker, we do not have included a requirement for the driver to take an education program, there is no education component. However, we do have, as part of the impaired driving package, a requirement to do a medical assessment and that is the extent of the legislation. We plan to have this legislation in place by January of 2005. We have identified our revenues and we are confident we will put them in place. Thank you.