Whereas the federal government plans to legalize cannabis in 2017; And whereas there are no established levels of impairment by cannabis for the purposes of Motor Vehicle Act enforcement, and no tested or approved roadside cannabis impairment testing equipment; And whereas police officers are dependent on trained Drug Recognition Experts to properly assess a potentially drug-impaired driver: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government be requested to fund training for municipal police agencies to increase the number of certified Drug Recognition Experts in order to properly police drug-impaired driving in British Columbia.
Ministry of Public Safety Solicitor General Government recognizes the importance of ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the training and resources required to effectively respond to the risks and issues of drug impaired driving. In addition, Government acknowledges that drug recognition experts, along with other enforcement tools, are critical to appropriately police drug impaired driving in British Columbia. The provincial Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Secretariat and other staff in the Policing and Security Branch, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, have been collaborating with Public Safety Canada, RCMP, and municipal police departments in BC to identify and respond to the needs of the provinces policing agencies and build capacity of law enforcement to address drug-impaired driving. This includes consideration for matters such as law enforcement resources to train frontline officers in how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug impaired driving, and provide access to drug screening devices. The Government of Canada has announced dedicated funding for law enforcement training to build capacity to enforce new drug impaired driving laws. The Province will work to ensure resources directed to British Columbia are allocated appropriately.