Distracted Driving Regulations in Canada: An Overview
Richard Ferch, VE3KI
RAC Regulatory Affairs Officer
In light of the recent decision by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to make permanent the exemption for two-way radios for commercial drivers and Amateur Radio operators, we have reviewed the regulations in Canada and, to the best of our knowledge, the exemptions in all other provinces and territories are “permanent” (i.e., with no defined end date).
The one exception is Nunavut where there is apparently no exemption.
These regulations are made and enforced by Provincial and Territorial governments and can vary considerably from province/territory to province/territory and over time and are subject to change. In addition, in some cases the text of the exemption may be somewhat ambiguous and open to interpretation.
In some provinces, including Ontario, the exemption may apply only to mobile radios and not to handheld radios (unless the handheld radio is used with a separate hand microphone).
Alberta:
Section 3(1): Pursuant to section 115.1(1) of the Act, an individual who holds a radio operator certificate issued under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) may drive or operate a vehicle on a highway while holding, viewing or manipulating a 2‑way radio communication device.
British Columbia:
Updated: https://tinyurl.com/4nt3zf6k
Section 9 (“hand microphone” is defined in section 3(2)):
9 A person may use a hand microphone while driving or operating a motor vehicle on a highway if
(a) the device is within easy reach of the driver’s seat, and
(b) is securely fixed to the motor vehicle or worn securely on the person’s body in a manner that does not obstruct the person’s view of the front or sides of the motor vehicle or interfere with the safety or operating equipment of the motor vehicle.
Manitoba:
Section 215.1(5):
215.1(5) Subsection (2) does not apply to the use of
(a) a radio apparatus, as defined in section 2 of the Radiocommunication Act (Canada), that
(i) is operated under the authority of a radio operator certificate issued under that Act,
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Section 176.1(4)(b):
176.1 (4) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of the use of
(b) a device that is linked to a non-public shortwave radio communication system.
New Brunswick:
Section 265.03(e):
265.03 Section 265.02 does not apply to a person
(e) who uses a two-way radio while operating a motor vehicle on a highway if that person is the holder of a radio operator certificate issued under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada),
Northwest Territories:
Schedule B, item 6:
May be used on any road as long as the transceiver is mounted to the motor vehicle and the user is lawfully authorized to use the transceiver (for all services including commercial services, the General Radio Service (GRS), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Amateur Radio Service).
Nova Scotia:
Section 100D(1) (two-way radios not included):
100D (1) It is an offence for a person to use a hand-held cellular telephone or engage in text messaging on any communications device while operating a vehicle on a highway or operating a personal transporter on a roadway or a sidewalk.
Nunavut:
Section 239.1: No exemption found
Ontario:
Section (13)1:
(1) Drivers who hold a valid radio operator certificate issued under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a two-way radio.
Prince Edward Island:
Section 291.1(4)(b):
291.1 Hand-held devices holding or use prohibited while driving
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of the use of
(b) a device that is linked to a non-public shortwave radio communication system.
Quebec:
The official online document, “What the Law says”, states under the heading “Exceptions”, second bullet:
The prohibition from holding a hand-held device that includes a telephone function does not apply: in the case of a two-way radio, that is, a device that does not allow the parties to speak simultaneously – also known as a walkie-talkie, mobile transceiver, two-way portable radio or two-way transceiver
Saskatchewan:
The third column of the PDF document states: two-way radios are not included in the definition of “electronic communications equipment” in the Traffic Safety Act.
Yukon:
Section 88.2(2):
88.2 (2) A person who is a fully licensed driver may, despite subsection 210.1(2) of the Act, use a two-way radio that is an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a highway, provided that the person does not use it in a telephone function or for transmitting or receiving electronic mail or other text-based messages.
Distracted Driving Regulations in Canada
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by Provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. Radio Amateurs of Canada has prepared a list of links to current regulations in all provinces that have established them and they are provided below.
Radio Amateurs of Canada representatives in our regions often work to clarify regulations where Amateurs may be caught up in them or when the regulations are being created or modified. A committee was formed to monitor the legislation and work with government officials on a province by province basis to look after the interests of Canadian Amateurs. This committee is under the direction of RAC British Columbia/Yukon Lead, Bill Gipps, VE7XS. Two provinces are the focus of current activity: British Columbia and Ontario.
RAC will continue to provide additional information about distracted driving regulations on the RAC website as it unfolds.
Links to information about Distracted Driving
Here are some links to sites with information about distracted driving. The CAA page includes links to the provinces and territories in Canada.
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA)
English: http://www.caa.ca/distracted-driving/
French: http://www.caa.ca/fr/distraction-au-volant/
Insurance Bureau of Canada
English: http://www.ibc.ca/qc/auto/distracted-driving-likelife
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
English: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cycp-cpcj/dd-dv/index-eng.htm
French: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cycp-cpcj/dd-dv/index-fra.htm
February 2020 update: Ontario
For immediate release:
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time.
In Ontario, RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South) have been working hard on this issue.
We are pleased to announce that effective February 14, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has “made permanent the exemption under Ontario Regulation 366/09 (Display Screens and Hand-Held Devices) of the Highway Traffic Act for hand-held two-way radios for commercial drivers and Amateur Radio operators.”
The official publication of the amendment to the regulations is available online at:
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20018
The amendment came into force on February 14.
The key item mentioned in the amendment is as follows:
“5. Subsection 13(2) of the Regulation is revoked.”
This indicates that the former subsection 13(2), which was the previous time limit which was set on the exemption for the handheld use of two-way radios has been removed.
English:
Amendment: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20018
Regulation: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/090366
French:
Amendement : https://www.ontario.ca/fr/lois/reglement/r20018
Règlement : https://www.ontario.ca/fr/lois/reglement/090366
Background Information
Distracted Driving in Canada
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by Provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. Radio Amateurs of Canada has prepared a list of links to current regulations in all provinces that have established them and they are provided below.
Radio Amateurs of Canada representatives in our regions often work to clarify regulations where Amateurs may be caught up in them or when the regulations are being created or modified. A committee was formed to monitor the legislation and work with government officials on a province by province basis to look after the interests of Canadian Amateurs. This committee is under the direction of RAC British Columbia/Yukon Lead, Bill Gipps, VE7XS. Two provinces are the focus of current activity: British Columbia and Ontario.
In British Columbia, Bill Gipps, VE7XS, together with two local Amateurs (Chris Scholefield, VE7QCS and Dave Miller, VE7HR), met several times with representatives of the BC Government to discuss BC distracted driving regulations and their application to Amateur Radio. The BC Government completed their stakeholder engagement and published a new document in February 2017 which clearly spells out that Amateurs can use “push to talk” buttons, on our Amateur Radios, while operating in our motor vehicles.
RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South), had a very productive meeting with Ontario Ministry of Transportation officials on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. The purpose of the meeting was to consult with industry stakeholders on Ontario’s Distracted Driving Law and, specifically, the current five-year exemption for the handheld use of two-way radios set to expire on January 1, 2018. The meeting resulted in a very productive exchange of information.
RAC will continue to provide additional information about distracted driving regulations on the RAC website as it unfolds. The information provided below shows some of the efforts of RAC officials in support of Amateur Radio.
September 2019 update
For immediate release:
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. In Ontario, RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South) have been working hard on this issue.
On December 15, 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced that the current two-way radio exemption for “Amateur Radio operators and specified commercial, public transit, and public function drivers was extended for a further three-years until January 1, 2021.”
We are pleased to report that the Ministry is currently considering making the two-way radio exemption permanent and it has invited comments on this proposal as well as any additional suggestions or comments on how it could minimize distracted driving while supporting economic growth and prosperity in the province.
A summary of these proposals has been posted to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry Display Screens and Hand-Held Devices – Exemption Review (Posting #2019-MTO028) and can be viewed in English or French.
English:
https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?language=en&postingId=30387
French:
https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?language=fr&postingId=30387
The posting will be open for review and comments for 45 days, from September 18, 2019 until November 4, 2019.
For more information about Distracted Driving in Canada please visit:
Distracted Driving Distraction au volant
December 2017 update | November 2017 update | Regulations |
June 2017 update | March 2017 update | Links
Update: December 15, 2017
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. In Ontario, RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South) have been working hard on this issue.
On December 15, 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced that the current two-way radio exemption for “Amateur Radio operators and specified commercial, public transit, and public function drivers will be extended for a further three-years, effective January 1, 2018 until January 1, 2021.”
The update to the regulation can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r17475.
While we were hoping for a permanent exemption, this decision by the MTO ensures our continued ability to operate Amateur Radio apparatus while mobile. RAC will continue to press for a permanent exemption going forward.
For more information visit our Distracted Driving webpage at: Distracted-Driving.
Distractions au volant au Canada : L’exemption temporaire pour l’Ontario a été prolongée jusqu’au 1er janvier 2021
Pour diffusion immédiate, le 15 décembre 2017
Traduction par Jean Desbiens, VE2OCQ. Merci Jean!
La règlementation sur les distractions au volant continue de susciter l’intérêt de nombreux radioamateurs canadiens. Ces dispositions relèvent des provinces et peuvent varier considérablement au fil des modifications apportées de temps à autre et selon le champ de compétence des autorités émettrices responsables de leur application. En Ontario, les directeurs régionaux de RAC Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Nord et Est de l’Ontario) et Phil McBride, VA3QR (Sud de l’Ontario) ont travaillé d’arrache-pied à régler cette question.
Le 15 décembre 2017, le ministère des Transports de l’Ontario (MTO) a annoncé que l’exemption actuelle relative aux postes de radio bidirectionnelle visant les « radioamateurs et certains chauffeurs désignés du secteur commercial, du transport en commun, ainsi que des chauffeurs de fonction publics sera prolongée pour une période supplémentaire de trois ans allant du 1er janvier 2018 jusqu’au 1er janvier 2021. »
On peut consulter la mise à jour de cette règlementation à l’adresse : https://www.ontario.ca/fr/lois/reglement/r17475
Bien que nous eussions préféré une exemption permanente, cette décision du MTO fait en sorte que nous pourrons continuer de jouir de notre capacité d’exploiter une station radioamateur en mode mobile. RAC continuera d’exercer des pressions pour qu’une exemption permanente soit accordée dans l’avenir.
Pour en savoir plus, visitez notre page Web Distraction au volant à l’adresse : Distracted-Driving
Update: November 22, 2017: we are awaiting a decision by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation
RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South), had a very productive meeting with Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) officials on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. The purpose of the meeting was to consult with industry stakeholders on Ontario’s Distracted Driving Law and, specifically, the current five-year exemption for the handheld use of two-way radios set to expire on January 1, 2018. The meeting resulted in a very productive exchange of information.
Allan contacted the MTO in mid-October and asked for an update. An MTO official advised him they have all the materials that was presented to them at their earlier meeting including:
- a detailed briefing note for the Minister
- condensed versions of all the legislation from the other provinces in their exemption sections
- articles on the concentration levels of full duplex versus half duplex conversations
- information about Radio Amateurs of Canada and a copy of The Canadian Amateur magazine
- documents stressing the importance of the use of radios including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) program
- the complete package of all the supporting letters that RAC received on the issue
- a letter signed by RAC President Glenn MacDonnell, VE3XRA, outlining RAC’s position
They advised that a final decision will be announced in a media conference by the Minister of Transportation on the exemption issue prior to the expiry date on January 1, 2018.
RAC will issue a bulletin as soon as we receive any information and we will also post the information here on the RAC website.
Note: RAC bulletins are sent to members who subscribe to the service by completing the online form at: rac-notifications
Distracted Driving in Canada: An Update (June 2017)
Consultations with Ontario Ministry of Transportation
RAC Directors Allan Boyd, VE3AJB (Ontario North/East) and Phil McBride, VA3QR (Ontario South), had a very productive meeting with Ontario Ministry of Transportation officials on Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
The purpose of the meeting was to consult with industry stakeholders on Ontario’s Distracted Driving Law and, specifically, the current five-year exemption for the handheld use of two-way radios set to expire on January 1, 2018. The meeting resulted in a very productive exchange of information.
At the meeting, Radio Amateurs of Canada stressed the following information:
- Radio Amateurs of Canada is the national organization representing 66,000 Amateur Radio operators across Canada, more than 20,000 in Ontario alone.
- Public service and emergency communications are vital parts of our hobby and today the desire to be able to provide this support to their communities is the leading motivator in those who choose to prepare for and pass the Government of Canada examinations required to be authorized to operate Amateur Radio equipment.
- Radio Amateurs, through the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), work closely with community emergency preparedness organizations to be able to provide communications support to first responders when disasters and emergencies occur.
- Public service and emergency communications frequently require communicating while mobile and consequently it is vital that Amateur Radio operators be allowed use our radios while in control of a motor vehicle.
- Radio Amateurs in Ontario also support community events that raise funds for charities or promote community involvement at events such as cycling events, running and ski marathons, auto rallies, parades, canoe and sailing races, Halloween patrols, and the list goes on.
At the meeting RAC presented Ministry officials with a detailed information package outlining RAC’s position as well as letters of support from Ontario Amateurs and other stakeholders who depend on Amateurs for emergency communications and community support as outlined above. The letters were sent to RAC after a call for support was issued by Directors Boyd and McBride in preparation for the meeting.
RAC Directors have participated in similar discussions across the country in each province that has enacted distracted driving legislation. Ontario is the only jurisdiction that does not have a permanent exemption.
Following the meeting, RAC President Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA, sent a letter to Claudio DeRose (Director, Safety Policy & Education Branch, Ontario Ministry of Transportation) to thank MTO officials for taking the time to meet with RAC officials. He stressed that this is “an important issue for the tens of thousands of Amateur Radio operators who live in or visit our province” and he encouraged the Ministry of Transportation to make the exemption for two-way radios permanent.
Information is now with the Ministry and the Ontario RAC Directors are waiting to hear if any further consultation is required. We will keep RAC members and the Amateur community updated as this issue unfolds. Stay tuned to the RAC website at rac.ca for more information.
Additional background information:
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by Provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. Radio Amateurs of Canada has prepared a list of links to current regulations in all provinces that have established them. They can be found at: Distracted-driving-regulations-update.
Radio Amateurs of Canada representatives in our regions often work to clarify regulations where Amateurs may be caught up in them or when the regulations are being created or modified. A committee was formed to monitor the legislation and work with government officials on a province by province basis to look after the interests of Canadian Amateurs. This committee is under the direction of RAC British Columbia/Yukon Lead, Bill Gipps, VE7XS. Two provinces are the focus of current activity: British Columbia and Ontario.
In British Columbia, Bill Gipps, VE7XS, together with two local Amateurs (Chris Scholefield, VE7QCS and Dave Miller, VE7HR), met several times with representatives of the BC Government to discuss BC distracted driving regulations and their application to Amateur Radio. The BC Government completed their stakeholder engagement and published a new document in February 2017 which clearly spells out that Amateurs can use “push to talk” buttons, on our Amateur Radios, while operating in our motor vehicles.
RAC will continue to provide additional information about distracted driving regulations on the RAC website as it unfolds. If you have any questions or concerns or you would like to send a letter of support, please feel free to contact your Director at any time at the address shown on page 4 of The Canadian Amateur magazine and on the website at Directors.
Allan Munnik, VA7MP/VE7RMP
Director British Columbia/Yukon
Radio Amateurs of Canada
22444 72nd Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 2K4
Allan Boyd, VE3AJB
Director Ontario North/East
Radio Amateurs of Canada
27 Red Mill Road, Box 208
Little Current, ON P0P1K0
Phil McBride, VA3QR
Director Ontario South
Radio Amateurs of Canada
134 Longfield Road
Acton, ON L7J 2K4
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA
President
Radio Amateurs of Canada
Nouvelles sur le dossier des distractions au volant
Juin 2017
Nos directeurs Allan Boyd, VE3AJB, Ontario North/East et Phil McBride, VA3QR, Ontario South, ont eu une rencontre très productive avec le ministère des Transports de l’Ontario le mercredi 31 mai dernier.
Le but de la rencontre était de contribuer aux discussions des parties prenantes de la loi concernant les distractions au volant en Ontario, particulièrement à propos de l’exemption en cours qui viendra à échéance le 1er janvier 2018, exemption concernant l’utilisation manuelle d’appareils radio. La rencontre s’est soldée par des échanges très utiles de renseignements.
Pendant la rencontre, Radio Amateurs du Canada a mis l’accent sur les points suivants :
- Radio Amateurs du Canada est l’organisme pancanadien qui représente 66,000 radioamateurs au pays, dont 20,000 en Ontario seulement
- Les radioamateurs doivent se préparer et passer les examens requis du Gouvernement du Canada afin de pouvoir faire fonctionner des appareils de radiocommunication. Le désir de pouvoir contribuer significativement à leur communauté par leur service de communications utilitaires et d’urgence constitue une grande motivation pour adhérer à ce passe-temps
- Grâce au Service d’Urgence Radio Amateur SURA (ARES), les radioamateurs sont en mesure d’aider les services publics à être prêts en cas d’urgence et de fournir un service d’assistance aux communications aux premiers répondants en cas d’accidents et de désastres.
- Comme l’aide aux communications des services publics et d’urgence se passe fréquemment à bord de véhicules, il est primordial que les radioamateurs soient autorisés à utiliser leurs appareils radio lorsqu’ils sont au volant
- Les radioamateurs de l’Ontario contribuent aussi aux communications utilitaires lors d’événements publics en tous genres, allant des activités de collecte de fonds à l’accompagnement des enfants à l’Halloween, en passant par les défilés, les rallyes, les marathons, les courses, les rassemblements et bien d’autres activités publiques encore.
Durant la réunion, les représentants du ministère ont reçu de nos mains une trousse de documentation qui expose en détail le point de vue de RAC, ainsi que plusieurs lettres d’appui en provenance de radioamateurs Ontariens et d’organismes pour qui le Service radioamateur a une grande importance, tel que mis en valeur ci-dessus. Les lettres d’appui ont été reçues à la suite de l’appel lancé récemment par messieurs les directeurs Boyd et McBride en préparation pour cette rencontre.
Des directeurs de RAC ont précédemment participé à des rencontres semblables dans chaque province où il y a une législation à propos des distractions au volant. L’Ontario est la seule à ne pas encore avoir d’exemption permanente.
Subséquemment à cette rencontre, le président de RAC, Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA, a envoyé une lettre officielle à Claudio DeRose, (directeur, Direction de la sensibilisation et des politiques en matière de sécurité, ministère des Transports de l’Ontario) pour remercier le ministère d’avoir pris le temps de rencontrer les représentants de RAC. En outre, il souligne « qu’il s’agit d’une cause qui tient à cœur des dizaines de milliers de radioamateurs résidants ou en visite en Ontario » et il invite le ministère des Transports à rendre permanente l’exemption pour les appareils de radiocommunication.
Le ministère a pris le dossier en délibéré et nos directeurs ontariens sont en alerte au cas où d’autres interventions seraient nécessaires. Nous allons tenir nos membres, et les radioamateurs en général, au courant des développements dans ce dossier. Suivez cela de près sur notre site Web rac.ca
La règlementation à propos des distractions au volant suscite toujours de l’intérêt pour plusieurs radioamateurs canadiens. Les règlements sont sous la compétence des gouvernements provinciaux et varient d’une province à l’autre de temps à autre. RAC a compilé une liste des sites Web de cette règlementation pour les provinces qui en ont une. Voyez cette liste : Distracted-driving-regulations-update.
Les représentants régionaux de RAC travaillent souvent à clarifier la règlementation où les radioamateurs pourraient se faire piéger ou lorsque les règlements sont établis ou amendés. Un sous-comité a été constitué pour garder l’œil ouvert sur la règlementation et travailler avec les gouvernements de chaque province afin de protéger les intérêts des radioamateurs canadiens. C’est Bill Gipps, VE7XS, directeur de RAC pour Colombie-Britannique/Yukon qui dirige ce sous-comité, et il concentre présentement son énergie sur deux provinces en particulier, la Colombie-Britannique et l’Ontario.
En Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.), Bill Gipps, VE7XS, accompagné de deux amateurs locaux, (Chris Scholefield, VE7QCS et Dave Miller, VE7HR), ont eu plusieurs rencontres avec le gouvernement pour discuter de la règlementation sur la distraction au volant et de son application au radioamateurisme. Le gouvernement de la C.-B. a honoré son engagement auprès des parties prenantes et a procédé à la publication d’un nouveau document en février 2017 où il est clairement spécifié que les radioamateurs sont autorisés à « manipuler » leurs appareils de radiocommunication à bord de leurs véhicules.
RAC continuera de fournir plus de détails au sujet de la règlementation sur les distractions au volant sur le site Web de RAC au fur et à mesure des événements. Pour toutes questions ou tout commentaire, ou encore si vous voulez envoyez une lettre d’appui, contactez simplement votre directeur RAC en tout temps à l’adresse qui apparaît à la page 4 de la revue TCA et sur la page Web Directors.
Allan Munnik, VA7MP/VE7RMP
Directeur RAC Colombie-Britannique/Yukon
Radio Amateurs du Canada
22444 72e Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 2K4
Allan Boyd, VE3AJB
Directeur RAC Ontario North/East
Radio Amateurs du Canada
27 Red Mill Road, BP 208
Little Current, ON P0P1K0
Phil McBride, VA3QR
Directeur RAC Ontario South
Radio Amateurs du Canada
134 Longfield RoadActon, ON
L7J 2K4
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA
Président
Radio Amateurs du Canada
Distracted Driving in Canada: An Update (March 2017)
Distracted driving regulations continue to be an area of interest for many Canadian Radio Amateurs. These regulations are made and enforced by Provincial governments and can vary considerably from province to province and over time. Radio Amateurs of Canada has prepared a list of links to current regulations in all provinces that have established them. They can be found at: Distracted-driving-regulations-update.
Radio Amateurs of Canada representatives in our regions often work to clarify regulations where Amateurs may be caught up in them or when the regulations are being created or modified. A Subcommittee has been formed to monitor the legislation and work with government officials on a province by province basis to look after the interests of Canadian Amateurs. This committee is under the direction of RAC British Columbia/Yukon Lead, Bill Gipps, VE7XS. Two provinces are the focus of current activity: British Columbia and Ontario.
In British Columbia, Bill Gipps, VE7XS, together with two local Amateurs (Chris Scholefield, VE7QCS and Dave Miller, VE7HR), has met several times with representatives of the BC Government to discuss BC distracted driving regulations and their application to Amateur Radio. The BC Amateurs were pleased with the significant progress made through these sessions and continued to follow the process while the BC Government engaged other stakeholders and solicited their input. The process was recently completed and a new, clarifying document was published by the Government on its website at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/driving/publications/electronic-devices-while-driving.pdf. This document, while not perfect, does address the use of hand microphones that had been the major issue earlier. It should be printed and kept in your vehicle along with a copy of your Amateur Radio Operator’s certificate.
In Ontario, a temporary exemption for Amateurs in Ontario is due to expire on January 1, 2018. RAC Ontario South Director Phil McBride, VA3QR and RAC North/East Director, Al Boyd, VE3AJB, have obtained some letters of support, but more are needed. They are looking for additional letters of support from organizations that support Amateur Radio communications. We need to show our Provincial governments the importance of Amateur Radio and why we require the ability to communicate from our vehicles for public service events like parades, walk-a-thons, bike rallies and, most importantly, for emergency communications and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) activities that support first responders like Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). We have been in touch with the Minister of Transportation’s policy advisors and a meeting has been scheduled for this spring to explain our position and these letters are needed to provide additional support. We would appreciate it if you would please forward them to your Regional Director listed below. We have received word that the Ontario Government is considering the Amateur Radio exemption issue.
RAC will continue to provide additional information about distracted driving regulations on the RAC website as it unfolds. If you have any questions or concerns or you would like to send a letter of support, please feel free to contact your Director at any time at the address shown on page 4 of The Canadian Amateur magazine and on the website at Directors.
Allan Munnik, VA7MP/VE7RMP
Director British Columbia/Yukon
Radio Amateurs of Canada
22444 72nd Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 2K4
Allan Boyd, VE3AJB
Director Ontario North/East
Radio Amateurs of Canada
27 Red Mill Road, Box 208
Little Current, ON P0P1K0
Phil McBride, VA3QR
Director Ontario South
Radio Amateurs of Canada
134 Longfield Road
Acton, ON L7J 2K4
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA
President
Radio Amateurs of Canada
Nouvelles sur le dossier des distractions au volant (mars 2017)
Traduction par René Lévesque, VE2CNJ. Merci René!
La règlementation à propos des distractions au volant suscite toujours de l’intérêt pour plusieurs radioamateurs canadiens. Les règlements sont sous la juridiction des gouvernements provinciaux et varient d’une province à l’autre de temps à autre. RAC a compilé une liste des sites Web de cette règlementation pour les provinces qui en ont une. Voyez cette liste : /qc/reglements-sur-la-conduite-inattentive.
Les représentants régionaux de RAC travaillent souvent à clarifier la règlementation où les radioamateurs pourraient se faire piéger ou lorsque les règlements sont établis ou amendés. Un sous-comité a été constitué pour garder l’œil ouvert sur la règlementation et travailler avec les gouvernements de chaque province afin de protéger les intérêts des radioamateurs canadiens. C’est Bill Gipps, VE7XS, directeur de RAC pour Colombie-Britannique/Yukon qui dirige ce sous-comité, et il concentre présentement son énergie sur deux provinces en particulier, la Colombie Britannique et l’Ontario.
En Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.), Bill Gipps, VE7XS, accompagné de deux amateurs locaux, (Chris Scholefield, VE7QCS and Dave Miller, VE7HR), ont eu plusieurs rencontres avec le gouvernement pour discuter de la règlementation sur la distraction au volant et de son application au radioamateurisme. Les radioamateurs de la C.-B. ont été heureux des grands progrès accomplis au cours de ces rencontres et sont restés attentifs au processus pendant que le gouvernement de la C.-B. sollicitait l’opinion d’autres intervenants dans le dossier. Ce processus s’est complété récemment et le gouvernement de la C.-B. a produit un nouveau document de clarification accessible sur ce lien Web : http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/driving/publications/electronic-devices-while-driving.pdf. Ce document, bien qu’imparfait, couvre l’utilisation des microphones de main, sujet précédemment très controversé. On suggère d’avoir une copie de ce document, ainsi que votre certificat de radioamateur, dans votre véhicule.
En Ontario, une exemption temporaire pour les radioamateurs devrait prendre fin le premier janvier 2018. Phil McBride, VA3QR, directeur RAC Ontario South et Al Boyd, VE3AJB, directeur RAC North/East, ont obtenu quelques lettres de pétition, mais il en faut beaucoup plus, particulièrement d’organismes qui appuient l’importance du radioamateurisme, pour démontrer aux gouvernements provinciaux l’importance d’assurer les communications publiques lors d’événements comme les parades, les marches, les tours de cyclisme et, le plus important, pour les communications d’urgences SURA (ARES) qui contribuent au soutien des premiers répondants comme la police, les pompiers et les ambulances. Nous avons contacté les conseillers du ministère des transports pour obtenir une rencontre ce printemps-ci afin d’exposer notre point de vue. Nous avons besoin de lettres supplémentaires pour appuyer notre demande. S’il vous plaît, envoyez vos lettres aux directeurs régionaux énumérés ci-dessous. Nous avons entendu dire que le gouvernement de l’Ontario était en train de considérer le cas de l’exemption des radioamateurs.
RAC continuera de fournir plus de détails au sujet de la règlementation sur les distractions au volant sur le site Web de RAC au fur et à mesure des événements. Pour toutes questions ou tout commentaire, ou encore si vous voulez envoyez une lettre de soutien, contactez simplement votre directeur RAC en tout temps à l’adresse qui apparaît à la page 4 de la revue TCA et sur la page Web Directors.
Allan Munnik, VA7MP/VE7RMP
Directeur RAC Colombie-Britannique/Yukon
Radio Amateurs du Canada
22444 72e Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 2K4
Allan Boyd, VE3AJB
Directeur RAC Ontario North/East
Radio Amateurs du Canada
27 Red Mill Road, BP 208
Little Current, ON P0P1K0
Phil McBride, VA3QR
Directeur RAC Ontario South
Radio Amateurs du Canada
134 Longfield Road
Acton, ON L7J 2K4
Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA
Président
Radio Amateurs du Canada