Ottawa says it won’t criminalize cellphone use at the wheel
OTTAWA — The federal government is not considering making cellphone use at the wheel a criminal offence.
A spokeswoman for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said Thursday provincial laws already exist to crack down on the dangerous practice.
Quebec coroner Michel Ferland recently suggested Ottawa amend the Criminal Code to make it a crime if a motorist causes injuries or death while using a cellphone.
Quebec’s new transport minister, Laurent Lessard, said Wednesday that Ottawa should study the possibility of criminalizing cellphone use at the wheel and that he intended to discuss the matter with his federal counterpart, Marc Garneau.