Ottawa focuses on distracted driving
GARNEAU CALLS FOR TOUGH NATIONAL STANDARD
Transport Minister Marc Garneau is calling for the creation of a tough national standard to penalize distracted drivers using their cellphones on the road.
Garneau said Wednesday that having consistent national rules with stiffer fines and demerit points could address the growing number of incidents.
While dangerous driving is covered under the Criminal Code, cases involving distraction are a provincial responsibility with fines and demerit points that vary widely across regions.
Provincial penalties for distracted driving range from $80 to $100 plus three demerit points in Quebec to a maximum fine of $1,200 and five demerit points in Prince Edward Island, according to the Canadian Automobile Club.
Cellphones and handheld electronic devices are banned while driving in all provinces, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, but there is no prohibition on driving while using hands-free devices.
On Tuesday, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Roger Brown testified that Pasieka most likely was suffering from schizophrenia.
Defence lawyer Peter Royal asked Brown what effect the mental illness would have had on Pasieka’s ability to form the intent to kill. Brown replied that the accused would have understood that inflicting severe injury on someone would have led to their death.
He said Pasieka was capable of exercising free will and making choices.
The psychiatrist said he was not able to come to a clear conclusion on the motive for the stabbings.
Thierno Bah, 41, and Fitzroy Harris, 50, were killed in the attack.
Several co-workers testified earlier at the trial, including one who said he was stabbed multiple times. Mahmoud Ayesh described Pasieka as angry, but calculated. It didn’t seem like he was out of control, Ayesh added.
Others said that throughout the attack, Pasieka was either yelling or speaking.
“He said he hates us,” testified Axamed Mektar, who was also stabbed.