Order Amending the Approved Screening Devices Order: SOR/2019-25

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 153, Number 3

Registration

SOR/2019-25 January 28, 2019

CRIMINAL CODE

The Attorney General of Canada, pursuant to paragraph 254.01(a) footnote a of the Criminal Code footnote b, makes the annexed Order Amending the Approved Screening Devices Order.

Ottawa, January 24, 2019

David Lametti
Attorney General of Canada

Order Amending the Approved Screening Devices Order

Amendment

1 Section 2 of the Approved Screening Devices Order footnote 1 is amended by striking out the word “and” at the end of paragraph (h), by adding the word “and” at the end of paragraph (i) and by adding the following after paragraph (i):

Coming into Force

2 This Order comes into force on the day on which it is registered.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Order.)

Issues

The amendment to the Approved Screening Devices Order approves the device known as the “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” as being an “approved screening device” for the purposes of the Criminal Code. The Order came into effect on the date that it was registered under the Statutory Instruments Act by the Privy Council Office.

Background

Before police may use a screening device for preliminary breath-testing that is designed to ascertain a probable prohibited blood alcohol concentration in a person, the Attorney General of Canada must approve the screening device. Approval of the “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” as an approved screening device permits its use by law enforcement.

Objectives

Approval of the “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” increases the number of approved screening devices, providing police departments with increased opportunities for the purchase and use of new equipment by law enforcement.

Description

The inclusion of the “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” in the Order lists it as an “approved screening device” for the purposes of the Criminal Code.

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply to this Order, as there is no change in administrative costs to business.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply to this Order, as there are no costs for small business.

Consultation

The “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” was examined by the Alcohol Test Committee (ATC) of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science, and approval of this screening device was recommended by the ATC, which is composed of forensic specialists in the breath-testing field and has national and international representation.

A notice of the Attorney General of Canada’s intention to approve the “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” as an “approved screening device” was published in Part I of the Canada Gazette on November 10, 2018. This was followed by a 30-day public comment period which expired on December 10, 2018. No comments were received during the public comment period.

Rationale

The “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” meets the ATC’s scientific standards for inclusion as an approved screening device. A screening device must receive approval by order of the Attorney General of Canada under the authority of the Criminal Code before it can be used by police forces in Canada for the purposes of the Criminal Code.

Implementation, enforcement and service standards

There are no compliance mechanisms required. Use of the “Dräger Alcotest® 6820” by police agencies is voluntary.

Contact

Monique Macaranas
Paralegal
Criminal Law Policy Section
Telephone: 613-948-8902
Email: monique.macaranas@justice.gc.ca