MADD wants code of conduct for Sask. politicians

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is calling on the Saskatchewan government to formally establishdisciplinary measures for elected officials convicted of crimes.

The proposal for a code of conduct that would cover all elected officials was one of seven recommendations MADD made to the provincial government on Tuesday.

Officials with the group metwith Joe Hargrave, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, as well as Justice Minister Gord Wyant.

Other recommendations include: establishing a zero tolerance for alcohol for drivers under 22, expanding a tip line for citizens to report impaired drivers, and toughening up the rules for roadside prohibitions and impounding vehicles.

Daughter killed by drunk driver

One of the people at the news conference wasAllanKerpan,a former MLA whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver.

"Our daughter Danille was hit on the No.11 Highway, just south of Bladworth," Kerpan said.

"The fellow that hit her was going the wrong way down No.11 Highway for about 40 kilometres. There were 16 16 911 calls."

Kerpan says the closest officer was more than an hour away and whilehe does not blame the police, MADD would like more enforcement of the law.

The group is recommending that the government add more police to the roads to deal with the issue.

• More can be done to change drinking and driving culture in Saskatchewan: Opposition

According to SGI'spreliminary numbers, last year there were53 peoplekilled and 562injured in Saskatchewan in crashes related to impaired driving.

"You may think it could never happen to you, or you only had a few drinks and you feel fine, or you're a good driver and won't crash," Hargrave said in a news release."But the reality is, it can happen to you."

Hargravereplaced former SGI Minister Don McMorris after McMorris was charged during the summerwith a drinking-and-driving offence.

• Don McMorris pleads guilty to drunk-driving charge, has licence suspended

McMorrislater pleaded guilty to having a blood-alcohol level over .08 per cent.

Andrew Murie, the CEO of MADD Canada, said the proposed code of conduct would apply to all politicians who are convicted of impaired driving.

"If every place had a code of conduct, employers or whatever, then it's much easier to deal with," he said.

"So it's not targeted at Don McMorris, but it just brings up the example that it happens all the time.".

It doesn't sound like the government is ready to adopt that proposal, however.

Wyant says Premier Brad Wall dealt with McMorris appropriately by having him leave the government caucus to sit as an Independent.

Hargrave said the government will consider all of the other recommendations and will be ready to act afterthe Legislature reconvenes later this month.