Discussions

Real dumb. MPI just gave the alcoholic who genuinely wants to change one more obstacle to becoming a clean and sober member of society. For those who don't want to change, another excuse to keep on drinking.

Makes no sense. Someone could be a closet drinker looking for help and never set foot in a vehicle yet they lose their license for over a month to prove it back. Then testing periodically? That makes no sense. Heck kick it up a notch and take it one step further and put a breathalizer in there too.

Gotta love guilty until proven innocent. I have stood up for some restrictions to freedom for the greater good of society (respecting police etc) but this is way beyond.

this could readily be abused by someone falsely accusing someone that they have disagreed with and it looks like the accused has no recourse. it is time for the MPIC to start acting like a real insurance company and quit being a pawn of a decrepit ,incompetent government.

get caught drinking and driving, you get 24 hour licence suspension.  
 
This doesn't look like it's a brand new law, but one that has existed for sometime. And it has only now come to light.

i agree that this is too far  
 
it puts the person who is seeking help into more trouble while mpi has never proven that they even have thought about driving impaired, altho i can see that they are likely thinking the people who check themselves into rehab have serious serious issues and wouldnt be capable of driving any time soon but to make them jump through mpi hoops on top isnt right.  
 
another point is you can also be an alcoholic with todays description pretty easily (binge drinking ect.) but you would still be able to only drive sober, i do assume thoes guys wouldnt check themselves into rehab tho  
 
dont want to give them ideas but what about the guys that get charged with drugs...maybe they should have their licenses suspended too

So much for Doctor Patient Confidentiality and PHIPA...  
 

We have to get rid of MPI and have some choices in this province.

And here I thought that "care and control" of a motor vehicle was a stupid charge. This is worse.  
 
In Manitoba, the mantra of "innocent until proven guilty" needs to be replaced with "guilty until proven innocent", which is happening more and more.

This is an April fools joke. Right?

Here is a comment from the CBC website from the link above:  
"Centaur  
Since distracted driving causes more accidents and deaths then drunks, anyone who signs up for a cell phone plan should lose their license as well. Thats what MPI is going for isn't it?"  
 
Centaur uses a good analogy.

I get the idea......but it's being done in the wrong way and is an example of MPI flexing their limitless muscle here.  
 
While I support fighting against drinking and driving, this approach went the opposite way. If someone enrolled for help........why are you punishing them?  
 
As said many times already.....a deterrence to those who want to seek help. What if someone is ready to seek help and their first thought is " I have a job/family/etc......I can't lose my license" , then they never do enroll.

If they really want to prevent drinking and driving. Stop selling alcohol, little extreme I know. I would rather see factory installed ignition breathalyzer's installed in every vehicle made. There no more drinking and driving for anyone. Not just alcoholics drink and drive, social drinkers drink and drive also.

It is not just through the detox unit that you will be reported. If you share with your family doctor that you are an alcoholic, they can report you to MPI and you will be required to submit these monthly/quarterly forms. The forms must be signed by your doctor or an A.A. sponsor verifying that in their best knowledge, you have not had a drum in the last few months!

Of big brother watching you. Control control control

Maybe it is time for us to show MPI that we really don't need them. Private insurance will do their job, and not become our judge and jury.

It not new that this is happening. Back in 1989 I had a doctors appointment and had blood tests done and my alcohol level was fairly high from the night before. Later that month I got a letter from m.people.M.P.I stating I have to go for an assessment at the A.F.M I did and the lady said that I may drive if I was drunk and I should stop drinking I said I'm only 19 and I take the bus when I'm drinking. A week later I had to turn my line in till I could go thrunning a 3 week treatment program and stay sober for awhile with proof from the AFM.I took me 3 months to get my lience back. I went to a lawyer human rights and they all said that they have the right to do it.

Wow!! We need to privatize!! I rarely drink and don't drink and drive and I know a lot of regular drinkers who do not drink and drive who are known drunks!! If someone was vendictive you could end up with half of a small town without a liscence!!  
 
There's an option for ones truly wanting help withou big brother MPI getting in the way, but would be more costly and our govt funded AFM would lose out if people went to rehab in another province or go to the US!! But I guess you would have to anonymously verify that MPI won't be contacted!! Aboriginals could organize a retreat/sweat lodges for healing/sobriety!! Hopefully people can get the help they need/desire!!

CBC article so how accurate is it. Not one actual person listed. Detox is not for someone that has a glass of wine every day. If they were pulling every clients license at treatment facilities, jails, hospital do you not think we would have got wind of it. Silly article with probably little truth. My views only.

alan123 said "This is an April fools joke. Right? "

not april yet,just NDP in action

traveling guy said "Maybe it is time for us to show MPI that we really don't need them. Private insurance will do their job, and not become our judge and jury. "

good point Traveling Guy ..  
 
Yes Manitoba needs to change this an go private Insurance like other provinces.  
Also heard , How can MPI over rule a court . if a court gives 1 year. then MPI can tack on another or more.  
 
Its time for some change .. I agree with no drinking an driven . but think this over board .

The way I read it, it sounds like they are treating it the same as any other medical condition that may affect the safe operation of a motor vehicle. This can only be reported by a doctor or yourself, so people with grudges against you can't just call MPI and get your license taken away.  
 
Like other medical conditions, once your are deemed to be ok to drive, your good to go.  
 
It is up to the intake dr. at the detox center, it they feel you would be a road hazard they will report you, if not, they won't.

Alcoholism, just like diabetes and epilepsy (amongst other conditions) can affect your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.  
 
You can avoid going to the doctor- keep your seizures secret, keep your blood sugar problems secret, keep your drinking secret- but it's really not to your or anyone else's benefit long-term. And just like any other condition that affects your ability to drive, the physician should pull your licence. I don't see alcoholism deserving of any special treatment here.