This week, Kyla Lee and Paul Doroshenko unpack Canada’s latest bail reform legislation — and how it quietly brings back discretionary driving prohibitions in serious offences like criminal negligence and manslaughter. They also talk about ICBC’s Indigenous driver hotline and, of course, two unforgettable Ridiculous Drivers of the Week.
This week’s discussion starts with Parliament’s new bail reform bill, which reopens the door to discretionary driving prohibitions under the Criminal Code — reversing a change from 2018. Kyla explains how the amendment affects cases involving serious driving-related offences and why it matters to defence lawyers handling criminal negligence or manslaughter charges. Timing, she notes, could make all the difference: those who resolve cases before the law passes may avoid harsher outcomes.
The conversation then turns to the backlash over ICBC’s Indigenous driver support hotline, where Kyla and Paul call out the racist undertones behind recent criticism. They emphasize that reconciliation initiatives like this one exist for good reason — to help remove real barriers that Indigenous drivers face, from access to testing to safety concerns during road exams.
Finally, the Ridiculous Drivers of the Week deliver a double feature. First, a Lamborghini driver in British Columbia racks up fines for excessive speeding and skipping winter tires. Then, in Halifax, a woman manages to steal — and surprisingly not crash — a fire truck.
Stream Episode 425 for the full discussion, legal takeaways, and a dose of dark humour that only Driving Law can deliver.
