– Distracted Driving Bulletin: New Brunswick confirms
exemption for Ham Radio Operators.
2014-03-18
The Radio Amateurs of Canada are today announcing confirmation that the New
Brunswick Government has tabled new legislation to provide an exemption to that
province’s distracted driving law for amateur radio operators. The announcement was
made at the Legislature in Fredericton today with amateur radio operators in
attendance at the invitation of Minister of Justice’s Troy Lifford recent invitation.
RAC member Alan Thurber VE1AKT was formally recognized in the Legislature with
extensive recognition of his involvement in amateur radio, various groups and the
community in general.
While RAC finds victory in today’s announcement, we hope the New Brunswick
government will make this a permanent exemption. RAC took a strong positions going
as far back as December 2010 with respect to New Brunswick’s then new legislation
banning the use of any mobile radios for amateur operators. “It goes without saying
we are extremely satisfied that New Brunswick has finally come to recognize that
amateur radio enhances public safety.” – Geoff Bawden, RAC President.
Exemptions exist in other provincial jurisdictions in Canada – thanks to the efforts of
local amateurs and RAC’s national strategy to address distracted driving legislation.
The Radio Amateurs of Canada is Canada’s national voice for Amateur Radio. Our
efforts not only promote the Amateur Radio Service but protect it from regulatory
interference that may lead to less capability in providing emergency communications.
Geoff Bawden VE4BAW, President, Radio Amateurs of Canada
Ve4baw@rac.ca

Len Morgan VE9MY, RAC Deputy Director – Atlantic Region
morgakl@nb.sympatico.ca