Federal drinking and driving offences and penalties, Canada, 1996–97*
| *The 1999 Criminal Code amendments increased the minimum and maximum penalties for impaired driving, driving with a BAL above 0.08%, and failing to provide samples, and the maximum penalty for driving while prohibited or suspended when tried by indictment. | |
| †In addition to these penalties, the offender may be fined any amount the judge believes appropriate. | |
| Minimum penalty: | |
| Impaired driving | First offence: $300 fine and three month driving prohibition |
| BAL >0.08% | Second offence: 14 days' imprisonment and six month driving prohibition |
| Failing to provide samples | Subsequent offence: 90 days' imprisonment and one year driving prohibition |
| Maximum penalty: | |
| Summary conviction: $2000 fine, six months' imprisonment, and three year driving prohibition | |
| Indictment: †five years' imprisonment and three year driving prohibition | |
| Maximum penalty:† | |
| Impaired/death | 14 years' imprisonment and 10 year driving prohibition |
| Maximum penalty:† | |
| Impaired/bodily harm | 10 years' imprisonment and 10 year driving prohibition |
| Maximum penalty: | |
| Driving while prohibited | Summary conviction: $2000 fine, six months' imprisonment and three year driving prohibition |
| Indictment: †two years' imprisonment and three year driving prohibition | |