Joseph Smuczek

The appellant appealed the Registrar of Motor Vehicles' decision to suspend her driver's licence due to alcohol dependence.

The Ministry of Transportation received a medical report indicating the appellant suffered from alcohol dependence.

The appellant had completed a substance abuse treatment program and maintained abstinence for five months.

The Tribunal found that the appellant had not yet met the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators Medical Standards for Drivers, which recommends a six-month period of abstinence and a favourable recommendation from a treating physician.

The Tribunal confirmed the licence suspension, finding the six-month waiting period reasonable given the risks associated with alcohol dependence and driving.

The appellant, a commercial truck driver, appealed the Ministry of Transportation's decision to downgrade his Class A commercial driver's licence to a Class G non-commercial licence.

The downgrade was prompted by a medical report indicating the appellant's implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) had delivered an appropriate shock to treat ventricular tachycardia.

The Licence Appeal Tribunal found that the appellant suffers from non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and that the recent ICD shock, in accordance with the CCMTA Medical Standards for Drivers, poses a significant risk to public safety.

The Tribunal confirmed the Ministry's decision to downgrade the licence.