The former deputy premier of Saskatchewan, Don McMorris, has pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit.
He was sentenced to pay a $1820 fine ($1400 fine plus a 30 per cent surcharge) and handed a one-year driving suspension.
McMorris was pulled over in a government vehicle on Aug. 5 at around 11:30 a.m. on Highway 1 near White City, east of Regina. He was charged with impaired driving.
Court heard McMorris was pulled over by RCMP through a complaint of a driver who reported to police of seeing an erratic driver on the road.
According to the Crown, McMorris was seen weaving back and forth on Highway 1, and at times crossed the centre line and the rumble strip. The Crown also said a GoPro video shows his erratic driving.
Court heard that when police approached his vehicle at 11:45 a.m. CT, there was a faint odour of alcohol on McMorris’ breath. The Crown said his eyes and face were somewhat puffy. Further inspection found no recognizable odour of alcohol in his car.
Court also heard McMorris was asked to exit the vehicle by the RCMP officer. When asked if he had been drinking within the past 24 hours, he replied yes.
He failed a breathalyzer, was arrested, and taken back to the RCMP detachment. Court heard McMorris provided samples that showed he had 0.210 and 0.200 mgs of alcohol in his system, equivalent to 2.5 times the legal limit.
Court also heard McMorris had been drinking the night before with a friend. His defence lawyer, Aaron Fox, explained they were watching the Roughriders football game and the drinking continued late into the evening. McMorris believed he was OK to drive home the next morning.
Speaking to provincial court judge Barbara Tomkins, McMorris apologized for his actions and said he regrets his decision that day. He said he felt embarrassed and ashamed. McMorris also mentioned that he is taking steps to prevent this from happening again, including seeking counseling.
“I know so much better than this,” McMorris said to judge Tomkins inside the courtroom.
The Crown was asking for a fine of $2000 but Judge Tomkins pointed to some key mitigating factors. She said he seemed genuinely remorseful and he had already lost credibility as a public figure. Tomkins also said she was impressed that he said he felt ashamed, something she said she rarely hears in court.
“The mitigating factor that was that she saw here was that there was a prompt and immediate guilty plea, a clear acknowledgement that he had done something wrong,” Fox explained outside the courtroom.
McMorris also addressed media outside. He said he knows better and there are still no excuses for his actions on Aug. 5.
“I just want to say I’m extremely ashamed and embarrassed of my actions that day. There’s no excuses, no rationale whatsoever for what I’ve done,” McMorris said.
“I’ve been very lucky that there was no one hurt or injured because that definitely could have happened.”
McMorris said he’s has sought out counseling since the incident and will continue to attend those sessions.
“I would do anything if I could change that day but I can’t. I can’t live in the past,” he explained.
“I need to make some changes in my life and I’m committed to that so this never ever happens again.”
“I’ve beat myself up for the last month.”
READ MORE: Former deputy premier Don McMorris charged with impaired driving
McMorris resigned from his roles immediately after, which included minister responsible for SGI and minister responsible for Liquor and Gaming Authority.
McMorris is the fourth Saskatchewan Party MLA to face an impaired driving charge or conviction.
With files from Teri Fikowski
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