View source for Breath Sample Demand (Until December 13, 2018)

{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffencesMV}}
==Introduction==
As part of the offence of "Over 80" under s. 253(1)(b), the crown must prove the accused's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is over 0.08 per millilitres.<ref>
see [{{CCCSec|253}} s. 253]</ref>

Under s. 254(3), a sample of breath, urine or blood can be taken for measurement. The sample can be analysed and a blood alcohol level can be measured. This measurement can be used to infer the BAC level at the time that the accused was operating a motor vehicle.

The procedure required for a proper demand under s. 254(3) must be followed. The taking of a sample counts as a search and if the procedure is not followed then it will amount to a search not authorized by law, and therefore violate s. 8 of the Charter. Section 254(3) sets the constitutional minimum requirement for a search.<ref>
''R v Shepherd'', [2009] 2 SCR 527, [http://canlii.ca/t/24kx6 2009 SCC 35] (CanLII){{perSCC|McLachlin CJ and Charron J}}{{atL|24kx6|13}}<br>
</ref>

The timing of the sample is of great importance. The timing must be in relation to the time in which the accused was in care and control of the vehicle and in relation to the time where the officer initially forms grounds of suspicion and belief.

Most details of the demand, such as who asked for the demand or where it was made, are not essential to prove. There only needs to be evidence that the demand was made with sufficient grounds as soon as practicable.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Wylie|g1qgs|2013 ONCA 673 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtONCA}}
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==Breath Sample==
Under s. 254(3), a peace officer may demand an Intoxilyzer breath sample where the officer has “reasonable and probable grounds” to believe that the person is committing, or has committed in the last three hours, an impaired driving offence. 
{{quotation1|
s.254<br>...<br>
; Samples of breath or blood
(3) If a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is committing, or at any time within the preceding three hours has committed, an offence under section 253 {{AnnSec2|253}} as a result of the consumption of alcohol, the peace officer may, by demand made as soon as practicable, require the person
:(a) to provide, as soon as practicable,
::(i) samples of breath that, in a qualified technician’s opinion, will enable a proper analysis to be made to determine the concentration, if any, of alcohol in the person’s blood, or
::(ii) ...; and
:(b) if necessary, to accompany the peace officer for that purpose.

...<br>
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 254; R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.)}}, s. 36, c. 1 (4th Supp.), ss. 14, 18(F), c. 32 (4th Supp.), s. 60; {{LegHistory90s|1999, c. 32}}, s. 2(Preamble); {{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 19.
{{Annotation}}
|[{{CCCSec|254}} CCC]
|{{NoteUp|}}
}}

{{Reflist|2}}

===Outside 3 Hours Window===
Where the officer has not made a demand for a screening sample under s. 254(2)(b) or a demand for a breath sample in an approved device under s. 254(3), the officer may still make a demand under s. 254(3.3):
{{quotation1|
254 (1) 
<br>...<br>
; Testing for presence of alcohol
(3.3) If the evaluating officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that the person has alcohol in their body and if a demand was not made under paragraph (2)(b) or subsection (3), the evaluating officer may, by demand made as soon as practicable, require the person to provide, as soon as practicable, a sample of breath that, in the evaluating officer’s opinion, will enable a proper analysis to be made by means of an approved instrument.
<br>...<br>
|[{{CCCSec|254}} CCC]
|{{NoteUp|}}
}}

=="Reasonable grounds to believe"==
* See [[Reasonable Grounds Under Section 254(3)]]

==Blood or Breath Sample Demand==
The demand informs the accused of the intention to take a sample of blood or breath. A typical sample demand under s. 254(3) will go as follows:
{{quotation1|
'''Breathalyzer Demand'''
:"I demand you to accompany me to <location of breathalyser > and to provide samples of your breath, suitable to enable an analysis to be made in order to determine  the concentration, if any, of alcohol in your blood. Should you refuse this demand, you will be charged with the offence of refusal.

<br>
:Do you understand?"
}}

{{quotation1|
'''Blood Sample Demand'''
:"I demand you to accompany me to <location> and to provide such samples of your blood, as in the opinion of the qualified medical practitioner or qualified technician taking the samples, are necessary to determine the concentration, if any, of alcohol in your blood. Should you refuse this demand, you will be charged with the offence of refusal.

<br>
:Blood samples will only be taken by or under the direction of a qualified medical practitioner and if the qualified medical practitioner is satisfied that the taking of the samples will not endanger your life or health.
<br>

:Do you understand?"
}}

The demand must be in plain language, sufficient for the accused understand what is required of them.
<ref>
''R v Harasym'', [http://canlii.ca/t/21dv5 2008 ABQB 649] (CanLII){{perABQB|McIntyre J}}{{atL|21dv5|30}}</ref> 
There is no fixed formula or magic wording, rather sufficiency can be inferred on the surrounding circumstances of the demand.
<ref>
''R v Nicholson'' (1970) 8 CCC (2d) 170 (NSCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/hv008 1970 CanLII 1094] (NS CA){{perNSCA|McKinnon CJ}} - no special words are needed, only must be clear that there is no choice <br>
''R v Flegel'' (1972) 7 CCC (2d) 55 (SKCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/htxh0 1972 CanLII 1332] (SK CA){{perSKCA|Culliton CJ}}<br>
''R v Boucher'' (1986) 47 MVR 173 (SKCA){{NOCANLII}}<br>
''R v Langdon'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1nplq 1992 CanLII 2776] (NL CA), (1992), 74 CCC (3d) 570, 16 W.C.B. (2d) 571 (Nfld. C.A.){{perNLCA|Goodridge CJ}}<br>
''R v Phelan'', [http://canlii.ca/t/26z6k 1997 CanLII 14611] (NL CA), (1997), 151 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 169, 35 W.C.B. (2d) 175 (Nfld. C.A.){{perNLCA|Green JA}}{{atsL|26z6k|12| and 13}}<br>
''R v Truscott'', [http://canlii.ca/t/22thc 2009 BCSC 364] (CanLII){{perBCSC|Warren J}}{{AtsL|22thc|19| and 20}}<br>
''R v Ghebretatiyos'' (2000), 8 M.V.R. (4th) 132, 48 W.C.B. (2d) 365 (Ont. Sup. Ct. J.){{NOCANLII}}{{at-|19}}<br>
''A.-G. Alta v Kozicky'', (1972), 9 CCC (2d) 146, [http://canlii.ca/t/gcjw9 1972 CanLII 1425] (AB QB){{perABQB|Sinclair J}}{{atp|149}}, [1972] 6 W.W.R. 623{{atp|626}}<br>
''R v Rentoul'' (1977), 37 CCC (2d) 78 (Alta. S.C.T.D.), [http://canlii.ca/t/htz1x 1977 CanLII 1927] (AB QB){{perABQB|MacDonald J}}{{atp|83}}<br>
''R v Showell'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g1brm 1971 CanLII 512] (ON SC), (1971), 4 CCC (2d) 252{{perONSC|Haines J}}{{atp|255}}, [1971] 3 O.R. 460, 15 C.R.N.S. 305{{atp|308}}(“For a demand to be made pursuant to s. 223(1) [now s. 235(1)] it is sufficient merely for the officer to say he is asking for a breath sample pursuant thereto.”)
</ref>

A variety of variations on demand are available.<ref>
e.g. ''R v Bourns'', [1993] OJ No 2687 (Ont. Gen. Div.) {{NOCANLII}}<br>
''R v McKeen'', [http://canlii.ca/t/4tzq 2001 NSCA 14] (CanLII), (2001), 151 CCC (3d) 449 (NSCA){{perNSCA|Flinn JA}} (2:1)<br>
''R v Dotremont'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fl8zb 2011 MBQB 88] (CanLII), (2011), 12 M.V.R. (6th) 239 (Man. Q.B.){{perMBQB|Dewar J}}<br>
</ref>

The key requirement is that the demand not is an invitation or request. It must be unequivocal.
<ref>
''R v Boucher'' (1986), 47 M.V.R. 173 (N.B.Q.B.){{NOCANLII}}{{atp|176}}<br>
{{supra1|Nicholson}} - no special words are needed, only must be clear that there is no choice 
</ref> 

There is no requirement that the word "forthwith" be used, but the meaning must be conveyed by word or conduct.<ref>
''R v Torsney'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1nh8v 2006 CanLII 18732] (ON SC), [2006] OJ 2228 (ONSC){{perONSC|Hawkins J}}</ref>

It is not more restrictive or meaningful to say "sample" instead of "samples".<ref>
''R v Rentoul'' (1977) 37 CCC (2d) 78 (ABQB), [http://canlii.ca/t/htz1x 1977 CanLII 1927] (AB QB){{perABQB|McDonald J}}</ref>

Whether the demand was unequivocal is a question of fact.<ref>
''R v Barwick'', [http://canlii.ca/t/22r3l 2009 QCCA 458] (CanLII), [2009] QJ 1876 (QCCA){{TheCourtQCCA}}<br>
</ref>

The demand should always involve an advisement that the sample will be taken by a qualified practitioner. <ref>
''R v Jackson'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1k90d 2005 ABQB 268] (CanLII){{perABQB|Marceau J}}{{atL|1k90d|47}}</ref>
However, it is not necessary to inform the accused of all requirements regarding qualified medical practitioners.<ref>
''R v Barrett'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fq997 2012 NLCA 12] (CanLII), [2012] NJ 61 (CA){{perNLCA|Welsh JA}}</ref>

A Breathalyzer demand can be made at any location and need not be at the location of the approved machine.<ref>
''R v Kitchemonia'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g7cbm 1973 CanLII 888] (SK CA), [1973] 5 W.W.R. 669 (SKCA){{perSKCA|Culliton CJ}}</ref>

The officer should take steps to ensure that the accused understands the questions of the demand and is able to respond in a meaningful way.<ref>
''R v Squires'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1ctn1 2002 CanLII 44982] (ONCA){{perONCA|MacPherson JA}}{{atL|1ctn1|32}}</ref>

The validity or invalidity of a second demand made by the Qualified Technician does not affect the validity or invalidity of the initial demand of the investigating officer and vice versa.<ref>
''R v Townsend'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1rb0h 2007 ONCA 332] (CanLII), [2007] OJ 1686 (CA){{TheCourtONCA}}</ref>

It is generally sufficient evidence for the officer to give testimony that a "breath demand" was made without giving a full verbatim reading of what was said.<ref>
''R v Stewart'', [http://canlii.ca/t/22199 2009 CanLII 11] (ON SC), [2009] OJ 11{{perONSC|Ross J}} <br>
''R v Benson'', [2008] OJ 3056 (ONSC){{NOCANLII}}<br>
''R v Tash'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1vh06 2008 CanLII 1541] (ON SC), [2008] OJ 200{{perONSC|Hill J}}<br>
''R v Antoniak'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1v470 2007 CanLII 53233] (ON SC), [2007] OJ 4816{{perONSC|Garton J}}<br>
</ref>
{{Reflist|2}}

==Timing of demand ("as soon as practicable")==
{{seealso|Proof of Blood Alcohol Levels#As Soon as Practicable}}
A breath demand amounts to a warrantless search and so is prima facie unreasonable, thus the burden is on the Crown to establish the validity.<ref>
''R v Breland'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fm49w 2011 SKPC 54] (CanLII){{perSKPC|Gray J}} at 22</ref>

Under s. 254(3), "as soon as practicable" means "within a reasonably prompt time" given the circumstances.<ref>
''R v Squires'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1ctn1 2002 CanLII 44982] (ON CA), (2002), 59 O.R. (3d) 765 (C.A.){{perONCA|MacPherson JA}}<br>
''R v Phillips'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1p784 1988 CanLII 198] (ON CA), (1988), 42 CCC (3d) 150 (Ont. C.A.){{perONCA|Blair JA}} at 156
</ref>

The inquiry is upon "whether the police acted reasonably".<ref>
''R v Vanderbruggen'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1mwnz 2006 CanLII 9039] (ON CA), (2006), 206 CCC  (3d) 489 (Ont. C.A.){{perONCA|Rosenberg JA}}{{atsL|1mwnz|12| and 13}} (the “touchstone for determining whether the tests were taken as soon as practicable is whether the police acted reasonably”)
</ref>
There is no need for the police to explain every minute that that the accused is in custody.<ref>
See ''R v Letford'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fbjl 2000 CanLII 17024] (ON CA), (2000), 150 CCC (3d) 225 (Ont. C.A.){{perONCA|Goudge JA}}{{atL|1fbjl|20}}<br> 
''R v Seed'', [http://canlii.ca/t/6gfk 1998 CanLII 5146] (ON CA), [1998] OJ No 4362 (C.A.){{TheCourtONCA}}{{atL|6gfk|7}}<br>
''R v Cambrin'', [http://canlii.ca/t/23lzx 1982 CanLII 353] (BC CA), (1982), 1 CCC (3d) 59 (BCCA){{perBCCA|Craig JA}} at 61-3<br> 
''R v Carter'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g7jzl 1981 CanLII 2063] (SK CA), (1981), 59 CCC (2d) 450 (Sask. C.A.){{perSKCA|Culliton CJ}}<br>
</ref>
Instead, the judge should use common sense and experience for determining practicality.<ref>
{{ibid1|Carter}}
</ref>

When delays exist due to the offs are performing other duties, the question for the judge is not simply weather there exists "some explanation" but rather weather "the steps taken by the office or in performing general duties before the demand was made were necessary and reasonable in the circumstances".<ref>
''R v Memisevic'', [http://canlii.ca/t/2dk4j 2010 BCSC 203] (CanLII){{perBCSC|Dillon J}}
</ref>

Where the investigating officer failed to make a valid demand, the qualified technician can still make a valid breath demand. The qualified technician must have the same requisite grounds and must make the demand "as soon as practicable" upon getting the grounds.<ref>
''R v Chilton'', [2009] OJ 3655 (SC) {{NOCANLII}}<br>
''R v Gill'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1tcvl 2007 CanLII 44826] (ON SC), [2007] OJ 4098{{perONSC|Langdon J}}{{atsL|1tcvl|37| to 40}}<br>
''R v Dhaliwal'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1k1t8 2005 CanLII 8716] (ON SC), [2005] OJ 1129{{perONSC|Durno J}}{{atsL|1k1t8|23| to 26}}<br>
</ref>

Waiting for a tow truck may result in too much delay.<ref>
e.g. ''R v Dion'', [http://canlii.ca/t/2b7fk 2010 SKPC 76] (CanLII){{perSKPC|Meekma J}}, 32 min wait for tow truck too long<br>
</ref>
It is incumbent upon the officer to keep up to date on the availability of a tow truck and consider options such as calling for assistance in the case of a delay in its arrival.<ref>
''R v McGonigal'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fm5wh 2011 ABPC 183] (CanLII){{perABPC|Barley J}} - judge suggests that officer failed to keep track of delays in tow truck. violation found for 45 min delay.<br>
''R v Johnson'', [http://canlii.ca/t/20884 2008 ABPC 225] (CanLII){{perABPC|Daniel J}} - 27 min delay was acceptable. Officer believed assistance not available that evening<br>
''R v Budgell'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1rp55 2007 ABPC 138] (CanLII), (2007), 424 A.R. 313{{perABPC|Fradsham J}}, 25 min wait for truck unreasonable where officer did not checking if other officers could help<br>
</ref>

; Right to Counsel
It is necessary that before the demand is made that the accused is given the right to counsel. This is particularly necessary where a refusal of the demand would be an incriminating statement.<ref>
''R v Hendsbee'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1mpgd 1995 CanLII 4164] (NS SC){{perNSSC|Tidman J}}<br>
see also [[Right to Counsel]]
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==See Also==
* [[Impaired Driving, Over 80 and Refusal (Offence)|Refusal]]