Bill mandating dashcam footage in B.C. commercial vehicles stalls in the Legislature

KAMLOOPS — A private members bill authored by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer has hit a roadblock at the committee stage. Bill M-217 seeks to mandate dashboard cameras into commercial vehicles in an effort to improve road safety.

“I believe this is a bipartisan bill. This is an opportunity for us in the house to come together to make meaningful legislation,” Stamer told the legislature Monday (May 4) morning. 

That hope for swift passage into third reading was quickly dashed for Stamer, as the NDP questioned the clarity of the bill.

“The Ministry of Transportation and Transit believes the bill should be amended so it can address certain questions such as who can access the footage, how long it will be retained and other enforcement mechanisms,” responded Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George A.G. Anderson. 

“Madame Speaker, I was under the belief this had already gone through and discussed through committee on all these concerns that were brought forth,” added Stamer. 

The vote was passed for the moment. But with division called, the NDP could use their majority to push the bill back to committee, something Stamer believes can be avoided through conversation.

“There are lots of moving parts here, but fingers crossed,” Stamer told CFJC News. “I think for the couple that stood up and had opposition to this, those questions were already answered at committee. And it’s a little bit embarrassing them even asking those questions because their members in the committee asked those same questions and they were answered. That is why at committee, it was passed unanimously.”

The vote to advance the bill to third reading will be held tonight at 6:00 p.m.

“Those concerns they have, have already been addressed, already been identified, have already been put in the amendments to the bill,” said Stamer. “I’m not entirely sure why this is but I’m just going to have to do my best behind the scenes to make sure we do get enough members on supporting this bill at 6:00 p.m. tonight.”