It’s been over three years since Eileen Boulianne and her family’s lives were turned upside down, but the pain of losing her oldest granddaughter remains constant.
On Oct. 25, 2012, a van crashed into a Grade 6 Racette Jr. High classroom in St. Paul. The vehicle pinned three girls underneath, including Boulianne’s granddaughter Megan Wolitski, who would pass away from her injuries the following day. Another classmate now suffers from a lifelong debilitating injury, while the third classmate suffers from trauma, along with other children in the class.
In an effort to protect other Albertans and prevent similar incidents from occurring, Boulianne is pushing the provincial government to make changes to its laws and to require medical practitioners to flag authorities when a patient is suffering from a medical condition, or taking medication that could make driving a vehicle dangerous.
“I don’t want others to go through the same pain and frustrations that our family has gone through since this tragedy,” says Boulianne. “It was brought to our attention shortly after the accident that the law needed to be reviewed.”
Not long after being elected, St. Paul-Lac La Biche-Two Hills MLA Dave Hanson said Boulianne contacted him to talk about getting the legislation changed. He is now hoping that he will be able to see the changes take place without having to wait for a draw that would allow him to introduce a private members’ bill.
Last week, Hanson used his opportunity to make a member’s statement, speaking about the changes he and Boulianne are hoping to see happen in Alberta. The statement was the first step in having his voice heard. Hanson also plans to speak to the Alberta Justice minister about the proposed change.
During his statement last week, Hanson explained that when the driver of the van, who suffered from a medical condition, was sentenced by a judge in relation to the incident, it was made clear that the punishment was not being handed out because of the man’s medical condition, but rather because he was driving a vehicle when he shouldn’t have been.
A lifelong driving ban was imposed, along with two years in jail.
“This punishment won’t protect other Albertans from those who drive despite having medical conditions that make it unsafe,” said Hanson during his statement. Hanson is helping Boulianne bring awareness to the issue, and joining in her efforts to push for changes that would see legislation similar to Alberta’s two neighbouring provinces.
Along with requiring medical practitioners to flag patients with medical conditions that impair their driving ability, the changes would also require medical practitioners to tell authorities if they suspect a patient is driving when they have been told not to.
“It’s a pretty easy fix, I think,” said Hanson, adding, the current legislation in Alberta is pretty vague, and he would prefer to see that gap filled in with legislation similar to B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act, or Saskatchewan’s Traffic Safety Act.
Hanson’s statement was posted on social media, through a YouTube video shortly after it was made. Since then, Hanson says he has received quite a bit of feedback on the issue. He adds that it was a difficult statement to make, while maintaining his composure.
“My heart goes out to the family of Megan Wolitski and all of her classmates who will never be able to forget that day that changed their lives forever,” said Hanson.
Boulianne is thankful to the MLA for making the issue a priority.
“We are grateful for (Hanson’s) time and support and we hope that these laws will eventually be changed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those families who were affected by this tragedy,” she says.
