Bill 118 has been in effect since Oct 26, 2009, and the initial warning period has ended as of Feb 1, 2010. Police in Ontario will pull over and issue fines to drivers seen texting or talking on cellular telephones. It is entirely likely that some amateur radio operators, who are legally exempt from Bill 118 until January 1, 2013, will be stopped if they are seen to be operating their mobile radio equipment.

In order to prevent any unnecessary delay, Canadian Amateurs in Ontario should consider carrying a copy of their Certificate of Proficiency plus a copy of the exemptions section of Bill 118. (Here’s the link: Ontario Highway Traffic Act Regulation 366/09 // CLICK Here for PDF file of Regulation.)

While such stops maybe annoying, the ability to produce these documents quickly would likely prove helpful.

If you are stopped by police for operating your two-way radio equipment, Radio Amateurs of Canada would very much like to hear from you. RAC will be keeping a record of any such stops for possible future use in our ongoing talks with government officials.