Government legislation that creates new and stronger laws against alcohol- and drug-impaired driving has been approved in the Senate along with several key changes.

Among the changes to be considered by the House of Commons is a requirement for a review within three years that includes an evaluation of whether the new law has led to discriminatory treatment of any particular group.

Bill C-46 proposes to increase maximum penalties and minimum fines for impaired driving offences, especially for repeat offenders.

The bill also creates new criminal offences for driving with specified blood-drug concentrations, and authorizes police to conduct roadside drug-screening tests for suspected impaired drivers.

Senator Gwen Boniface, an independent Senator representing Ontario and former Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, sponsored the legislation in the Senate.