Yukon MLA Darius Elias fined $1K for refusing breathalyzer

Yukon MLA Darius Elias was fined $1,000 Wednesday and banned from driving for a year for refusing to provide a breathalyzer sample to police.

The Yukon Party MLA for VuntutGwitchinreceived the minimum sentence. He pleadedguilty in June to the offence.

The court heard RCMP pulled Elias over May 15 in Whitehorse for talking on his cell phone while driving. When told it was an offence,Elias said to the officer, "I know, I made that law."

The officer noted a strong smell coming from the vehicle, and asked Elias if he'd been drinking. Elias said he had been drinking the night before.

He was asked to step out of the vehicle and that's when Elias advised the officer he was anMLA.

When Elias was asked for a breath sample, he said "I don't want to blow into that." Asked again, he said "I don't want to and I'm not blowing."

Police then arrested him.

"If I had known alcohol was in my system from the night before I wouldn't have been driving," Elias saidWednesday in court.

At a press conference following the incident,Elias said he has a problem with alcohol and would be seeking help. He isdue to take a program in Septemberthat is mandatory for anyone who has lost their driver's licence for alcohol-related reasons.

Elias has refused to commenton any personal help he may be receiving for his alcohol problem. He refused to answer any questions outside the courtroom Wednesday.