Niagara Regional Police have charged Chuck McShane, a former Progressives Conservative candidate and recent appointment to the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, with impaired driving.

McShane, who was appointed to the bridge commission Jan. 31 by the provincial government, was charged with the operation of a vehicle with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

After an arrest for over-80, a driver faces an immediate 90-day licence suspension, a seven-day vehicle impoundment, a $500 penalty and $275 licence reinstatement fee. After a conviction, a driver has his or her licence suspended for one year and is fined a minimum $1,000.

McShane, 54, was arrested on Feb. 20 in Niagara Falls at 10:37 p.m. and released on a promise to appear in court. His first court date is March 13 in St. Catharines.

A message left on his cellphone was not returned.

McShane ran for the Progressive Conservatives in the Niagara Falls riding in last June's provincial election. He earned 21,126 votes to finish second to NDP incumbent Wayne Gates with 30,161 votes.

He ran for regional council in the October municipal elections to represent Niagara-on-the-Lake. He finished fourth of four candidates with 1,236 votes. Gary Zalepa Jr. was elected with 2,392.

The bridge commission is a joint Canada-U. S. board responsible for the Whirlpool Rapids and Lewiston-Queenston bridges with the Canadian appointments made by Queen's Park. Former Niagara Falls regional councillor Bart Maves was also appointed to the position. The appointments are for a three-year term.

- Maves, Jeffs, McShane appointed to provincial commissions