Operation Red Nose available in 10 Manitoba communities
Operation Red Nose (ORN) returns next week for another holiday season, once again making sure Manitobans get home safely following their festivities.
The non-profit designated driver service launched its new campaign Friday morning, "2023 marks the 40th year that Operation Red Nose has been in operation nationally," said Ron Janzen, president and CEO of Safety Services Manitoba.
It's ORN's 27th year running in Manitoba as it gets ready to serve ten communities throughout the province. In addition to Winnipeg, Operation Red Nose is available in Brandon, Flin Flon, Gimli, Portage la Prairie, La Broquerie/Steinbach, Saint-Malo, Shilo, The Pas and Thompson.
Beginning Nov. 24 through New Year's Eve, anyone in need of a safe ride home can call 204-947-NOSE (6673) between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. A volunteer drive team consisting of three people will be dispatched to the pick-up location. Two of the drive team members will bring the client home in their vehicle while the third person follows in an escort vehicle.
There is no charge for the service, but donations are gladly accepted. All money raised supports various community-based youth programs like the Manta Swim Club.
The service says on average more than 4,000 Manitobans use Operation Red Nose annually, making roads safer for everyone.
"Tragically in Manitoba, 25 people on average are killed each year in collisions involving impaired drivers, and a further 86 are injured, many of those seriously," said Manitoba Minister of Justice Matt Wiebe at the launch.
"The consequences of these deaths and injuries to families and communities is devastating. And they are entirely preventable," he added.
"Operation Red Nose isn’t just a service. It’s a commitment to safety ensuring every celebration ends as joyfully as it began," said acting deputy mayor Markus Chambers at the launch.
Details for service in different communities can be found on the Operation Red Nose mobile app. More information about the program can be found at rednosewpg.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.