MADD Canada showcased its 2026-2027 School Program in Newfoundland and Labrador in partnership with Provincial Sponsor @nlliquor Newfoundland Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). Thank you to Bruce Keating, NLC President & CEO for being part of the event! Road crashes are a leading cause of death among Canadian youth, with alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs involved in more than half of these crashes. Education and awareness can help young people recognize the risks and make informed decisions. MADD Canada’s one-hour School Program presentations for students in Grades 7 through 12 deliver strong messages about the impacts of impaired driving and encourage youth to make safe decisions. This year’s presentations include a new film, Trapped, which follows Gabe, a young man whose reckless decision leaves him trapped — both in a vehicle and in the consequences of his actions. Schools can choose the format that best meets their needs: traditional assembly, classroom, or virtual presentations. A new interactive quiz gives students an opportunity to test their knowledge and learn more about impaired driving. Following the presentation, each school receives a School Kit which includes an Educators’ Guide along with additional resources to help teachers continue the conversation about sober driving throughout the school year. For more information on MADD Canada’s School Program, check out: maddyouth.ca/school-program/.

Tribute Tuesday Colton: December 1, 1990 - July 27, 2024 Teddy: January 7, 2019 - July 6, 2024 Colton and I met in Red Deer and spent 9 years growing up together. Colton supported us through sand hauling; a class 1 driver for over 16 years. Life was tricky no matter where we lived in Alberta, so when I gave birth to his second son, we moved to Grande Prairie to have a life together. My lot in life was to be surrounded by strong, funny, handsome men. Colton was strong, moving mountains with a level of endurance that is rare to find. He was smart, skilled, calculating while still being approachable and charismatic. He was the first to say what everyone else was thinking. Confidently and unapologetically who he was. He challenged and encouraged me in ways no one else has. Teddy was a force from the moment he was born. He broke me the way I needed to be broke. He made me laugh every single day. He was wild, fast and clumsy. He would hurl himself into life with that lack of self-preservation that throws parent’s hearts along with it. We loved to sing, paint and build. He was an adventure buddy with a huge smile and an incredible imagination. He loved flowers, dragons, ghosts and unicorns. He was earnestly searching for a unicorn and concerned if the moon loves him. He was pure magic. My boys are my reason, my pride and my legacy. July 6th, 2024 changed everything. Colton, a career driver, loving and proud father, was driving Teddy home from the dinosaur museum. My whole life was in that truck. It was a warm July afternoon when they slowed to a stop, waiting to turn left. They were struck from behind with great force and hurled into an SUV and semi-truck. Our son was torn apart in front of his father, who suffered long enough to witness this and his own entire body fail but then perished 3 weeks later. They weren’t doing anything wrong; they were just in his way. This destroyed my entire family. Our future and my legacy reduced to a story. I can only be authentic and hope our senseless, preventable tragedy doesn’t happen to anyone else’s babies. My ol’ man is forever 33, our son forever 5 and this world was better with them in it.

Heading to Thanksgiving dinner this long weekend? Make a plan to get home safely. 🍂 Consuming alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs? Plan ahead for a sober ride home with a designated driver, public transit, a cab or rideshare, or plan to stay over. In 2022, roughly 1 in 4 crash deaths involved a drinking driver. See a driver you suspect is impaired? Call 911. If you are driving, pull over safely first. Share this with everyone at your table. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at MADD Canada.

Throughout his career, Constable Coulter has developed expertise in alcohol- and drug-impaired driving investigations. He is a qualified Breath Technician, Drug Recognition Evaluator and Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor. Since 2004, he has collected more than 300 evidentiary breath samples, and since becoming a Drug Recognition Evaluator in 2008, he has conducted or witnessed approximately 150 drug evaluations. His impact extends well beyond his own investigations. He served as an instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Drug Recognition Evaluation, delivering courses across Ontario and helping officers develop practical skills for identifying and investigating impaired drivers. As a coach officer, he emphasized the importance of impaired driving enforcement and proactive RIDE programs from the earliest stages of officers’ careers, inspiring others to pursue specialized roles in impaired driving enforcement. Beyond enforcement, Constable Coulter has shared his expertise at provincial and national conferences and has supported schools and community groups through public education and outreach in both English and French and with Indigenous Peoples. For more than 27 years, Constable Coulter has strengthened impaired driving enforcement through expertise, instruction, mentorship, technical leadership and community service. His dedication has helped equip generations of officers with the knowledge and skills to keep impaired drivers off our roads and make communities safer. For his exceptional and sustained contribution to impaired driving prevention and enforcement, Constable Aaron Coulter is a deserving recipient of the Terry Ryan Memorial for Excellence in Police Services. Congratulations!

Thank you to Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) for marking the start of the Manitoba tour of the 2026–2027 MADD Canada School Program, with a special screening for students at West Kildonan Collegiate in Winnipeg! We appreciate having Maria Campos, MPI Vice President & Chief Customer and Product Officer; Mady Robak, daughter of Martin Robak; Trisha Dosaj, MADD Canada National President Dawn Regan, MADD Canada Chief Operating Office and MADD Winnipeg Volunteers in attendance today. This year’s presentations include a new film, Trapped, which follows Gabe, a young man whose reckless decision leaves him trapped — both in a vehicle and in the consequences of his actions. The School Program presentations also include real victim stories, including that of Manitoba victim Martin Robak, who was killed in an impaired driving crash in 2018. Road crashes are a leading cause of death among Canadian youth, with alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs involved in more than half of these crashes. Education and awareness can help young people recognize the risks and make informed choices. MADD Canada’s one-hour School Program presentations for students in Grades 7 through 12 deliver strong messages about the impacts of impaired driving and encourage youth to make safe choices. Learn more about the School Program here: maddyouth.ca/

Thank you to our Provincial School Program Sponsor @NLliquor. With your support, we’re reaching students across Newfoundland and Labrador with this powerful and dynamic anti-impaired driving message. #ThankYouThursday

Thank you to our Provincial School Program Sponsor @NLliquor. With your support, we’re reaching students across Newfoundland and Labrador with this powerful and dynamic anti-impaired driving message. #ThankYouThursday

Like a lot of people at MADD Canada, Susan’s involvement’s story with the organization began with a devastating loss. In 1993, her father, Donald King, and her stepmother, Dorothy, were struck by an impaired driver in Glenholme, Nova Scotia. Donald died from his injuries a few days later. Susan and her brother, Paul, who also celebrates 30-year of service with MADD Canada, later founded the MADD Annapolis Valley Chapter. From there, Susan’s commitment to MADD Canada grew and Susan went on to serve as National President, from 1997-1999, becoming a strong voice for victims and survivors and an advocate for impaired driving prevention. After her term as National President, Susan remained deeply involved with MADD Canada. In 2000, she began her role as Regional Manager for Atlantic Canada, a position she held for 20 years. Over the course of her 30 years with MADD Canada, Susan supported Chapters and volunteers across the Atlantic provinces and helped turn ideas into initiatives that made a lasting difference. She developed a model template for mock crashes, helped bring 60 boating signs to Atlantic Canada, and played a key role in establishing the Team O’Dell province-wide police awards. She also worked with the RCMP in Newfoundland to establish a province-wide impaired driving enforcement team. Susan provided leadership to public policy committees in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, helping advance key provincial legislative initiatives. She also played an important role in provincial monument ceremonies, victim services initiatives and events such as the 2019 Atlantic Conference and Nova Scotia’s provincial Strides walk, bringing Chapters, volunteers and communities together across the region. In 2022, nearly 29 years after her father’s death, Susan and her family gathered on Highway 4 to unveil Nova Scotia’s first MADD Canada Roadside Memorial Sign, dedicated to her father, Donald. It was a powerful moment, honouring her father’s memory while continuing to remind others that impaired driving has devastating consequences. Susan, your journey with MADD Canada began with loss, but you turned that experience into a lifetime of service.

For 30 years, Theresa-Anne Kramer has been a dedicated volunteer with MADD Montréal and one of MADD Canada’s longest-serving volunteers. Theresa-Anne’s journey with MADD began with a tragedy that deeply affected her. She read about the deaths of three young men, including Marc-André Lachance, who was killed by an impaired driver while returning home from a party. Looking at her own children, Theresa-Anne thought about the families whose lives had been shattered and wanted to help prevent other families from experiencing that same pain. At the time, there was no Chapter in Quebec. Theresa-Anne reached out to MADD Canada and helped build MADD Montréal, which helped grow the organization’s presence in Quebec. Over the past three decades, she has participated in countless events and public awareness initiatives including, sobriety checkpoints. She is currently a bilingual spokesperson, sharing MADD Canada’s message with Canadians in both English and French. Theresa-Anne has supported victims and survivors by accompanying them to court, helping families prepare victim impact statements and staying connected with them over the years. She served as a MADD Canada Board Member for six years and contributed to advocacy efforts to strengthen impaired driving laws and the rights of victims. She was among volunteers who were on Parliament Hill in May to meet with lawmakers to raise awareness about impaired driving and advocate for anti-impaired driving technology. In Quebec, she is a tireless advocate for the adoption of administrative sanctions for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration between .05% and .08%, the only province or territory without this critical tool to help prevent impaired driving. For 30 years, Theresa-Anne has been a constant voice for victims and survivors and a passionate advocate for safer communities. Through her compassion, determination and willingness to step forward, she has helped strengthen MADD Canada in Quebec and made a lasting difference in the lives of many people affected by impaired driving. Theresa-Anne, MADD Canada is deeply grateful for everything you have given to the organization and to its mission to stop impaired driving and support victims and survivors of this violent crime. Congratulations on 30 years with MADD Canada Theresa-Anne!

What a great way to get your steps in!

In 2007, when she was 11 years old, Emily Stewart and her Dad, Doug, were hit by a drug-impaired driver. Doug was killed in the crash, and Emily sustained many physical injuries including a catastrophic brain injury. While grieving the loss of her Dad, Emily had to deal with life altering injuries. Emily attended several National Conference for Victims Survivors of Impaired Driving as a youth delegate and she eventually she began to share her personal story. Emily, and her Mom, Nancy, took part in MADD Canada's School Program in 2019. Despite how difficult it was, they shared their story with thousands of students across Canada. Emily has participated in campaigns to raise awareness around drugged driving including a video for Weed Out The Risk and she has spoken to law enforcement about the importance of enforcement. In 2025, Emily began co-facilitating the Young Adult Group at the National Conference. In 2026, she was part of the Victim and Survivor panel and shared her experience with delegates. Emily helps facilitate the online support group for young adults and she attended the 2026 MADD Canada Advocacy Day on Parliament Hill. Emily’s physical and emotional journey was a difficult one. She began her journey wit MADD Canada as a young delegate and now she is seen as a leader and support for other young people. Emily is truly an inspiration to so many of us and she deserves to be recognized as Victim Service Volunteer of the Year.

On our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we are reminded of Canada's history with Indigenous People. Today, we acknowledge and reflect on the trauma felt by so many because of the residential school system and how the past continues to impact First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities while we look for ways that we can move forward.

On Saturday in Warman, Saskatchewan, we gathered to remember and honour Sophie Schnurr as her memorial road sign was unveiled. While a sign can never capture the life of a person or ease the loss of those who love them, we hope it will serve as a lasting reminder of Sophie and the place she holds in the hearts of her family, friends, and community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Honourable Terry Jenson, Minister of Social Services and MLA for Warman; Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk; and Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin for joining us and sharing their words in Sophie’s honour. A very special thank you to Dawn and Sam Schnurr, Sophie’s parents, for having the courage to share their memories. And thank you to all of Sophie’s family and friends who came together to stand beside them, remember Sophie, and honour the life she lived. 🤍

We are excited to welcome Law Enforcement Officers, Road Safety Advocates, Researchers and Government Policy Makers to our Impaired Driving Policy Symposium 🚘🚖🚔

Today, we unveiled the new Prince Edward Island Provincial Memorial Monument honouring victims killed in alcohol- and drug-related crashes. The new monument is etched with the names of 12 victims who died because someone chose to drive after consuming alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs. Thank you to our special guests: Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlotteton; The Honourable Zack Bell, Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Artificial Intelligence; The Honourable Jill Burridge, Minister of Finance, Responsible for PEILCC and PEICMC; Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Chief Superintendent of L Division RCMP; Tanya Hansen Pratt, MADD Canada National President; Cst. Stephen Duggan, Vice-Chair MADD Canada National Board; Steve Sullivan, MADD Canada Chief Executive Officer and Dawn Regan, MADD Canada Chief Operating Officer. We know it means so much to families to be able to see their loved ones honoured in this way. Since 2009, MADD Canada has established memorial monuments for victims of alcohol-and drug-related crashes in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and now, PEI. Efforts are currently underway to establish a memorial monument in British Columbia.

Spotted in Mississauga, Ontario. Thank you @Rama.GamingHouse, Mississauga Charitable Gaming Association @CgamingCgood! #Campaign911

On September 11, we gathered with family, friends, first responders, and members of the community in Fort Saskatchewan to unveil a memorial roadside sign in honour of Alexandra Ollington, who was killed in a crash involving alcohol September 17, 2020. The memorial serves as a lasting reminder of Alexandra’s life and a place where her memory can continue to be honoured. While no sign can ever capture the life of someone who was deeply loved, we hope this memorial provides a meaningful space for Alexandra’s family and friends to remember her and keep her memory close. A heartfelt thank you to Mayor Lisa Makin and the Fort Saskatchewan City Council, Cpl. Devon Lafreniere and the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, and John Moroz, representing Alexandra’s family, for being part of this meaningful ceremony. We are also incredibly grateful to all of Alexandra’s family and friends who took the time to gather, remember, and honour her. Thank you for allowing MADD Canada to stand alongside Alexandra’s loved ones as we remember her and recognize the lasting impact her life continues to have on those who knew and loved her. 🕯️ Alexandra Ollington — remembered, honoured, and never forgotten.

#ThankYouThursday shout-out to @theNSLC, Provincial Sponsor of the School Program. Thanks for your ongoing support to deliver the sober driving message to thousands of Nova Scotians each year.

On Saturday, September 12, MADD Canada, gathered at the Alberta Memorial Monument in Spruce Grove for our 7th Annual Candlelight Vigil Service and Alberta Memorial Monument Ceremony. This year, we honoured and remembered 4 individuals whose names were added to the monument, joining the names of the 74 individuals who have been remembered in previous years. Family members, friends, first responders, community leaders, elected officials, MADD volunteers and supporters came together to honour the lives lost and recognize the lasting impact their loss has on families and communities. Through the lighting of candles, the reading of tribute names, shared reflections and the unveiling of the monument additions, we came together to ensure these individuals are remembered—not only today, but always. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, participated and helped make this meaningful ceremony possible. Most importantly, we stand alongside the families who continue to carry their loved ones’ memories forward. 🕯️

On Saturday September 12, 2026 we gathered for the 4th annual Candlelight Vigil and Ontario Monument Ceremony. In an emotional ceremony 11 new names were added to the monument. We are grateful to Shannon Thunderbird, Coast Tsimshian First Nations Elder; Rowenta Santos, Brampton Member of Council; Silvia Gualtieri, MPP Mississauga East; Talibah Miller, Representing MPP Williams; Thomas Carrique, Commissioner, OPP; Hubert Hiltz, Staff Superintendent, Peel Regional Police; Brian Gibson, Chief and Director of Peel Regional Paramedic Services; Aman Kainth, Division Chief, Brampton Fire & Emergency Services, Steve Sullivan, MADD Canada CEO, Dawn Regan, MADD Canada COO; Chloe Piche, Regional Manager for Victims Services, Ontario and Quebec for participating and to Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham for the beautiful musical interludes.