By Michael Joel-Hansen

Impaired Driving

MADD monument to honour those killed by impaired drivers

Feb 14, 2019 | 1:19 PM

Saskatchewan will soon have a monument honouring victims of impaired driving.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is in the process of collecting the names of those killed by impaired drivers. Once collected, the names will be displayed on the monument in front of Saskatoon’s city hall.

Michelle Okere, MADD Canada’s regional manager responsible for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, explained the project involved cooperation between the national organization and local chapters around the province.

This includes the Prince Albert chapter, the members of which Okere said worked to get the word out about the memorial and collect names.

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“Certainly there will be those from Prince Albert included on the monument,” she said.

“This will actually be the first one in Canada that’s in a public place,” Okere said.

The process of getting the monument built has been a year long process. According to Okere when the group originally pitched the idea of putting the monument in a public place, there was some push back.

Saskatoon city officials originally suggested a cemetery would be better home for such a monument but eventually changed their minds after families of those killed by impaired drivers presented their case.

“Having it in a public place was something that was very, very important to them,” Okere said.

Okere added the location is one they are excited about as it is in a high traffic area. She said while it serves as a memorium, it will also educate others.

“It will be an education tool to the public about the risks of impaired driving,” she said.

People looking to have their loved included on the memorial will have until May 5 to submit the name. The monument is set to be officially unveiled on May 25 in Saskatoon.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn