Members and friends of MADD's Prince Albert chapter, Parkland Ambulance, Prince Albert Fire, and Mayor Bill Powalinsky gather for a photo to officially launch the 38th Project Red Ribbon campaign in the city. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

By Logan Lehmann

Holiday Safety

MADD urges safe holiday driving with 38th Project Red Ribbon campaign

Nov 16, 2025 | 8:48 AM

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada is reminding people that if they’re planning on celebrating this holiday season, they should do so safely.

MADD’s Prince Albert chapter, along with supporters and friends, gathered at the Beau Lac Funeral home on Saturday morning to mark the launch of the 38th Project Red Ribbon campaign, an annual effort to promote sober driving during the holidays and New Year.

Karen Anthony-Burns is the director for MADD Prince Albert and is a mother of a son who was killed by a drunk driver in 2010, and she said she doesn’t get why people still get behind the wheel while under the influence.

“It’s just such a shame to think that anybody else is going through this,” she said with tears in her eyes. “We are all so much smarter, there’s so much more awareness, there’s so many options, and I don’t understand why people aren’t getting the message.”

“We always think when we go to put out another [Impaired Driver Caught Here] sign where an impaired driver was caught, we think, ‘Well, maybe one day we won’t be putting out any signs,’ and that’s our hope, to work ourselves out of it.”

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MADD Canada launched the nationwide Project Red Ribbon campaign on Nov. 1, and it will run until Jan. 5. During that time, MADD chapters will distribute thousands of red ribbons and car decals for Canadians to display on their vehicles, key chains, purses, briefcases, and backpacks, a symbol of the wearer’s commitment to never drive impaired.

Anthony-Burns added that the timing couldn’t have been better to begin the campaign in Prince Albert as the Saskatchewan Roughriders are playing for the Grey Cup on Sunday.

“It’s great to celebrate and it’s great to take in the Grey Cup, but we need to make those smart choices around that. You can celebrate and have a good time, whether that includes no alcohol or finding a ride. I hope everyone who’s looking forward to it does make a plan.”

MADD’s Project Red Ribbon boxes will be placed at all Lake Country Co-op locations and at Beau Lac Funeral Home for those wanting to get a red ribbon. Each year, the box showcases someone who lost their life to an impaired driver; this year’s box honours 22-year-old Rebecca Beatty. She was on her way home from a friend’s house in Trenton, Ont., when an impaired driver slammed head-on into her vehicle. She was killed instantly.

Project Red Ribbon like this one will be places at business throughout Prince Albert. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW)

Any businesses wanting to participate and have a Project Red Ribbon box can contact maddprincealbert@gmail.com for more information.

According to MADD Canada, an average of nine federal criminal charges and provincial short-term license suspensions are laid for alcohol or drug-impaired driving in Canada every hour.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com