By Michael Joel-Hansen

Local leaders want to make residents aware of options on New Year’s Eve

Dec 13, 2018 | 2:13 PM

A number of representatives were on hand at Prince Albert City Hall Thursday afternoon to remind people about an important service available to them this holiday season.

Wing in the New Year will be providing people in a number of Saskatchewan cities, including P.A., free public transit to make sure they have a safe ride home New Year’s Eve.

Speaking at city hall in Prince Albert Thursday morning, local MLA and Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave urged people to plan ahead as they celebrate the holidays. The minister explained the reason for the name change was to go along with the SGI advertising campaign that encourages people to help others make the right decisions when it comes to not driving while impaired.

“You may have noticed the slight name change, from Ding in the New Year, that it’s always been, to Wing in the New Year,” Hargrave said. “This New Year’s Eve, one great option is to let a bus driver be that good wingman and get you home safe.”

The local MLA added that 2019 will present some different challenges, as it will be the first year where recreational cannabis is legal. Hargrave stressed the provincial government has a policy when it comes to the issue of impaired driving.

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“Our message continues to be, impaired is impaired, and if you’re impaired, don’t drive, find a safe ride home,” he said.

During his time speaking Hargrave took time to thank the province’s police services and the RCMP for their increased enforcement efforts, which he credits with bringing down the number of fatalities related to impaired driving in the province. He said the province still has room to improve.

“Thirty nine is still far too many deaths because of impaired driving and our goal is zero,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Trina Cockle said given the season, impaired driving needs to be on everybody’s minds.

“Whether you are attending or holding a holiday event where alcohol will be served, you need to make sure you have plans to get home safely,” she said.

Cockle commended the provincial government and SGI for the steps they have taken to address the issue. She added that the impaired driving touches many people besides those hurt or killed in accidents and leaves permanent scarring for those who have to deal with the immediate after effects.

“Impaired driving devastates an entire community,” she said.

.@PAPOLICEca Chief Jon Bergen speaks about impaired driving at City Hall on Thursday morning @cityof_pa pic.twitter.com/GNza5sUxmP

— Michael Joel-Hansen (@mjhskcdn) December 13, 2018

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn