One too many drinks at the holiday party? Never fear: Operation Red Nose is back
Operation Nez rouge -- or Operation Red Nose, as it's known outside Quebec -- is back for the month of December. Originally founded in Quebec, the driving service helps prevent impaired driving during the holidays; and with no COVID-19 restrictions and more social gatherings, it's expecting a busy season.
"People are starting to go out again, go out to restaurants, bars and everything, and they're in much need of having Operation Red Nose to get home safely," founder Jean-Marie De Koninck told CTV News. "I believe that we will have many calls this year."
De Koninck created Nez rouge in 1984 after learning that more than half of all fatal crashes were caused by impaired drivers.
He laments that even after decades of awareness campaigns, intoxicated people still get behind the wheel.
The good news is, things are improving. De Koninck points out that, in the 80s, around 500 people a year died as a result of drunk driving -- a number which has now fallen to around 100.
But the rate is still too high, he says.
"It is kind of surprising that we still have to offer such a service because there's so many people that take a chance."
Nez rouge is looking for volunteers to help out this holiday season.
Volunteer Yannick Trudel says it's an "amazing" way to give back.
"[The passengers] are partying, they're having fun. So most of the time you're going to hear a bunch of stories, and you're going to have a blast," he said.
To use the service, call your local Nez rouge team. Then, a group of three volunteers will meet you at your location and drive you home in your own vehicle.
Find the right phone number and learn more about the service on the Nez rouge website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people.
Attracting, retaining pilots an ongoing issue in Canada: industry analysts
Retirements, high training costs and poor pay are fuelling a pilot shortage in Canada, industry analysts say, at a time when travel has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian dollar's outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts
Experts say the outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession.
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
China accuses U.S. of indiscriminate use of force over balloon
China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it 'seriously impacted and damaged both sides' efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.'
BoC's first summary of deliberations coming this week. Here's what to expect
The Bank of Canada is set to publish its first summary of deliberations Wednesday, giving Canadians a peak into the governing council's reasoning behind its decision to raise interest rates last month.
Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history; Harry Styles wins album of the year
Beyonce sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony's most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday's show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honour.
Charles Kimbrough, best known for role in 'Murphy Brown,' dies at 86
Charles Kimbrough, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor who played a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on 'Murphy Brown,' died Jan. 11 in Culver City, California. He was 86.
Advocates come together to help sailors stuck for months on tugboats in Quebec port
Groups that advocate for seafarers are expressing concern for 11 sailors who are spending a harsh Quebec winter aboard three tugboats that have been detained for months in the port of Trois-Rivières.
Toronto
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Masking alone wouldn't have eased respiratory virus surge in the fall: PHO document
Introducing a mask mandate when respiratory viruses surged in the fall may not have eased the crush on pediatric hospitals, a Public Health Ontario science brief obtained by The Canadian Press concludes.
-
Three people rescued after falling through ice near Toronto Islands
Three people are now in the care of paramedics after a skating mishap on Lake Ontario Monday morning.
Atlantic
-
Several Maritime schools closed after frigid weekend, hundreds without power in N.S.
Hundreds of Nova Scotians are without power Monday morning following frigid temperatures and high winds over the weekend.
-
Storm Watch: School closures and cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
-
Cape Breton University, striking faculty reach tentative agreement
Striking faculty members at Cape Breton University have reached a tentative agreement with the university.
London
-
London police seize drugs, ammunition from scene of fire
A 29-year-old is facing charges after police found drugs and ammunition at the scene of a Trafalgar Street residential fire.
-
Lucan farmer plans to build shed after $100,000 lottery win
A farmer from Lucan, Ont., says he plans on building a shed after winning $100,000 with a lottery ticket.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury, Ont., woman steals hearts announcing Grammy winner
A 78-year-old woman from Sudbury, Ont., -- a Harry Styles superfan -- has become internet famous after announcing the 2023 Grammy Award for Album of the Year on Sunday night.
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Two arrested in Kapuskasing police investigation, schools closed
Schools in the northern Ontario town of Kapuskasing are closed Monday after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a threat resulting in two arrests.
Calgary
-
'Absolute nightmare': Calgarians call attention to the children unable to leave Ukraine
A group of Calgarians gathered along Memorial Drive Sunday to draw attention to what they call "disgusting" treatment of Ukrainian children.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Another warm spell hits Calgary
If you're driving through Balzac today, give Billy the nod.
Kitchener
-
Woolwich man arrested for alleged death threats to local MP
Waterloo regional police have arrested a Woolwich man after death threats were allegedly made to a local Member of Parliament online.
-
Jacob Hespeler Secondary School closed for Monday due to flooding
The first day of the second semester will be pushed back for students at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge.
-
Most read stories of the week: Conestoga Mall robbery, house explosion hearing, cancelled Valentine's Day
An armed robbery at Conestoga Mall, a hearing on a 2018 Kitchener house explosion, and a school cancelling Valentine's Day round out the most ready stories of the week.
Vancouver
-
‘It's my only wish’: Grieving Surrey mother still waiting for justice in daughter's slaying
Two years after a young woman in Surrey was gunned down, her family says they still waiting for justice.
-
B.C.'s economy, health care and housing to be the focus of throne speech: Eby
British Columbia's economy will be a key focus for politicians as they return to the legislature for the spring sitting.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people.
Edmonton
-
Family of man slain in northeast Edmonton searching for answers
An Edmonton family is in mourning after the sudden death of their son and brother in the city's northeast.
-
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
-
Masking alone wouldn't have eased respiratory virus surge in the fall: PHO document
Introducing a mask mandate when respiratory viruses surged in the fall may not have eased the crush on pediatric hospitals, a Public Health Ontario science brief obtained by The Canadian Press concludes.
Windsor
-
Five-vehicle crash impacts E.C. Row traffic
There were no injuries reported after a five-vehicle crash in Tecumseh Monday morning.
-
Chatham-Kent police seize firearms, man charged with uttering threats
Chatham-Kent police seized several firearms from a home when arresting a man for uttering threats.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people.
Regina
-
'Need some flexibility': Sask. premier in Ottawa for health meetings
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe flew to Ottawa on Sunday ahead of the first ministers meeting regarding healthcare funding scheduled for this week.
-
Lanier II signed for 1 year contract extension: Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II for another year.
-
Regina's Kelly Knapp wins SaskTel Tankard
Regina’s Kelly Knapp defeated Swift Current’s Steve Laycock 5-4 in the final of the SaskTel Tankard in Estevan, Sask. on Sunday and will represent Saskatchewan at the Tim Hortons Brier in London, Ont. from March 3 to 12.
Ottawa
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 2,300 people.
-
Eastern Ontario town council to debate mandatory oath to King Charles
The debate on elected officials pledging allegiance to King Charles III will shift to a small town south of Ottawa this week, as Prescott town council discusses a motion on whether to abolish the requirement for newly elected members.
-
Here's how you can have your say on the 2023 city of Ottawa budget
Councillors will be hosting draft budget consultation sessions between Feb. 6 and 20, while each city committee will hear from the public before approving the budgets.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon city greenhouses on the verge of being condemned: report
Saskatoon will no longer supply its own flowers for its summer flowerpots and garden beds, according to a report before city councillors this week.
-
Sask. man dead following snowmobile collision
A person is dead following a snowmobile collision near Candle Lake early Sunday morning.
-
'A big part of my childhood': Regina student brings Lego to life through stop-motion animation
Jayson Reddekopp has been a Lego collector since he was a kid. Now in his second year of university, he’s bringing his passion to life using just his Lego pieces and an iPhone.