Operation Red Nose will not be offered this year in Saskatchewan. (Submitted photo/Operation Red Nose)

By Martin Martinson

Plan Ahead

Operation Red Nose cancelled for holiday season

Oct 8, 2020 | 2:16 PM

For the first time in over a decade, Operation Red Nose will not be available in the Battlefords over the holidays.

The safe ride service, in which volunteers drive impaired people – and their cars – home, has been cancelled throughout Saskatchewan due to the ongoing pandemic.

The decision, which also affects other provinces across the country, was ultimately made by head office in Quebec.

Chairperson with Operation Red Nose the Battlefords, David Schell, said while it’s unfortunate the service will not be offered this year, some of the additional protocols that would need to be implemented just made it too difficult to go ahead.

“Having to sanitize the client’s vehicle every time we got in, and then sanitizing after every pickup, was just going to be quite onerous for everybody and take much too long with a large number of calls,” he said. “That’s why they finally decided to cancel it for this year.”

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Schell said the cancellation is tough for a few reasons. Not only is Operation Red Nose a valuable resource to help keep the roads safe during the holidays, but the service also serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for KidSport the Battlefords. KidSport helps to make community sports affordable for all children and youth in the community.

Schell said he is confident Operation Red Nose will be able to return come the holidays, 2021. In the meantime though, he said it’s greatly important to remember there remain other options for this year, as planning ahead is important.

“Whether it’s taking a cab, or having a designated driver, there are always better options than getting behind the wheel [while intoxicated],” he said. “Operation Red Nose is a very good program and I am sincerely hoping it’s just a one-year hiatus. I’m optimistic the 2021 holiday season will be a go, but until then, it remains important to find other safe alternatives.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1