Madd-Matters-Winter-2012.Pdf
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Winter 2012 MADD Matters Canada’s Mission: MADD Canada’s Red Ribbon Marks 25-Year Milestone To MADD Canada launched its 25th Project Red provincial and territorial legislatures and local Ribbon campaign in November with a series municipal governments supported the 25th of special events and activities across the anniversary with official Proclamations of Stop country. Project Red Ribbon Day, official statements of support and other observances. At the National launch on Parliament Hill, Impaired MADD Canada National President Denise “For 25 years, our red ribbon has symbolized Dubyk kicked off the campaign with special safe and sober driving during the holiday guests including: the Honourable Marjory season,” said Ms. Dubyk. “We are Driving LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the tremendously grateful for all the support Senate; RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson; we have received over those years from OPP Chief Superintendent Gary Couture; our elected leaders, our police services And and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and members of the public who wear these President and CEO John O’Donnell. The day ribbons proudly as a sign of their commitment included the performance of a new song to sober driving. And, of course, we simply To written and produced for MADD Canada by could not do this without the support of our Michael Hanson, the original drummer and sponsors, including Allstate Canada, Westcan founder of musical group Glass Tiger. RTL, Irving Oil, #TAXI and BMO Financial Support Group.” Project Red Ribbon runs from November 1 to January 7, during which time MADD Canada Victims volunteers are out in their communities distributing millions of red ribbons to the public to attach to their vehicles, key chains, Of purses, briefcases and backpacks. The ribbon reminds people to plan ahead for a This safe ride home if they’re going to be drinking. Impaired driving can be prevented if everyone makes good, responsible, safe choices. Violent The Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader • Plan ahead when you know you’ll be drinking. of the Government in the Senate, ties a red Take a cab or bus, arrange a designated ribbon on a police vehicle with MADD Canada driver or plan to stay over. Crime. National President Denise Dubyk and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada President and • Never drive impaired or ride with an impaired Chief Executive Officer John O’Donnell. driver. Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a • And if you see a driver you suspect is statement commemorating the campaign and impaired, call 911 to report it to police. The statements were also read in the House of call you make could save a life. Commons and the Senate. Across the country, More on page 2 Red Ribbon Marks Matters 25-Year Milestone continued from page 1 At the MADD Grey North Bruce Project Red Ribbon launch. At the Quebec Provincial Project Red Ribbon launch: (left to right): Robert Villemure of Allstate Canada; Angeliki Souranis, MADD Canada Director for Quebec Region; Nicolas Bellier, Allstate Canada; Patrick Veilleux, Automotive Project Red Ribbon Recyclers of Canada; Marie Claude Morin, MADD Canada Quebec Region; Caroline Barrette, Agence Über. Campaign Sponsors This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between MADD Canada and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. Allstate Canada has been a generous supporter of MADD Canada’s programs, including Project Red Ribbon, Campaign 911 and the Title Sponsor School Assembly Program, as well as numerous statistical Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and research publications, and education and awareness materials. National Sponsor RTL-Westcan Group of Companies “For 25 years, Allstate Canada, its agents and employees have been proud to stand with MADD Canada as part Official Sponsor of the effort to eliminate impaired driving,” said Mr. Irving Oil O’Donnell. “We are proud to be here again this year to support Project Red Ribbon. It our sincerest hope that the Corporate Sponsors drive sober message will be heard and heeded throughout #TAXI the holiday season.” BMO Financial Group MADD Canada’s red ribbons are available through our web site, Chapters and Community Leaders, Allstate Corporate Sponsors Canada offices across the country and participating British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch sponsor outlets. For more information, please see the LCBO Project Red Ribbon page on the MADD Canada web site at www.madd.ca. Manitoba Liquor Corporation New Brunswick Liquor Commission Anyone who wishes to support Project Red Ribbon with a donation can do so online through the web site, by calling Newfoundland Liquor Corporation 1-800-665-6233 or by texting “madd” to 45678 (a $5 Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation one-time donation is added to the donor’s cell phone bill and payable to his or her service provider). Supporters Northwest Territories Liquor Commission can also make donations to MADD Canada through their Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission smartphones, thanks to our new mobile-optimized web site. Visit www.madd.ca on an iPhone, Blackberry or Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Page Android smartphone to check it out. Yukon Liquor Corporation Two National President’s Message Matters Legislation Aims to Increase Support for Victims When we think about government Criminal Code offences mandatory; and double the legislation as it relates to impaired surcharge to 30% of any fine imposed. If no fine is driving, it usually focuses on testing imposed, the legislation will set a minimum surcharge for impairment, or the prosecution of of $100 for summary conviction offences and $200 offenders, or the penalties imposed for indictable offences. Those amounts are double the on those convicted. Right now though, former minimum charges. there is legislation before Parliament which will improve support for victims MADD Canada has strongly supported this legislation. of all crimes, including victims of In fact, we have encouraged the government to go even impaired driving. further on behalf of victims and address some of the other challenges within the current network of provincial For far too long, victims had no voice within the criminal and territorial victim services programs. These programs, justice system. That began to change several years ago, for example, are available only to those victims involved in and this new legislation would help to further recognize the judicial system. So if an impaired driver who causes the needs of victims and the need for offenders to be a death or injury dies himself in the crash, there are more accountable to those they affect with their actions. no court proceedings and therefore the victims created in that crash are not eligible for these provincial and The Increasing Offender’s Accountability for Victims Act territorial victims’ programs. Or, as is the case for many (Bill C-37) will increase the victim fine surcharge imposed victims, perhaps the healing process doesn’t really begin on those convicted of Criminal Code offences and make for them until the court case is over. When they reach the surcharge mandatory. out to get the services they need, these services are no longer available because of time restrictions. (This In 1989, federal legislation was passed to impose a victim is one of the ways MADD Canada and other community fine surcharge. It was intended to be a form of financial organizations meet the needs of those victims who aren’t accountability for the offenders to the victims they eligible for those provincial and territorial programs.) created, and the money collected was intended to fund provincial and territorial programs to assist victims as MADD Canada has encouraged the government to ensure they tried to cope with and recover from their experiences. the additional money collected through the victim fine The surcharge amount was 15% of any fine imposed on surcharge can be used to expand services for all victims the convicted offender. of crime. There is no template for how victims deal with their grief and loss and so we need to ensure that services Even though the surcharge was not mandatory, the spirit of are there for them when they need them. the legislation was that the surcharge was to be imposed unless there was realistic, significant and undue financial hardship. Unfortunately, that has not been the practice. Judges are not imposing the surcharges that often. As a result, offenders were not being held accountable in this small financial way, nor were the programs and services required for victims being adequately supported. Denise Dubyk The new bill proposes two key amendments: make the National President victim surcharge fine imposed on those convicted of Save the Date MADD Canada’s 2013 National Conference for Victims of Impaired Driving will be held in Toronto from April 26-28. The National Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance takes place on the evening of April 27. The conference features keynote presentations and workshops that provide support, help and tips to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one or who themselves have been injured in an impaired driving crash. For more information, contact Ardene Vicioso at [email protected] or Gloria Appleby at [email protected]. Page Three Holidays and Hope Matters The holidays are usually a time of joy, family togetherness, gift giving and thankfulness. But if someone in your life has died, the holidays may bring feelings of sadness, “Although you and your loved one will be apart loss and emptiness. May the spirit of the season comfort your heart MADD Canada offers information and ideas on how to cope with the emotions and challenges you may be And may its message of peace be with you each day experiencing this holiday season. To help and guide along life’s way.” The following are taken from MADD Canada’s Holidays and Hope brochure.