SASKATOON — Victims killed in crashes involving alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs were honoured June 7 during a ceremony hosted by MADD Canada at the Saskatchewan Provincial Monument in Saskatoon. Families and friends of the victims were joined by community members and special guests for the remembrance ceremony.
The monument, located on the grounds of Saskatoon City Hall, is etched with the names of 69 victims, including two new names added this year, with sombre ceremony on June 7.
“Every life represented here mattered deeply — to their families, to their friends, and to the communities that grieve their loss,” said Tanya Hansen Pratt, national president of MADD Canada. “Today’s ceremony reminds us of the lives behind the impaired driving statistics and the importance of preventing this heartbreak for others.”
Special guests attending the ceremony included The Honourable Tracy Muggli, senator for Saskatchewan; The Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, minister of advanced education; Ward 10 city councillor Zach Jeffries; Deputy Chief Saskatoon Police Service Darren Pringle; Saskatoon Fire Deputy Chief Yvonne Raymer; and Superintendent Grant St. Germaine, RCMP Traffic Services.
Following the lighting of candles in honour of each victim, families and friends attended the unveiling of the new names that have been etched on the monument.
MADD Canada thanked the City of Saskatoon for supporting the creation of the Saskatchewan provincial monument and the annual ceremonies.
This is the seventh annual Saskatchewan provincial monument ceremony.
Bonny Stevenson is the president of the Saskatoon chapter of MADD, and she says, “We started our MADD Saskatoon Chapter in 2018, and I have been president since we have started. We lost our son Quinn in 2013 and felt it was very important to get involved with MADD and really promote Plan a Safe Ride Home and help support victims of the senseless tragedy.”
Stevenson adds, “Every year, hundreds of Canadians are killed in impaired driving crashes. These tragedies are made all the worse by the fact that they were entirely preventable. My husband Craig and I lost our 17-year-old son in 2013. There is nothing that prepares you for an officer at your door telling you your 17-year-old son is deceased. It is a journey I don’t wish on anyone. There is no part of our lives that have not been affected.”
Impaired driving continues to be a leading criminal cause of death in this country.
Arielle Nkongmeneck, communications manager for MADD, says of the seventh annual ceremony in Saskatoon, “Unfortunately, new names are added to the monument each year. This year, we are adding two names, a mother and daughter: Laura Anne Fearnley and Jamie Jean Hannah.”
MADD Canada was formed in 1989 to create a national network of victims/survivors and concerned citizens working to stop impaired driving and to support victims/survivors of this violent crime.
Nkongmeneck adds, “MADD Canada’s mission is to stop impaired driving and to support victims of this violent crime. Here are some of the ways people can support the organization:
Help us stop impaired driving:
- Always plan ahead so you know how you are getting home safely;
- Never drive a car, boat, snowmobile, ATV or any other vehicle while impaired;
- Never get into a vehicle being operated by someone who is impaired;
- Call 911 if you see a driver you suspect is impaired.
MADD Canada has been in operation since 1989. Visit their for more information or to donate.
Saskatoon’s MADD chapter president also notes, “We are kicking off our Crashed Car Campaign June 5.”
Dates and locations for the campaign:
- June 5–25: Alice Turner Library, 110 Nelson Road (NE corner), Ward 10
- June 26–July 16: 51st & Warman Road (SW corner), Ward 5
- July 17–Aug. 6: Diefenbaker & 22nd St. (SE corner), Ward 3
- Aug. 7–27: Valley Rd. near landfill entrance, Ward 2
- Aug. 28–Sept. 17: Voyageur Cres., U of S cul-de-sac island.
