MADD Canada Urges Everyone to Help Ensure There Is No Empty Seat This Thanksgiving

OAKVILLE, Ontario, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thanksgiving is a time to come together, share a meal and make memories with loved ones. With people travelling and gathering over the Thanksgiving long weekend, MADD Canada urges anyone who consumes alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs to plan ahead for a safe ride home.

Although progress has been made, impaired driving remains one of the leading criminal causes of death in Canada. Every year hundreds of people are killed and thousands more are injured in impaired driving crashes that are entirely preventable. The consequences can be devastating, leaving families grieving the loss of loved ones and victims and survivors living with lasting injuries.

“Thanksgiving is about being together with the people we love,” said Trisha Dosaj, National President of MADD Canada, who was injured in an impaired driving crash in 2013 with her daughter, Sophia, while her sister, Jayna, and unborn niece, Lauren, were killed in the same crash. “No one should have to face an empty seat at the dinner table or live with life-altering injuries caused by impaired driving. Please plan ahead and get home safely.”

To help ensure everyone gets home safely this Thanksgiving long weekend and all year long, we all have a role to play: 

• Never drive a car, boat, an ATV or any other motorized vehicle while impaired; 
• Never get into a vehicle being operated by someone who is impaired;
• Always plan ahead so you know how you are getting home safely;
• Call 911 if you see a driver you suspect is impaired. 
  
  

Those looking for a sober and reliable ride home at the push of a button can check out Uber, MADD Canada’s Official Designated Rideshare APP. Visit www.uber.com/ca/en/ for more information.

About MADD Canada
MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims and survivors of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in close to 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. For more information, visit www.madd.ca.

For more information, contact:                                        
Arielle Nkongmeneck, MADD Canada Communications Manager, 1-800-665-6233 ext. 240 or ankongmeneck@madd.ca