MADD Antigonish - Who is MADD Canada

Our Mission: To stop impaired driving and to support victims of this violent crime.

Short History of MADD Canada

MADD Canada is a national, grassroots, registered, charitable organization with Chapters and Community Leaders. MADD's predecessor, PRIDE (People to Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) received official Chapter status from MADD in the US in 1983. It was the only official licencee of MADD in Canada, and it was not long before several more chapters were formed. In 1989, MADD Canada officially became a national organization.

MADD chapters across the country are run by volunteers. They include people from all walks of life: not just mothers, but also fathers, friends, business professionals, concerned citizens, youth, and experts in the anti-impaired driving field who want to make a difference and prevent impaired driving crashes.

Funding for MADD is provided by individual donors, memorial donations, community fundraising, corporate sponsors, Project Red Ribbon and planned giving.

MADD Canada and Chapter Leaders are working to create, strengthen and enforce impaired driving laws. MADD Canada and local volunteers continue to meet with their governement officials and have been successful in having new Federal and Provincial legislation implemented.

MADD Canada's Statement of Beliefs

That our primary purposes are to eliminate the death and injury caused by impaired driving and to support victims of this violent crime.

That MADD Canada is a grassroots organization that draws its strength, energy and leadership from its volunteers.

That active participation in MADD Canada Chapter activities is productive for the community and encourages healing for many victims of impaired driving.

That an aggressive legislative and public policy advocacy program is necessary to achieve MADD Canada’s purposes.

That a Victims’ Bill of Rights must be established in law; parallel to but not infringing on the rights of the accused.

That a balanced program of public awareness, education, legislation, and aggressive enforcement by police, crown attorneys, and the courts is essential to eliminating impaired driving.

That while an individual’s decision to consume alcohol is a private matter, driving after consuming alcohol is a public matter.

That impaired drivers and others who directly contribute to the crime of impaired driving must be held accountable for their behaviour.

That drugs and the mixture of drugs and alcohol contribute to the death and injury caused by impaired driving crashes.

That rehabilitation of impaired drivers is essential.

That driving is a privilege, not a right.

That impaired driving crashes are not accidents.