Saint John, New Brunswick – Beginning the last weekend of November until the end of December, five communities in New Brunswick will offer the free designated driver program Operation Red Nose, with the help of the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and thousands of volunteers, including a new campaign in Saint John.

The free service, which drives partygoers home in their vehicles, will operate in the Acadian Peninsula, Edmundston, Moncton, Oromocto-Burton and Saint John. It is the first time the service will be offered in Saint John, where it is hosted by Fusion Saint John.

“Operation Red Nose increases public awareness about enjoying the season and making responsible choices,” said Bill Adams, acting vice-president, Atlantic, IBC. “Our goal is to keep the festive season festive by preventing the needless tragedies that result from impaired driving. Operation Red Nose is a natural extension of our industry’s long-term commitment to road safety, and we are delighted to be a part of this important program for the fourth consecutive year. Part of this commitment is an overall contribution of $225,000, which goes to support the promotion, organization and administration of this program.”

For a second year, the New Brunswick campaign will benefit from the support of Alcool NB Liquor, which will provide financial support, along with an awareness campaign within its stores in the communities where Operation Red Nose will be running.

Operation Red Nose was created in 1984 in Quebec City. To commemorate this 25th campaign, the national office of Operation Red Nose has organized a draw for the volunteers from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a top prize of a five-day trip to Quebec City.