Operation Red Nose celebrates its 40th anniversary: more than 2.4 million escorts since 1984

Posted On: November 5, 2023

Comedian and host Dany Turcotte will serve as spokesperson for Operation Red Nose this year, which will take place from November 24th to December 31st in several cities in Quebec and elsewhere.

Organizers announced details of the 40th on Wednesday^e Edition of Operation Red Nose. For Dany Turcotte, this commitment takes on a special character since he was the first spokesman for the initiative, which has made it possible to offer more than 2.4 million trips since 1984.

“25 years ago I was the first speaker. It was the first time there was such a thing at that time and it made me happy to do it. It was with my character Dany Verveine,” the comedian recalled.

“This year I am celebrating my 40th career anniversary. So that’s what we have in common,” he added.

According to him, Operation Red Nose has been instrumental in changing the mentality over the years.

“Red Nose has a lot to do with it. It’s like a family friend reminding you that it’s okay to drive drunk. At the same time, Red Nose doesn’t lecture people. You can party, but you can’t drive. “We’ll get you,” said the spokesman.

In 1984 the repatriation operation was supposed to last a year. It is now a holiday tradition almost everywhere in Canada and even in Switzerland.

“As a mathematician, I don’t know about you, but for me, 40 is a big number. It’s difficult to get used to,” said Jean-Marie De Koninck, founding president.

In Quebec, the service will be available in more than 600 municipalities and villages, serving more than 87% of the province’s population.

Always room for improvement

“It is very impressive to see that after 40 campaigns, Operation Red Nose is still as important and mobilizing as ever.” It is a fantastic tool to promote road safety. “It is primarily a comprehensive awareness-raising campaign on the problem of drink-driving,” continued Mr De Koninck.

“Today, drunk driving remains a leading cause of accidents in Quebec. From 2017 to 2021, alcohol-related accidents caused an average of 85 deaths and 200 serious injuries each year,” said Éric Ducharme, president and CEO of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.

In the 1980s, there were an average of 500 alcohol-related deaths per year on Quebec streets.

This year’s new additions include the Operation Red Nose Center leaving the convention center and settling in Peps at Laval University. A new mobile application will also provide an improved experience for volunteers and clients.