Impaired driving memorial unveiled outside Saskatoon city hall

Lou Van de Vorst stood with his family on the lawn outside Saskatoon City Hall Saturday as dozens of people came to see a new monument that honours the victims of impaired driving in Saskatchewan.

His son Jordan and his daughter in-law Chandra, along with his grandchildren Miguire and Kamryn were killed by a drunk driver in 2016.

Those names, along with 41 others are etched into the red and black monument created by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada with the help of Van de Vorst and other families that have lost someone to impaired driving.

“It’s more of an educational tool,” he said. “It’s to remind people of the impact of impaired driving in the province of Saskatchewan and how serious a problem that we have here with that.”

Van de Vorst was thankful to the city for the location of the statue. He thinks having it in downtown in a well-traveled area will serve as more than a reminder to people driving and walking by.

“It would be an even bigger impact if we saw the number of  impaired driving deaths go down year after year after year from where they are even now. If they continued to go down, that would be more of a satisfaction to me than anything else,” Van de Vorst said.

“I hope it’s one tool, a big tool, to drive that message home.”

MADD pleased with process

MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie was pleased to see the collaborative effort come together in a prime location.

“That’s why we held off, that’s why it took so long,” he said, pointing to the City’s patience. “It would have been easier to find a spot that was tucked away. Though it took longer, this is the one that will serve as: ‘Here is how it should be done going forward.'”

There are four other provinces that have a provincial memorial for victims of impaired driving. Murie would like to see each province have a monument like the one unveiled Saturday.

“For the families, it makes sure that loved one is never going to be forgotten. The monument provides that opportunity. If families want to come and remember their loved one, this is a very peaceful, beautiful place to come,” he said.