Operation Red Nose program ends in Saint John

The Operation Red Nose program will not be offered in Saint John this holiday season.

FUSION Saint John Inc., which normally runs the program that provides free rides to prevent people from drinking and driving, says it couldn't find an insurance company willing to cover the volunteer drivers and clients.

"Our local insurance broker tried to reach out to quite a few different insurance companies and they weren't even able to find anybody willing to provide us with a quote," said FUSION chair Jane MacEachern.

"It's really unfortunate that we weren't able to go forward with it," she said. "We do think that it is a fantastic program. It's just unfortunate we can't get the requirements together to operate it."

The program provided 140 rides last year, said MacEachern.

FUSION has been offering the program to residents of Greater Saint John, from Grand Bay-Westfield to Quispamsis, since 2008.

Insurance Bureau pulled out in 2010

The Insurance Bureau of Canada had sponsored the national program in New Brunswick for five years, but that ended two years ago.

Operation Red Nose was able to sponsor the insurance coverage last season, said David Latouche, who works at the organization's head office in Quebec.

But this year is different, he said.

"Since we don't have any insurance sponsor in New Brunswick this year, all local communities need to find their own coverage."

The program will still operate in Oromocto and the Acadian Peninsula after Cambridge SIA agreed to provide coverage.

Earlier this month, the Halifax program became the first to be cancelled in the organization's 28-year history.

Operation Red Nose will be offered in 108 communities across the country this year, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 31.

Under the program, which was created in Quebec City, volunteer drivers ensure clients and their vehicles get home safely.