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Local Mountie wins national MADD award

Oct. 6, 2021, Nova Scotia – Const. Laura Cormier, of the Cookville RCMP detachment, has been trying to get an impaired driving prevention message across to motorists since becoming a Mountie in 2003. She strengthened her effort by joining Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada in 2008.

She has been working tirelessly for this cause and on September 18, she was rewarded for her effort and was given the prestigious national, Terry Ryan Memorial Award for Excellence in Police Services during this year’s MADD Canada’s virtual annual National Leadership Conference held in Toronto.

Cormier was watching the event via live-stream with a group of friends when the award was announced.

“I’m very touched by being nominated by a group of my peers and then to be chosen as the national recipient of such a prestigious award,” she told LighthouseNOW. “I’m absolutely excited and honoured to be recognized by MADD Canada.”

According to the award description, the honour “recognizes the significant contribution of police services in helping to reduce impaired driving. It is presented annually to recognize exemplary service by a police officer in reducing the incidence of impaired driving. This award is presented in memory of Const. Terry Ryan whose life ended tragically in May of 2002 when he was killed in a two-car alcohol-related crash on his way home from a police function in the Durham Region of Ontario.”

Cormier, originally from Moncton, NB, began her career with the RCMP in the Northwest Territories. She joined the Queens RCMP detachment in 2006 where she remained for 10 years.

In 2016-2018, she worked in a specialized marine unity in Kingston, Ont. before returning to the South Shore and joining Lunenburg district RCMP in 2018 where she continues to serve.

Cormier decided to join MADD Canada because she “really wanted to make a difference in road safety in Queens and Lunenburg County, and of course, by trying to make a difference by increasing knowledge among drivers about how to remain safe while operating on roadways and to prevent crashes caused by impaired driving decisions.”

Cormier said working to prevent people from driving impaired is an ongoing battle.

“It shocks me on how people still make that decision to drive while impaired when there are so many choices on how they can get home.”

During the awards’ ceremony, the emcee of the event shared why Cormier was deserving of the award.

“Laura is well known and well respected for her work ethic, her positive attitude, team work, leadership skills and for everything she does to stop impaired driving and make the community better,” noted the presenter. “We are truly honoured to recognize her incredible efforts with this award.”

MADD Canada is a registered Canadian Charitable organization formed in 1989. Its mission is to stop impaired driving and support victims.