MADD urges caution as province extends alcohol service hours for World Cup

The local community leader for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says he is not surprised the province is extending last call during the FIFA World Cup.

Last call in Ontario is typically 2 a.m., but it will be extended to 4 a.m. from June 11 to July 19.

Chaouki Hamka says the move does come with concerns.

“I wasn’t surprised. The government has been proactively extending timelines for alcohol consumption during major events,” he said.

He warns longer hours come with added risk.

“We understand that when you extend drinking hours, it increases the risk of impaired driving, so we are calling on the public, licensed establishments and the government to make safety the top priority during the FIFA celebrations,” Hamka said.

He urges people to plan ahead before heading out.

“Have a plan in place. We always stress that having a plan is crucial in preventing impaired driving,” he said.

The province has previously extended drinking hours for major sporting events, including the recent gold medal hockey game between Canada and the United States.