Featured Post from CAA Club Group

STORY: By the Numbers - CAA looks back on key initiatives from the pandemic

Jun 30, 2020

3 min



It’s been almost five months since COVID-19 started to dominate headlines in Canada and many people and businesses had to adapt to quickly changing circumstances.  


As one of Canada’s largest membership organizations, with multiple areas of business, CAA had to navigate the changes in various industries in order to keep CAA members safe.  


The initial response 


As a travel company, our agents helped to rebook hundreds of passenger travel itineraries as flights were cancelled and borders closed. CAA’s travel insurance company, Orion Travel Insurance, worked with thousands of insureds to extend their trip cancellation and interruption insurance policies while offering additional protection for travel suppliers’ vouchers and credits.  


As the community spread of COVID-19 started to take hold, CAA had to make the difficult decision to implement contact-free service and ask members to seek alternative transportation from their breakdown location, all in the interest of keeping members and drivers safe.  


To help do our part to curb the spread of the virus, a decision was made in early March to close all of CAA’s retail stores across south-central Ontario. While the state of emergency had not yet been implemented by the province, we felt it was the right thing to do. All CAA associates across the company quickly adapted to work from home.  


Shortly after, a state of emergency went into effect in Ontario and CAA was established as an essential service both for roadside and insurance operations.  



A Responsibility to do something good 


Once the safety of CAA operations was taken care of, we quickly started looking at how else we can make a difference during this difficult time.  


First, we committed to supporting healthcare workers and first responders by offering free roadside assistance during this crisis. 


We then leveraged our network of trucks to deliver vital food and supplies to those in need. CAA worked with several large organizations in need, such as food banks, Meals on Wheels, Mobilizing Masks for Healthcare Workers and other community service groups, to assist with delivering vital supplies where they were needed urgently.  


CAA also felt that it was important to stay connected and check in on the vulnerable members of our community who are struggling most. We created Operation Outreach to proactively reach out to a group of CAA members who were over the age of 75. The initiative was overwhelmingly positive with members appreciating the call and opportunity to interact with someone. One member even offered to join our outbound-calling team and to help check in with others.


As the pandemic continued, we noticed that another important way we could give back and help people in need was through our insurance coverage.  


We saw that Canadians everywhere were feeling the profound social, emotional and financial effects of COVID-19, and so CAA Insurance looked at every possible way to help people save money. We are the only insurance company offering a 10% rate reduction on both home and auto policies, as well as a $100 Auto Insurance Relief Benefit. Unlike other insurers, we made sure that the rate reduction would be valid for the duration of the 12-month policy term. 


By the numbers 


Everything that was accomplished throughout the pandemic was possible thanks to the hard work of dedicated Associates and the enduring support of our Members. While many Members may join CAA for roadside or to sign up for insurance, they are also contributing to the community.  


The COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity for us to support our Members and the communities in which they live. We are pleased to share the impact that was made throughout this time.




You might also like...

Check out some other posts from CAA Club Group

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA survey finds cannabis-impaired driving remains a concern in Manitoba

As 4/20 approaches, a survey conducted on behalf of CAA Manitoba reveals a trend: while most drivers in the province recognize the risks of cannabis-impaired driving, a significant number continue to drive after consuming cannabis—often in combination with other substances like alcohol or prescription medication. “Manitobans who decide to drive after consuming cannabis often underestimate the risks associated with this action,” said Ewald Friesen, manager, government relations, CAA Manitoba. “People still seem to believe that they have no alternative but to drive home or that the drive is short enough that it doesn’t matter. We are here to remind Manitobans that while cannabis use is legal and can be safely consumed, you should never do it before driving.”  Forty-seven per cent of Manitoba drivers used cannabis in 2024; 36 per cent tried cannabis this year for the first time since legalization. Despite growing awareness of the risks, 18 per cent of Manitoba drivers admit to driving after using cannabis, with the majority doing so within just three hours of consumption. Half of those surveyed are driving within three hours of consumption. The survey also revealed that 53 per cent of recent cannabis-impaired drivers reported driving shortly after consumption, with 36 per cent feeling high while behind the wheel. Alarmingly, 79 per cent expressed confidence in their driving ability while impaired, though 71 per cent expressed concern about being caught. “There is a common misconception on how cannabis affects drivers,” says Friesen, “however, it has been proven that cannabis use can impact a driver’s reaction time, judgement, coordination and decision-making.” Driving after consuming edibles has been a growing trend since last year. While smoking remains the primary mode of cannabis use, the survey highlights a growing trend of driving after consuming edibles, which can have delayed and unpredictable effects. Solid edibles (67 per cent) and joints (61 per cent) are the most used formats, and more than half of cannabis users prefer edibles over any other format. "Unlike other forms of cannabis, edibles often have delayed and unpredictable effects, which can significantly impair judgment and reaction times,” adds Friesen. “It is crucial for individuals to recognize these differences and prioritize safety, not only for themselves but for everyone sharing the road." There is a disconnect between what people believe and how they behave when it comes to cannabis and driving. Although 93 per cent of Manitoba drivers agree that cannabis-impaired driving is a serious road safety issue, many still view it as less dangerous than alcohol or prescription opioids. This disconnect between perception and behaviour underscores the need for continued education and enforcement. The penalties for impaired driving are serious and can include: • Immediate 24-hour licence suspension (up to 60 days pending further testing) • Three-day vehicle impoundment • A $400 fine • Mandatory Impaired Driver Assessment • Additional administrative penalties, ignition interlock program requirements, and possible charges under the Criminal Code of Canada CAA Manitoba encourages all motorists to make safe, informed choices: • Know the rules and understand how different cannabis products affect the body. • Don’t drive impaired—whether by cannabis, alcohol, or any combination of substances. • Plan ahead by arranging a rideshare, taxi, or designated driver, especially if planning to consume cannabis during upcoming events like 4/20. The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights from July 5 to July 18, 2024, with 504 Manitoba drivers aged 19 and older. Based on the sample size of n=504 and with a confidence level of 95%, the margin of error for this research is +/- 3%.) 

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Nominate now: the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign kicks off

The nomination portal for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign is now open, and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is giving Ontarians the opportunity to voice their concerns about the bad roads in their communities. “Our research shows that 85 per cent of Ontarians are concerned about the state of our roads,” says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations, CAA SCO. “The campaign has been a vital platform for Ontarians to nominate roads they believe need urgent attention. It allows Ontarians to drive positive change in their communities by amplifying their voices.” Survey Reveals High Cost of Vehicle Damage from Poor Roads According to a survey conducted by CAA SCO, nearly half of respondents have experienced vehicle damage because of poor roads. Eighty-one per cent pay out of pocket to repair their vehicle, only three per cent file a claim with their personal auto insurance, and nine per cent forego repairs altogether. Vehicle damage caused by potholes and poor road maintenance can range from $500 to over $2,000. The average repair by those surveyed cost $933, a significant $81 increase from 2024. “With the increasing cost of living, many people hold on to their cars for longer when damaged, the last thing they need is expensive repair bills on an already stretched household budget,” adds Di Felice. The survey also found that cracked pavement remains the most dominant road-related issue (88 per cent), followed by potholes (84 per cent) and congestion (81 per cent – up four per cent from 2024). One of the highest-climbing road-related issues Members reported is reduced or closed lanes, where 78 per cent of respondents agreed it is common in their region—up six per cent from last year. “The frustration from motorists is evident,” says Di Felice, “congestion continues to grow as one of the top road-related concerns for Ontarians, and the CAA Worst Roads campaign allows governments the insight into what repairs need to be prioritized for their communities.” More than half of respondents (64 per cent) also agreed that not enough is currently being done to maintain the roads in their area. Decision-Makers Respond to the Worst Roads Campaign “We know that the campaign works and that decision-makers are listening. Since the start of the campaign, we have seen budgets prioritized and road repairs moved up,” says Di Felice, “in the last four campaigns, we have seen ten roads receive attention because of their nomination in the CAA Worst Roads campaign.” Ontario’s top 10 list is verified by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) and its members, including the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), and the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA). Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com from March 25 to April 18. Once the nominations are collected, CAA will reveal the top 10 worst roads in the province to the public. CAA conducted an online survey with 2,370 CAA SCO Members between January 6 to 14, 2025. Based on the sample size and the confidence level (95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/- 2 per cent.

3 min

MEDIA RELEASE: Nominate now: the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign kicks off

The 14th annual CAA Worst Roads Campaign is live and CAA Manitoba wants citizens to voice their concerns and nominate the roads they want to see fixed. “Our research shows that 96 per cent of Manitobans are concerned about the state of our roads,” says Ewald Friesen, manager government relations at CAA Manitoba, “the CAA Worst Roads campaign gives Manitobans a voice in highlighting the roads they believe are in need of repair which provides a valuable snapshot to decision-makers.” A recent survey conducted by CAA Manitoba found that more than half of respondents have experienced vehicle damage because of poor roads. Eighty per cent paying out of pocket to repair them – up ten per cent from last year, only five per cent filing a claim with MPI - down 11 per cent from 2024. Eight per cent of Manitobans forwent repairs altogether.  According to the survey, poor road conditions, especially potholes and sunken sewer grates, are causing significant vehicle damage and increasing out-of-pocket repair costs for drivers. “Many Manitobans are experiencing the effects of the rise in the cost of living, including having to delay vehicle repairs. This makes investing in our roads and infrastructure more crucial than ever,” says Friesen. “We understand that consumers are being cautious with their spending, and many choose to keep their cars longer instead of purchasing new ones and stretching an already strained family budget." The damage caused to a vehicle by hitting a pothole can cost anywhere from $300 to $6,000, depending on the make and model of the car. The survey found that almost half of respondents paid between $500 to $1,999 to repair their vehicle, with an average cost of $882. “CAA Worst Roads campaign is a platform that gives Manitobans an opportunity to speak up and helps the different levels of government understand what roads are pain points for their constituents,” says Friesen. “We know the campaign works because we see governments prioritize budgets and move up road repairs every year after appearing on the CAA Worst Roads list,” adds Friesen. “This includes last year’s winner, 18th Street in Brandon, where we saw a swift, coordinated response between the municipality and the province.” Manitobans can nominate any road for issues ranging from congestion, potholes, poor road signs and the timing of traffic lights to pedestrian and cycling safety.  “Nearly 60 per cent of those who have ever participated in the campaign believe that nominating a road could result in the repair of it,” shares Friesen, “CAA Manitoba is calling on all road users to nominate the roads they believe need attention to help make our roads safer and show decision-makers what roadway improvements are important to Manitobans.” Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com starting March 18 until April 11. Once the nominations are collected, CAA Manitoba will compile a list of the top 10 worst roads in the province, which will be announced to the public. CAA conducted an online survey with 1,014 CAA Manitoba Members between January 6 to 14, 2025. Based on the sample size and the confidence level (95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/-3 per cent.

View all posts
Powered by