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'It’s an effective program with a proven track record in lowering harmful emissions across the Lower Mainland.'
Vancouver (5 Nov. 2010) - Continuing the AirCare program beyond 2011 is a cost-effective way of reducing harmful emissions in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, the Metro Vancouver AirCare Review Committee has concluded.
The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) welcomes this development and calls on Metro Vancouver to endorse these findings at its next board meeting on Nov 9.
“The environmental benefits of AirCare have been measured. It’s an effective program with a proven track record in lowering harmful emissions across the Lower Mainland. The review process clearly indicates that the health and cost benefits of the program extend until 2020 at least, if not longer,” says BCGEU president Darryl Walker.
“It’s time to end the uncertainty around the future of AirCare. We are calling on Metro Vancouver to endorse these findings and for the Government of British Columbia to renew the program,” Walker adds.
AirCare has been reviewed and updated at regular intervals since its creation in 1992. The program is scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2011, pending the current review process. The AirCare Review Committee is presenting its report to Metro Vancouver on Nov. 9.
The review proves that the environmental and health benefits of the program outweigh its costs until at least 2020, even using the most conservative emissions and health benefits estimates.
Despite more stringent emissions standards for new personal vehicles, the actual emission performance of newer vehicles is deteriorating more rapidly than initially thought, the report warned.
AirCare is the vehicle emissions testing program for the Lower Mainland. The program is run by members of BCGEU and the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE). It is administered by Translink. BCGEU represents 114 members who work at AirCare facilities in the Lower Mainland.
The AirCare program is funded entirely through the collection of test fees and is required by legislation to collect no more than the revenue sufficient to cover the costs of the program.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE