New initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are part of the recommendations outlined in the report of the Vehicle Standards Advisory Board, released by Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau.
“Our province has been a leader in taking action on climate change and today we continue to build on that,” said Rondeau. “The board has given us clear direction to implement additional measures that will help reduce vehicle emissions across the province.”
The Vehicle Standards Advisory Board was formed as a condition under the Climate Change and Emissions Reduction Act. This act supports Beyond Kyoto, Manitoba’s action plan on climate change which includes 60 specific actions to reduce greenhouse gasses.
“We are pleased to present this report to the minister, “said Marilyn McLaren, co-chair of the Vehicle Standards Advisory Board. “We heard many perspectives and this report supports the most aggressive vehicle standards possible.”
Rondeau noted the province will immediately implement an aggressive action plan based on the board’s findings including:
• Implementing aggressive vehicle emission reduction targets. The implementation plan includes introducing the California Air Resources Board model for emission reductions pending approval in the United States and economic analysis on the impact on retailers in Manitoba.
• Promoting increased fuel efficiency on Manitoba roads. The current hybrid rebate program will be replaced with new incentives to get older cars off the road.
• Introducing Green Driving, new public education campaign. The campaign will promote vehicle maintenance and driving habits that help to reduce fuel consumption and will include tips on anti‑idling and promoting car pooling.
• Providing support for transit. The Manitoba government is supporting investments in a new rapid transit corridor for the city of Winnipeg and has enshrined a fifty-fifty share of the cost of operation of transit in legislation.
“This plan will provide the foundation for additional actions that will be supported by initiatives already underway as part of Beyond Kyoto,” said Rondeau.
The Manitoba Vehicle Standards Advisory Board included:
• Marilyn McLaren (co-chair), president and CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance;
• Larry Vickar (co-chair), president, Vickar Community Chevrolet;
• Jeff Zabudsky, president and CEO, Red River College;
• Ajaleigh Williams chapter coordinator, Red River Valley Clean Cities Coalition, Winnipeg Chapter; and
• Randall McQuaker, executive director, Resource Conservation Manitoba.
“I want to thank the board for their hard work in providing a report with recommendations that will help to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions on our roads and keep us on track to meeting our Kyoto target,” Rondeau said.
