Metro Vancouver call to save AirCare and expand testing would improve air quality: BCGEU

VANCOUVER, March 4, 2014 /CNW/ - The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) issued a statement today in support of Metro Vancouver's call for the provincial government to extend the current, successful AirCare program until 2020. The B.C. Liberal government currently plans to cancel AirCare at the end of 2014. 

The Metro board also directed staff to develop recommendations for an ongoing light-duty vehicle program to ensure that the important benefits achieved by the AirCare Program are retained. 

"Metro recognizes the value of AirCare, which is one of the most effective emissions testing programs in North America," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker. "The B.C. Liberal government's decision to cancel it was not based on science or facts. AirCare has helped reduce vehicle emissions and helped clean the air we all breathe. It should be expanded, not cancelled. 

"New cars are cleaner. That is why AirCare doesn't test cars until they've been on the road seven years or more. This is when emissions control systems can begin to fail," says Walker. "Without a light duty vehicle testing system, more older, polluting vehicles will be on our roads and our air quality will suffer as a result."

Background:

Read the BCGEU report Renewing Our Commitment to Clean Air in BC http://bit.ly/clean-air-bc

More information on AirCare and why it should be extended and expanded http://bit.ly/saveaircare

SOURCE: B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union

Chris Bradshaw at 604-291-9611