Canada and US announce emissions regulations for vehicles

The announcement does not apply to freight trucks — a significant omission when freight emissions have nearly doubled since 1990.

Ottawa (April 1, 2010) - The National Union has been calling for strong regulations on vehicle carbon emission as an important part of the climate change solution for 3 years now.

Cherise Burda, Director of Sustainable Transportation for the Pembina Institute, responded to the federal vehicle emission regulations:

“These regulations help to get Canada on track to reduce its transportation emissions. But with Canada’s fleet of vehicles already more efficient than the U.S., these regulations are unlikely to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada before 2012.

“Transportation is responsible for one-quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel efficiency standards are just one piece of that puzzle. So while Canada has matched the U.S. on regulations for passenger vehicles, it is not matching the level of federal support that the Obama administration has announced for public transit and vehicle efficiency.

"This year, President Obama asked for nearly $13 billion in new sustainable transportation spending, while our analysis of the 2010 budget in Canada found zero new sustainable transportation spending.”

More information:

Greener Transportation: Personal Transportation - download PDF
This brief gives an overview of the car culture and the quest for a better personal vehicle. It describes the emergence of flex fuel vehicles, hybrids and electric cars while touching on alternatives like biking and walking as viable solutions.

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