Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Metro Vancouver's AirCare Program Coming To An End After 22 Years

IANS, 29 Dec, 2014 01:29 PM
    VANCOUVER — Wednesday will mark the end of the 22-year-old AirCare program in Metro Vancouver.
     
    The B.C. government's attempt to slash air pollution started back in 1992 and saw emissions tested for millions of cars and light trucks.
     
    But the government says the need for the program is dropping, pointing out the failure rate in vehicles fell from 14 per cent to eight per cent in the last seven years because of advances in emission-reduction capabilities.
     
    In a memo to members, Stephanie Smith, the president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, says the union fought hard to retain the program and union jobs, but the government refused to revisit the decision to cancel Aircare.
     
    About 100 BCGEU members are expected to lose their jobs.
     
    Ryan Patel, a salesman at the used vehicle dealership Legacy Cars, says the program was a nuisance and expense for vehicle owners, but the end of program could mean drivers will delay fixing their vehicles with the threat of failing AirCare now gone.
     
    "The engine light pops on because those (emissions-control devices) are now failing,"  he says. "If they fail, that means you're now polluting the environment again."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Surrey Six Murders: Cold-Blooded Killers Get Life Without Parole For 25 Years

    Surrey Six Murders: Cold-Blooded Killers Get Life Without Parole For 25 Years

    VANCOUVER — A "cold-blooded" murder conspiracy of a rival gangster that blundered...

    Surrey Six Murders: Cold-Blooded Killers Get Life Without Parole For 25 Years

    Man Loses Appeal For Murder Of Sex Worker, Firearms Offence In B.C. Brothel

    Man Loses Appeal For Murder Of Sex Worker, Firearms Offence In B.C. Brothel
    VANCOUVER — A convicted murderer whose botched robbery of a Burnaby, B.C., brothel led to the death of a sex worker has lost his appeal in the province's highest court.

    Man Loses Appeal For Murder Of Sex Worker, Firearms Offence In B.C. Brothel

    Avian Flu Confirmed In Ninth Barn In B.C. Fraser Valley; 7,000 More Birds Affected

    Avian Flu Confirmed In Ninth Barn In B.C. Fraser Valley; 7,000 More Birds Affected
    VANCOUVER — Federal officials say avian influenza has been detected in a ninth poultry barn in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.

    Avian Flu Confirmed In Ninth Barn In B.C. Fraser Valley; 7,000 More Birds Affected

    U.S. Agents Nab Burnaby Manslaughter Suspect And Return Him To Canada

    U.S. Agents Nab Burnaby Manslaughter Suspect And Return Him To Canada
    BURNABY, B.C. — A 20-year-old Vancouver man is in custody on a manslaughter charge after being arrested at Seattle's airport.

    U.S. Agents Nab Burnaby Manslaughter Suspect And Return Him To Canada

    Quebec cop accused of roughing up students to be tried under streamlined process

    Quebec cop accused of roughing up students to be tried under streamlined process
    MONTREAL — The Crown will use a streamlined process to deal with an assault charge against a Montreal police officer who gained notoriety during Quebec's student protests.

    Quebec cop accused of roughing up students to be tried under streamlined process

    Guitar Signed By Mccartney, Clapton, Beck Stolen From West Vancouver Store

    Guitar Signed By Mccartney, Clapton, Beck Stolen From West Vancouver Store
    VANCOUVER — A guitar graced with the signatures of music legends including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck has been reported stolen from a store in West Vancouver.

    Guitar Signed By Mccartney, Clapton, Beck Stolen From West Vancouver Store