WHEREAS the Okanagan Airshed was identified as degraded by the Ministry of Environment in 2002, due to consistently high levels of particulates which create negative health outcomes; AND WHEREAS the Regional District of North Okanagan Air Quality Action Plan 2005 has identified both smoke and vehicle emissions as key concerns for health; AND WHEREAS the Kyoto Accord, as supported by the federal government, strives to lower greenhouse gases and has reached a voluntary agreement with auto makers on steps to improve fuel efficiency for new vehicles: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities petition the provincial and federal governments to strive towards health, supporting standards for enhanced emission levels for auto fuels and the establishment of emission level standards for backyard boiler appliances.
Ministry of Environment: AIR QUALITY: The Province is committed to protecting the environment and human health and safety by ensuring clean and safe water, land and air. The federal government has set stringent regulatory requirements for motor vehicles and fuels sold throughout Canada. British Columbia continues to benefit from the resulting emission reductions. The province supports alternative, cleaner fuels and recognizes consumers and producers of fuels that result in reductions of greenhouse gases, criteria air contaminants, and toxins. OUTDOOR BOILERS: In 1994, British Columbia became the first Canadian jurisdiction to require that new woodstoves and fireplace inserts meet stringent emission standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Act by enacting the Solid Wood Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation. The current U.S. and British Columbia regulatory requirements were put into place prior to outdoor boilers coming on the market. Therefore, there are no emission regulations that pertain to outdoor boilers. The Province is working with the federal government to develop a national regulation that will cover all types of wood burning appliances, including outdoor boilers. This regulation is anticipated to come into effect following the 2008 revisions to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Meanwhile, local bylaws that restrict the use of outdoor boilers within populated areas of the province are likely the most effective option for dealing with these units. The Greater Vancouver Regional District, the Regional District of Central Okanagan, and the City of Quesnel are a few local governments who have bylaws in place that essentially ban outdoor boilers within populated areas. The District of Sparwood is also in the process of drafting a bylaw that will address all residential wood heating appliances including outdoor boilers. These bylaws are fine examples of shared stewardship in efforts to reduce emissions and improve the health of British Columbians by providing clean and safe water, land and air.