Canadian Legislative Updates

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 Manitoba to Test New Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Residents of Manitoba will be among the first in the world to test Toyota’s new Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.  Announced by Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak, the province joined forces with Manitoba Hydro, the University of Manitoba and Toyota Canada to test out the new vehicle.

Minister Chomiak highlighted that by having electrically-powered vehicles, the province will become more fuel self-sufficient, while also creating opportunities for residents of Manitoba to develop expertise in researching and developing components for electric vehicles.

The test project will allow the province and its partners to better understand how electric vehicles work in the province’s climate and assess the impact it will have on the electric grid.  The vehicle will be driven by a number of different drivers through a range of different scenarios.  The data will be taken by logging devices installed by Toyota.

It is anticipated that the consumer version of the Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle will be available to the general public in 2012.

Manitoba Introduces Ban on Hand-Held Cellphone Use While Driving

As of July 15, 2010, the province of Manitoba has banned talking and texting on hand-held devices while driving, as well as smoking in vehicles with children present.  Announced by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton, the amendments to the Highway Traffic Act both carry a fine of $199.80.

The Minister highlighted that the government is committed to increasing safety on the roads and promoting healthier living for children.  RCMP Insp. Mark LeMaistre of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police mentioned that there is a direct connection between use of electronic devices and dangerous driving.

The new law allows for cellphone use while driving to make telephone calls only if the device is hands-free and is used in a hands-free manner. Drivers are also permitted to use a hand-held device in an emergency situation to call police, fire, or ambulance service.

Manitoba is the eighth province to have a law banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.  Manitoba joins British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  The province of Alberta has recently introduced such legislation.  Additionally, the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick also have laws prohibiting smoking in vehicles with children present.

British Columbia Introduces Green School Buses

Announced by provincial Minister of Education Margaret MacDiarmid, the province of British Columbia (B.C.) has invested in 106 new diesel school buses, which will benefit 31 school districts in the province.

The buses, which run on cleaner-burning diesel, will reduce exhaust particulate by 90 percent, compared to the previous 1994 standard. In addition, diesel buses also produce 30 to 60 percent better mileage than gasoline-fueled buses and provide longer service.

Minister MacDiarmid highlighted that the new buses have been built to meet the highest safety standards, all the while taking into account greener technology.  Minister of State for Climate Action John Yap added that the clean-burning buses will assist the province in reaching their goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent by the year 2020.

Saskatoon Transit Introduces New Buses

Through an investment as part of the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Capital Trust Fund, Saskatoon Transit has unveiled three new articulated buses.  Saskatoon is the first city in the province of Saskatchewan to roll out the buses.

Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt offered congratulations to Saskatoon Transit on behalf of the Government of Canada.  Trost added that through the addition of these buses to Saskatoon’s transit fleet, their hope is that more individuals will leave their cars at home and make use of the new transportation options.

Articulated buses are longer buses that are hinged in the middle.  These buses are able to carry more passengers while still being able to navigate city streets appropriately.  Each of the three new buses has seating for 60 passengers and standing room for approximately an additional 60 passengers. 

Through the Public Transit Capital Trust 2008 Fund, the Government of Canada contributed over $2 million toward the purchase of the new buses.

Alberta Unveils Public Transit Incentives Program

As part of Alberta’s ongoing commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the province has unveiled its $2 billion Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP).  Through GreenTRIP, $800 million in funding will be available to Alberta’s Capital region, $800 million will be available to Calgary and its surrounding area, and $400 million will be available to other municipalities throughout Alberta.

The program will provide a one-time funding opportunity that will support new and expanded public transit throughout the province.  Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach highlighted that GreenTRIP will provide Albertans with improved access to public transit, offering a wider range of public transit alternatives for travel, while helping to reduce Alberta’s carbon footprint with a reduced number of vehicles on the road.

GreenTRIP is a multi-year program, in which applicants are required to contribute at least one-third of the capital cost of a project, with GreenTRIP providing the balance.  The funding for the program will be allocated on a "paid on progress" basis.

The program is offered to owners/operators of public transit services.  Submissions for the funding must include a business case that outlines the sustainability of the project.  Capital funding assistance will be made available through GreenTRIP for public transit infrastructure and technology only, not operating funding for transit service.