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OTTAWA -- Natural Resources Canada is gearing up to launch a nation-wide campaign to educate Canadians on the harmful effects of unnecessary idling. The Idle-Free Quiet Zone Campaign, now in its fourth year, will promote techniques to help reduce unnecessary idling in commercial vehicles.
The fourth-annual campaign will run from November 7, 2005, to February 19, 2006. The campaign was launched on Wednesday, November 9, at the Salisbury Big Stop in Salisbury, New Brunswick.
"Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing Canadians today and we all have an important role to play in finding the solution," said the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Natural Resources. "Through our promotion of idle-free zones, the Government of Canada is once again demonstrating its commitment to creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all Canadians."
The 15-week campaign will promote a wide range of techniques for commercial vehicle fleets, including the installation of separate cab heaters and air conditioners, engine timers that turn the engine off after the cool-down period and timing devices that turn engines on and off to maintain a pre-set temperature or battery charge.
Participating truck-stop owners will receive resource materials and promotional items about the campaign, including banners, placemats, table-top information cards and posters. They will also receive ballots for a number of draws for prizes from campaign sponsors.
"We know that excessive idling wastes an enormous amount of fuel and money and generates harmful greenhouse gas emissions. That's why we are strong supporters of programs such as FleetSmart and Smart Driver," said Mr. Jean St. Onge of Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. "As an industry, we strive to be good corporate citizens and look forward to helping make the Idle-Free Quiet Zone Campaign a great success."
Support for programs such as the Idle-Free Quiet Zone is part of Canada's plan to address climate change. These programs also support Project Green, the Government of Canada's national project to create a healthier environment and a stronger economy by combining the efforts of all Canadians to build a more sustainable future.
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FOR BROADCAST USE:
Starting today, truck stops across Canada will be selling more than strong coffee over the next 15 weeks. For the fourth year, truck drivers will receive information about the harmful effects of unnecessary idling of their engines. The campaign, run by Natural Resources Canada, kicked-off today at the Salisbury Big Stop in Salisbury, New Brunswick.
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For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-4447 Tom Ormsby
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007