City council on Wednesday passed a bylaw limiting the amount of time drivers can idle their vehicles to three minutes or 10 in the case of extreme weather.
Previously, cars could idle for five minutes or as long as they please if the weather was above 27 degrees or below freezing.
Earlier this year, a city hall committee recommended putting in place a one minute idling maximum, with it increasing to three minutes in the case of extreme weather.
However, council on Wednesday backed a motion from Riverside South-Findlay Creek Ward Coun. Steve Desroches that would change the limits to three and 10 minutes, as well as declaring that “excessive enforcement” was not required.
It also called on bylaw officers to focus their attention on high-incidence zones.
“Overall, the power of this bylaw comes from educational components rather than a strict and aggressive bylaw enforcement,” Desroches told council. “This strikes a balance.”
The motion passed with six members voting against it.
Capital Ward Coun. Shawn Menard said bringing in the new bylaw, which will include the implementation of education materials along “high traffic corridors,” will cost around $6,000.
Councillors raised concerns surrounding exemptions from the rule, including for seniors who may rely on idling to “warm up” their vehicles during the winter, as well as for unsheltered individuals who require the heating or cooling of their vehicles more regularly. But they were reassured that bylaw officers will use discretion during enforcement.
There are some exemptions to the bylaw, including for mobile workshops where the vehicle requires power to operate work equipment, for people with medical requirements and for first responders who are in an emergency situation.
The vote on amending the bylaw itself passed 15-8.
