Vehicle Scrappage Program
Older, high polluting vehicles accumulate considerable annual kilometers and are expected to be in operation on Canadian roads for a few more years. Voluntary accelerated on-road vehicle scrappage programs are designed to improve air quality and help reduce smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions by permanently removing older, high-emitting vehicles from our roads. These voluntary programs, supported by multiple partnerships, are developed and run by local organizations in communities across Canada.
On-road vehicles, contribute up to 35 per cent of the emissions that are involved in smog formation and 18.5 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 10 to 15 per cent of Canada’s fleet are older vehicles which generate up to 50 per cent of the smog-forming emissions.
Owners of pre-1994 model year vehicles who qualify can choose to scrap their vehicle in exchange for one of the incentives offered in their localities. They may include: transit pass, or rebate toward the purchase of a new or newer vehicle, or rebate toward the purchase of a new bicycle.
Vehicles retired through these programs are recycled according to provincial environmental guidelines. This includes draining the vehicle’s fluids, recycling the tires, mercury switches and batteries before the remaining vehicle is recycled for scrap metal. Many vehicles on the road today contain mercury switches in hood and trunk courtesy lighting systems. Mercury is toxic and can accumulate in the tissue of living organisms. One gram of mercury (about the amount in one vehicle switch) could contaminate 1,000,000 litres of water beyond Health Canada’s safe limit for drinking water (0.001 milligrams of mercury per litre). Through the switch recovery program, mercury switches will be removed prior to scrapping the vehicle. This will help prevent mercury from being released into our environment.
The Government of Canada is working in partnership with multi-stakeholders to improve air quality across the country. Our contribution will ensure that these programs will continue to be successes. Currently, Environment Canada is funding on-road vehicle scrappage programs in the following across Canada: Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Quebec City and in major centers in New Brunswick.
Environment Canada funding Vehicle Scrappage Programs
BC Scrap-It program in Vancouver
Cash for Klunkers in Kelowna
Car Heaven Alberta in Calgary and Edmonton
Bye Bye Beaters in Winnipeg
Faites de l’air! in Montreal and Québec City
