Government of Canada
September 19, 2003

SHERBROOKE TAKES ON THE
ANTI-IDLING CHALLENGE

SHERBROOKE — September 19, 2003 — “Stop Your Engines” is the message drivers will soon be hearing in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The Government of Canada, the Conseil régional de l’environnement de l’Estrie (CREE) and its partners, in conjunction with the City of Sherbrooke, today launched a campaign to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling in the city.

Natural Resources Canada is the major sponsor, having committed more than $100,000 to the Sherbrooke campaign. The campaign is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to meeting Canada’s climate change goals. The Government of Canada has committed more than $3.7 billion to climate change programs and to the development of leading-edge technologies, including $2 billion in Budget 2003 alone. This builds on $1.7 billion the Government of Canada has invested in climate change over the past five years. Other partners include the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec and the Fondation estrienne en environnement.

“Everything we do, large or small, to cut greenhouse gas emissions is an important part of the answer to climate change,” said the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. “Idle-free campaigns are helping municipalities and individual Canadians take action at the local level. The Office of Energy Efficiency within my department has worked in partnership with a number of cities across the country to launch similar campaigns, and I hope more communities will join this growing and successful initiative.”

On average, Canadians idle their cars five to ten minutes when starting their engines. Idling less reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and saves drivers fuel and money. The campaign encourages Sherbrooke drivers to adopt good driving habits and become more aware of their everyday actions that can affect the environment and their health.

“With the slogan ‘Don’t idle your engine unnecessarily,’ we intend to inform and raise awareness in the Sherbrooke area about the impacts of idling on the environment, our health and vehicle performance,” said Jean-Guy Dépôt, president of CREE.

The campaign includes a team of ambassadors who will address drivers at public events on the importance of changing driving habits and common misconceptions about idling. Idling awareness kits will be handed out to drivers, who will be encouraged to fill out pledge cards. Participants will be eligible to enter a draw for prizes worth a total of $5,000. The campaign’s objective is to sign up 10,000 drivers as a step toward reducing the amount of vehicle idling in the Sherbrooke area.

CREE is a non-profit organization representing environmental groups, public and private organizations, businesses, associations and individuals that are interested in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the Estrie. CREE encourages member organizations to work together toward developing solutions to local problems. NRCan is the Government of Canada department specializing in the sustainable development and use of natural resources.

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