Anti-idling bylaw takes effect in Canmore

The Town of Canmore introduced a new bylaw this week that prohibits idling for more than five minutes.

Mayor John Borrowman says he knows it's going to be difficult to enforce but it's worth it if it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Canmore has a very well-informed and concerted effort underway to reach certain environmental goals and one of those is reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the townsite, and clearly idling vehicles is a contributor,"said Borrowman.

A ticket for idlingwould cost violators $90, or $45 ifpaid within seven days.

Feedback gathered

Council spent several months getting community feedback. According to Borrowman, 80per cent of respondents showed support for an anti-idling bylaw.

I think its good.I mean people come here for the mountain air, right, so you dont want to be smelling car fumes all day, said resident Jamie Robins.

Borrowman said the goal of the new bylaw is really about education.

Bylaw is not going to go out and start slamming tickets on vehicles every time they see someone going over the five minute rule, said Borrowman. But it gives them an opportunity to beef up the educational component.

Borrowman says emergency vehicles, taxisand refrigerated trucks are exempt from the new bylaw.