CAA Quebec Calls For Emissions Testing Program

CAA-Quebec is recommending that the government implement mandatory inspections for motor vehicles more than eight years old, because this would result in significantly fewer emissions being produced by Quebec’s automobiles.
As such, it supports the proposal presented
to the government by the table de concertation sur l’environnement et les vhicules routiers – the round table on the environment and road vehicles, of which CAA-Quebec is a member – to bring in legislation making such inspections
mandatory.
CAA-Quebec believes that mandatory inspections would afford the government an opportunity to make a tangible gesture in favour of the
environment.
It is important to note that a vehicle more than eight years old that has been properly maintained can release as little as half the amount of atmospheric pollutants (toxic gases and greenhouse gases) as a vehicle of the
same age that has not.
“This is borne out by a number of studies,” says Sophie Gagnon, CAA-Quebec’s senior director, public and government relations.
“Repairing an antipollution system, for example, contributes greatly to emissions reduction, all the while improving vehicle performance and fuel
economy.”
According to data collected by the round table, new vehicles contribute to less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, whereas all light-duty vehicles in the country make up 12.5% of these emissions.
“Statistics published by the SAAQ reveal that in 2005, more than 37% of vehicles registered in Quebec were eight or more years old,” Ms. Gagnon notes.
CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1904, provides automotive, travel, residential and financial services, benefits and
privileges to its 925,000 members.