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B.C. Air Quality

Clean Air Day in British Columbia


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Clean Air Day was on June 2, 2010.


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Clean Air Events in B.C.

Along with Clean Air Day on June 2, many communities took part in Bike to Work Week (May 31 to June 6). Some communities also got involved in the national Commuter Challenge (May 30 to June 5), while others ran smaller, local challenges. In addition, some communities celebrated Canadian Environment Week (May 30 to June 5). Click on these links to find out what happened this year:

National Clean Air Day Awards

The Clean Air Day Awards were established in 2006 by the Clean Air Day National Steering Committee to celebrate outstanding contributions to clean air issues in Canada. The City of Prince George won a Clean Air Day award for 2010. Below are the other B.C. winners.

  • City of Prince George, 2010: Outstanding Public Education and Outreach. This is to recognize Prince George's Clean Air Ambassador pilot project.
  • Dr. Jim McTaggart-Cowan, 2008: Outstanding Contribution by Initiating Clean Air Day. British Columbia. Dr. McTaggart-Cowan is the former director of the B.C. Ministry of Environment's (former) Air Resources Branch.
  • City of Kelowna, 2007: Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through Community Involvement. Kelowna has hosted a wide variety of clean air and environmental events.
  • Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2006: Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air through Community Engagement. Since 2001, the Resort Municipality of Whistler has promoted the use of sustainable transportation all year round.
  • City of Prince George, 2006: Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air by a Rural Community. In 2005, the City of Prince George committed to making its fleet idle free, and celebrated Clean Air Day by focusing on alternative transportation and the Commuter Challenge.

  • Vancity Credit Union, 2006: Outstanding Contribution to Clean Air by the Private Sector. Vancity has won in the largest category of the Commuter Challenge almost every year since 1995, with over 90% participation from its employees.

What's Happened this Year?

Campbell River

  • Bike to Work Week.

Cowichan Valley Regional District

  • The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), based out of Duncan, combined Clean Air Day, the Commuter Challenge and Bike to Work Week for its employees. 
  • On Clean Air Day, the regional district invited all commuters in the CVRD to use eco-friendly modes of transport.
  • Included in the fun were prize draws and a celebration/prize-giving event.
  • The CVRD challenged local districts and municipalities to partake in the Commuter Challenge, with a trophy going to the winner.

Grand Forks

  • A Clean Air Day event was held outside the Overwaitea Store, including information on air quality and health, Burn It Smart DVDs — not to mention Clean Air cake, frisbees and kites.

Greater Vancouver

  • A Clean Commuters Breakfast was held at the CBC Plaza, organized by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST).
  • Bike to Work Week and Bike to School Week coincided with the start of Bike Month. Workplaces, schools and individuals were invited to sign up at the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) website.
  • On Friday June 4, the VACC and the Bike-to-Work-and-School participants had a celebratory barbecue, along with the official opening of the Solar Bike Tree Public Art project. The event took place at Creekside Park beside Science World.
  • The AirCare program launched the Proper Tire Inflation Awareness Campaign on Clean Air Day. Motorists who visited an AirCare station received a tire gauge, with information on how proper tire pressure reduces emissions and increases fuel economy.
  • Envirotest Canada, AirCare's testing contractor, held its annual Commuter Challenge for employees at its head office, technical support centre and all 10 AirCare inspection centres. Every participating employee was entered into a draw for some great prizes, including a 21-speed bike.

Kelowna

  • Free transit on Clean Air Day.
  • Three "Breakfast Buses" served coffee and baked goods in the morning, at the Queensway Transit Exchange, Orchard Park Transit Exchange and the Stevens Transit Exchange. 
  • Clean Air Day was also celebrated as part of Kelowna's Commuter Challenge Week (May 31 to June 5).

Penticton

  • Bike to Work Week.

Prince George

Victoria

  • Bike to Work Week.
  • A Clean Air Day event was held at the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport/Ministry of Health Services building.

Williams Lake

  • Clean Air Week (May 31 to June 4) and the annual Commuter Challenge.
  • Free transit on Clean Air Day.


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