Oak Bay votes to ban gas-powered landscaping gear
In a move to combat noise pollution and greenhouse gasses, the District of Oak Bay is banning all gas-powered landscaping equipment.
After years of debate, councilors voted unanimously in favour of the ban, which applies to leaf blowers, lawnmowers, chainsaws and other gas-powered garden tools.
Landscaping companies and residential users will have three years to phase out their gas-powered gear.
"Most of these are small engines, or two-stroke or modified two-stroke, and so they put pout a lot of fumes," said Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.
"Those include a ton of carcinogenic, unburned fuel, out into the environment again, so it’s just generally bad stuff."
Chris Ruggles, owner of A Cut Above Landscaping, started using an electric leaf blower a couple years ago. He says batteries are expensive and don't last as long as he would like, but he still supports the move.
"I like electric everything because you can just put it anywhere and you don’t have to worry about oil changes or mechanicals about it. Also, you don’t hear as much. It’s like, three times less noise, and you don't have gas blowing in your face the whole time," said Ruggles.
"All around it’s just a better way of doing things."
Oak Bay's mayor acknowledges there are challenges with battery power and cost, but he says councilors voted on a three-year phase out period with hopes that the technology will catch up with demand.
In the fall, when leaves are really heavy and wet and you need to run on things for seven or eight hours a day, the battery technology, the engine technology isn't quite there yet, but it's coming very quickly," said Murdoch.
"This time frame allows for the phase-in of those, mostly for the commercial use."
A report from municipal staff to council is expected in the coming month. It will outline details and recommendations for the new bylaw, and plans for education and enforcement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.