Dateline: 06/08/08
The Canadian federal government is putting $92 million towards a national car scrapping program to get older model personal vehicles off the road. About five million personal cars and trucks still on the road were manufactured before 1996 when more environmentally conscious standards were introduced. According to Environment Canada, these pre-1996 models produce about 19 times more air pollutants than newer cars and trucks.
Incentives for National Car Scrapping Program
The national car scrapping program will offer incentives to owners of pre-1996 vehicles to scrap their cars and choose more environmentally friendly forms of transportation. Incentives will include:
- a public transit pass
- a bicycle
- membership in a car-sharing program
- $300 cash .
Incentives may also include rebates on the purchase of a newer car, although federal government funding won't be used for this part of the program. Rather, manufacturers and dealers will be encouraged to become partners in the program.
Eligibility for National Car Scrapping Program
To be eligible for the National Car Scrapping Program incentives, the personal vehicle (car, pick-up truck, minivan, or sport-utility vehicle) must be a 1995 or earlier model, must be in running condition, and must have been registered and insured by the current owner for at least the previous six months. Owners of vehicles not eligible for incentive rewards may receive a tax credit for the value of the scrap metal.
Operation of National Car Scrapping Program
The national car scrapping program will be run by the Clean Air Foundation - a national not-for-profit organization that operates the Car Heaven program.
The new national car scrapping program is expected to be fully operational by January 2009.
Until then, the federal government will provide $3.4 million funding to local vehicle scrappage programs across the country, including
- BC Scrap-It program (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Cash for Clunkers (Kelowna, British Columbia)
- Car Heaven Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Alberta)
- Bye Bye Beaters (Winnipeg, Brandon, Manitoba)
- Faites de l'air!, Québec (Quebec areas served by public transit)
- New Brunswick Vehicle Scrappage (Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, New Brunswick)
- Nova Scotia Steer Clean (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
