Pumping gas in Port Moody could soon come with a warning, similar to the ones that greet smokers on a package of cigarettes.
The gas pump warning labels are being promoted by an organization called New Horizon, which aims to get the labels on pump handles to remind drivers about the harmful effects of fossil fuels on the environment. Our Horizon presented the idea to PoMo in July and, last month, council decided to hold off on supporting the labels until the city could obtain a legal opinion.
And although the legal opinion suggested requiring Port Moody gas stations to use the labels would not likely withstand a court challenge, council voted in favour of a motion from Coun. Zoe Royer to pursue the program anyway.
Royer's motion noted that "combustion of petroleum products such as gas and diesel fuel used in vehicles contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that affect the natural system in ways that are injurious to human health and to the natural environment upon which we all depend for food and life," and that rising sea levels will cause harm to coastal communities.
Gas stations in Port Moody would be required to provide the warning labels, at their expense, on gas pump handles and would be tied to annual business licence renewal.
The motion also asks that staff report back on an implementation program to have the labels in place within six months.
Reaction to the motion was mixed.
Coun. Diana Dilworth voted against it, saying taxpayer dollars shouldn't be used to put the city through a legal challenge for the labels and said it is ill-advised to require the local business community to affix signs on their products saying, "We're bad, don't buy us."
But Coun. Rick Glumac said he wants to move forward on the "cutting edge" proposal as a way of getting people talking about climate change, and Royer noted several B.C. cities and others across the country have passed similar resolutions or are in the process of doing so.
Mayor Mike Clay didn't mince words in giving his opinion on the matter, however, noting the issue is outside of the city's jurisdiction.
"Aspartame is bad for you, fatty foods are bad for you, processed meat is bad for you, too much wine is bad for you — let's go sticker the whole city up," he said. "If you want to do something about climate change, get more people on buses and transit… get some more funding for TransLink, get more transit to the area, get SkyTrain out to the [Fraser] Valley.
"This is such a colossal waste of everybody's resources to put a sticker on gas pump handles. I'm voting against it because I think it's ridiculous."
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
