No More Emissions Tests

Monday, 1 April 2019 07:20

Beginning today, drivers in Ontario will no longer have to undergo emissions tests for their cars.

OXFORD COUNTY - Vehicles in Ontario will no longer have to undergo emissions tests as of today.

The province made the announcement in a recent press release, stating the Drive Clean emissions tests will end on April 1st.

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says the decision to remove the program is great for the province.

"I think for a number of years it's been kind of a redundant program, such a very high percentage, almost perfect, passing grade for everybody that was going through it. So it was just an inconvenience you had to go through, knowing that it was just going to happen and then you come back home and it had no effect on anybody. I think it's a great move to get rid of that."

Although the Drive Clean program is ending, Hardeman adds it was an effective program when it started.

"I think it was good program when it started and obviously we had a lot of cars that weren't being kept in tune and that were putting out a lot more pollutants than was necessary, but we passed that now where our new model cars are much cleaner burning and they're almost all passing the grade. So, it was good to see it gone."

The release says more than 16% of passenger vehicles were flagged for repair annually, when the Drive Clean program was introduced in 1999.

The program was effective in reducing vehicle pollution when it first began, however auto industry standards have significantly improved since then.

Hardeman says the province will save $40,000,000 each and every year as a result, and it will prevent people in Oxford County from taking time out of their busy schedules.

"The government also recognizes that Ontario must continue to do our share to combat climate change. That’s why the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan picks up where Drive Clean left off by targeting heavy emitters and cracking down on the biggest polluters. The people of Oxford will no longer have to take time out of their busy schedules for Drive Clean tests and the province will save $40,000,000.00 each and every year. By targeting heavy polluters, our government also remains committed to balancing a healthy economy with a healthy environment, because Ontario deserves both."