National

Leaf blowers, gas tools axed in Oak Bay, B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 May, 2022 04:26 PM

OAK BAY, B.C. - Gas-powered leaf blowers and other landscaping tools fuelled by gas will soon be banned in the Vancouver Island District of Oak Bay.

Councillors have voted unanimously in favour of a ban on the noisy, fume-producing tools, including chainsaws and lawn mowers.

Users, from homeowners to professional landscaping companies, will have three years to phase out gas-powered items.

Staff must submit a report to council within the next month providing recommendations for a new bylaw and proposals for education and enforcement.

Gas-powered leaf blowers have been banned in parts of Vancouver's West End for more than 20 years and council passed a motion in January to phase out all gas-powered landscaping tools by 2024.

The District of Saanich also flirted with a ban on leaf blowers last year but the motion failed and the issued was referred to committee for further work.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. braces for more rain, snow and strong winds

Winter storm, snowfall and wind warnings are in effect across coastal and southern British Columbia, including areas affected by flooding last month. Environment Canada says rain in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley would intensify Friday night before easing, with up to 60 millimetres expected along with strong winds.

B.C. braces for more rain, snow and strong winds

B.C. dairy farmers face uncertain future: industry

As farmers clean up after a series of storms hit southern British Columbia, an industry official and operator say some will be forced to leave the industry as costs pile up. A series of "atmospheric rivers" in mid-November forced thousands from their homes and left at least four people dead.

B.C. dairy farmers face uncertain future: industry

October deadliest month for overdose deaths

The 1,782 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths between January and October 2021 are the highest ever recorded in a calendar year, and the number of deaths in October equates to about 6.5 lives lost per day.

October deadliest month for overdose deaths

341 COVID19 cases for Thursday

There are currently 2,915 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 216,185 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 220 individuals are currently in hospital and 73 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

341 COVID19 cases for Thursday

Drunk driver crashes into parked vehicles and fire hydrant, Burnaby RCMP release frightening video

The video shows the driver crossing the centre line towards oncoming traffic multiple times, narrowly missing other vehicles. The video also shows the driver blowing through a stop sign and driving through a red light.

Drunk driver crashes into parked vehicles and fire hydrant, Burnaby RCMP release frightening video

Freeland urges MPs to quickly pass aid bill

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the need for MPs to approve a new round of pandemic aid has become more important amid fears related to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Speaking to the House of Commons finance committee, Freeland says the variant has injected renewed uncertainty into the economy, in arguing for the government's latest benefits package.