Halton Partners for Clean Air
In the Spring of 1999, a regional committee was formed to consider what joint actions might be taken to address the growing concerns regarding the health and environmental impacts of smog. The committee was represented by 12 members from the Region, the four area municipalities, the four hydro commissions, the local school boards, and Conservation Halton.
In February 2000, Burlington adopted the Halton Public Sector Smog Response Plan. A City working group was formed to oversee the implementation of the smog response plan. The City's Air Quality Initiatives Team meets on an as needed basis to monitor the success of the smog response initiatives and to discuss any changes that need to be made.
In 2003, the partners realized that in order for the partnership to continue its influence, leadership needed to be broadened beyond the public sector to include the private and community sectors too. Membership expansion was approved in 2004.
In 2006 members of the public sector committee revised the Smog Response Plan. The original plan was reactionary in that it only came into effect when air quality was rated “poor.” The new Clean Air Plan was finalized in April 2006 and adopted by Burlington City Council in June 2006 (CORPSERV 5-06). The new plan offers not only tips to react to smog days but also tips that can be followed year round to minimize one’s impact on air quality.
Resources produced by the committee include:
- Smog Response Plan
- a 3-panel brochure to communicate smog issues with three inserts addressing anti-idling/vehicle, pesticides/healthy landscapes, and energy messages.
- stickers with different messaging including "turn your computer off," "turn the lights off," "refuel before 9 or after 3," and "turn your engine off."
- "Air Quality and Your Child's Health" brochure
- Clean Air Plan
For more information about Halton Partners for Clean Air, please contact Beckie Jas, Environmental Health Specialist, Region of Halton 905-825-6000 x7678. (Top)
