Drive-thru moratorium pitched as way to reduce P.E.I. emissions

The Official Opposition on P.E.I. is looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, one double-double at a time. 

Opposition Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker wants to put a moratorium on new drive-thru restaurant windows as a way to cut vehicle idling in the province. 

"I hope that we will consider the climate emergency to be more important than the convenience of having to walk ten feet to it, to a restaurant, to get whatever you wish," said Bevan-Baker. 

He also said drive-thrus tend to be associated with larger chain restaurants, so this would encourage support for local small restaurants. 

Bevan-Baker said close to half of the Island's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.

 "It's low-hanging fruit in order for Prince Edward Island to make its contribution to the stable climate for future generations, that's really the driving force behind this," he said. 

Environment Minister Steven Myers said he thinks the province can cut emissions in other ways and that this move isn't the way to go.

"I wouldn't discount idling as a contributor to our carbon emissions, for sure, but I'm not sure that is the right start," Myers said. 

Myers said the province plans to lower transportation emissions with projects that include more rural transportation initiatives, more electric school buses and the existing rebate program for electric vehicles.

"I don't believe our transition to a cleaner economy should be done in a punitive way," he said. "I would be a little concerned with that side of it."

He also said during COVID, drive-thrus help reduce contacts for people. 

"The measures we are going to take are going to get us there," he said. "I am all for coming up with ways to help reduce idling."  

Bevan-Baker said this idea would only apply to new restaurants, not existing ones. Any idling rules would also include exemptions for emergency vehicles.  

He also thinks it would solve another problem.