(Quebec) The Parti Québécois (PQ) wants to limit or even ban advertising on gas-guzzling vehicles, such as Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
He will table an amendment to Bill 102, which is currently being studied, to regulate advertising of vehicles that consume a lot of gasoline. He drew a parallel with the regulation and ban on tobacco advertising.
The PQ member Sylvain Gaudreault, who announced this amendment on Wednesday, notably mentioned the spectacular advertisements of vans such as the Ford F-150 or sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
PHOTO PAUL CHIASSON, ARCHIVES THE CANADIAN PRESS
PQ member Sylvain Gaudreault
He even mentioned limiting “the promotion and advertising” of gasoline vehicles, more broadly.
“Is banning advertising (on gas guzzling vehicles) the best way to fight climate change?” asked Mr. Gaudreault in parliamentary committee. No, but it sends a signal. ”
The proposal of the PQ environment spokesperson goes in the same direction as what the environmental organization Équiterre suggests in particular, which was in parliamentary committee on Wednesday.
The PQ spokesperson recalled that the advertisements associate the product with a lifestyle, as in the tobacco industry at one time, even though smoking was associated with cancer.
“I see advertisements of F-150s going through muddy areas, mountains, but nobody ever does that, except very rarely, for some workers. It’s like Papa Smurf who takes his community of Smurfs up the mountain, but never gets there, except with the F-150, we would. ”
Mr. Gaudreault let it be known that he wanted to work on the wording of the upcoming amendment with Équiterre.
Representatives of this environmental organization recalled that they had tabled a report in October to reverse the upward trend in the number of SUVs on the roads in Quebec.
Quebec is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37.5% in 2030 compared to the 1990 level. However, between 1990 and 2018, GHG emissions from light trucks increased by 161 %, while those of cars decreased by 9%, we note in the report.
Équiterre is therefore calling for measures to reduce the supply of large vehicles. He asks to control advertising on vehicles.
For example, it is suggested that the display of gasoline consumption and pollutant emissions be made mandatory. We would also like to limit representations of nature and environmental values.
The organization is also indirectly calling for an increase in fuel prices, under the carbon pricing mechanism in place in Quebec.