Prince George, B.C. - The final report of the Mayor’s Task Force on Air Quality Improvement will be presented to Mayor and council on Monday January 21st.

The report incorporates the results of public and stakeholder consultations that took place following the release of the Task Force’s interim report in the fall of 2007 and includes recommendations on ways to improve air quality monitoring, practices, and research.

“Air quality is an issue that has been very challenging for our community.  I am glad to see the tremendous interest from the public in helping find lasting solutions to the issues,” says Mayor Colin Kinsley. “We recognize the significant effort that has gone into this report and will now begin to look at how we can best implement its recommendations.”

Many of the report’s key findings have been adjusted since the October 29^th, 2007 Interim Report to reflect the priorities of the residents of Prince George, and to help bring focus to the most critical air quality issues facing the City.  The greatest concern expressed was the need for stronger leadership at all three levels of government, with the City taking on an important role based on its status as public representative.

“While this was not a simple process, it has been gratifying to see the interest on the part of the public to not only provide input, but to become involved in fixing the problems with air quality in Prince George,” said Dr. Peter Jackson, Task Force Chair. “We hope this report will form the basis for change in our approach to dealing with air quality issues in Prince George.”

The Task Force Report’s proposed actions include:

·         changing the air quality management and administrative structure;

·         providing adequate funding to ensure the air quality management process moves forward;

·         increasing the amount of public disclosure and opportunities for public involvement;

·         setting aggressive, yet realistic targets for reduction of industrial emissions;

·         limiting new sources of pollutants within the Prince George airshed;

·         making improvements to the system of regulation and governance of air quality issues; and

·         increasing public education and community engagement on air quality issues.

Copies of the Final Report of the Mayor’s Task Force on Air Quality Improvement can be downloaded from http://www.city.pg.bc.ca/cityhall/committees/airquality or picked up at City Hall at 1100 Patricia Boulevard.