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Truck parade greened up in Oak Bay

Carbon offsets purchase by Business Improvement Association aims to make a difference

Anyone who is climate conscious may feel a little more comfortable watching the annual Truck Light Parade roll through Oak Bay this weekend.

Aware of the growing concern over the amount of vehicle exhaust sent into the atmosphere, the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association took matters into its own hands last year. With the help of a environmental consultant, the association purchased carbon offsets to help mitigate the impact of the truck parade.

It has done so again to cover off the effects of Saturday's (Dec. 3) parade.

“People generally are conscious of the fact that we are in a situation where we need to be watching these things,” said association president Liz Smith. “We are trying to make it carbon-neutral. We really try and work with a green mandate in anything that involves us as a group.”

She wasn’t sure of the exact cost of the offsets, but noted, “It’s really not that much.” She added that Oak Bay is lucky to have the parade roll through the municipality and help generate donations of non-perishable items for the Mustard Seed food bank.

The parade is due to arrive in Oak Bay Village at 6:30 p.m. and spectators are encouraged to get there early to gain a good viewing point. Approximate times for other locations on the parade route can be found by visiting www.ieoa.ca.

Food collection bins will be set up across the street from the municipal hall on Oak Bay Avenue, and at the intersection of Foul Bay Road and Oak Bay Avenue. Cash donations will also be accepted at both sites, with Mustard Seed representatives on hand (on the municipal hall lawn) to issue tax receipts, where applicable.

editor@oakbaynews.com