Islanders are being reminded that littering is a crime, a message which will be driven home during a litter enforcement blitz across Prince Edward Island September 18-22.
A number of municipal police forces, the RCMP and provincial enforcement officers are participating in the blitz, designed to promote the fact that littering is not only unacceptable social behaviour, but illegal as well.
“While the vast majority of Islanders recognize that littering is wrong, and would never do so themselves, there are still those who ignore the law and litter,” said Premier Pat Binns. “This enforcement blitz is a reminder to those people that there are consequences for littering. There are no fewer than seven provincial acts under which they can be charged.”
Premier Binns said Prince Edward Island continues to be recognized as a very clean province, and Islanders take considerable pride in its natural beauty. He commended the PEI Litter Awareness Committee for promoting the idea of a litter enforcement blitz.
“Enforcement is a key component of any campaign such as this, and that is why I am so pleased that police agencies throughout the province are undertaking this initiative,” the Premier added.
In addition to the offence of throwing garbage from a vehicle, other littering offences include not properly securing a load, littering while fishing, littering on the Confederation Trail and leaving litter on a trespassed property. Several Island municipalities also have anti-litter bylaws in place. In addition to fines ranging from a minimum $200 to a maximum $1,000, some littering offences carry other penalties including the loss of points on a driver’s licence and a one-year suspension of a fishing licence.
Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Jamie Ballem said provincial enforcement officers have issued several warnings and charges for littering in recent months. In one instance, the passenger of a vehicle was fined $200 after throwing a beer bottle out the window at a sign. In another case, a man dumped a chair in a gravel pit. He was given a warning after complying with an order to remove and properly dispose of the litter.
Minister Ballem said enforcement is an important part of efforts to help curb littering.
“Of course, we would prefer that an enforcement blitz such as this not be necessary, but unfortunately, this is not the case.”
The Minister pointed with concern to the findings of the Roadside Litter Survey Report – 2005, which indicated that 1.5 pieces of litter were found for every metre of Prince Edward Island roadway.
“We sometimes take for granted the work of the Women’s Institute and their roadside cleanup, as well as those who participate in the Adopt-A-Highway Program. If not for them, the picture would be much worse,” Minister Ballem said. “We must promote individual responsibility. The only way to do that is through increased enforcement and education.”
Minister Ballem said law enforcement agencies have been provided with kits that include facts on the various litter offences and penalties, as well as the environmental impacts of littering and car litter bags.
A joint effort of provincial government agencies, private sector organizations and other interested groups, the Prince Edward Island Litter Awareness Committee encourages Islanders and visitors to “Keep the Island clean. Put litter in its place.” It focuses on three key areas: public awareness, community involvement and enhanced enforcement. The committee has a variety of materials on litter prevention, all of which are available to the general public. For further information on litter prevention, or to report an incident of littering, call the litter hotline at 1-866-368-5024.