Politicians go green for a week

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Coun. John Orlikow bikes to city hall, one of several green options in his commute. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Thousands of Manitobans left their cars at home for last week's Commuter Challenge, including one mayor and six councillors and cabinet ministers.

But what about the other 51 weeks of the year?

On the heels of the weeklong commuting event, the Free Press polled every city council member and provincial cabinet minister about their commutes: what they drive, how they get to work and how often they use sustainable transportation.

The results include half a dozen hybrid vehicles, one car-less councillor, and commuting habits that sustainability experts say aren't surprising, but could be improved.

A third of cabinet ministers drive hybrids, but another mostly rural group prefers trucks and sport utility vehicles. City council has fewer efficiency all-stars, but more middle-of-the-road rides.

Some politicians carpool, walk, cycle or take the bus on occasion, and a few do so often. But many said going car-free isn't an option for politicians in far-flung areas.

"Anybody that would be thinking clearly would understand very quickly that nobody representing that ward can travel it by bus and do it justice," said Coun. Bill Clement of his Charleswood ward.

It's true that politicians don't have regular 9-to-5 jobs, but it's still worth trying to cut down on driving time when possible, said Resource Conservation Manitoba executive director Randall McQuaker.

"Are there some days when you're mostly in the office, so you could choose an environmentally friendly mode that day?"

Ministers Greg Selinger, Jim Rondeau and Rosann Wowchuk took part in the Commuter Challenge, along with Mayor Sam Katz and Couns. Harvey Smith, Jenny Gerbasi and John Orlikow. The city also organizes Bike to Work Day on June 19.

Those numbers might not seem high, but McQuaker said three ministers are nearly 18 per cent of cabinet, higher than the 2008 overall participation rate for provincial employees.

"It does tell us that they're taking it seriously at the senior levels," he said.

To be fair, some politicians were out of the province last week, and others are in rural ridings. Many said even if they drive solo to work, they walk or carpool to meetings nearby. And others plan to get more efficient vehicles down the road.

CABINET:

Six out of the 17 cabinet ministers drive hybrids, and that number is likely to go up. A government rule introduced last year means all ministers driving fleet vehicles have to use hybrids for new leases, although they can drive their own vehicles and get a mileage allowance.

Two ministers have their own cars. The rest are on government leases and some haven't run out yet, hence the non-hybrids.

The hybrid ranks include the Ford Escape SUVs driven by Premier Gary Doer and ministers Theresa Oswald, Kerri Irvin-Ross and Andrew Swan.

Rondeau's Honda Fit is a high performer, and this month he might have the greenest car on the road. Rondeau is trial-testing a souped-up Toyota Prius hybrid electric model that runs mostly on battery power.

But the lowest-emitting cars year-round appear to be the Honda Civic hybrids driven by Selinger and Minister Stan Struthers, based on calculations from Natural Resources Canada's Fuel Consumption Guide.

On the other end of the spectrum are the SUVs driven by Wowchuk and Minister Peter Bjornson, and the pickup trucks driven by ministers Ron Lemieux and Eric Robinson.

They're among the thirstiest vehicles on the roster, especially Wowchuk's Dodge Durango. But most are capable of running on ethanol-based E85 fuel and ministers in northern ridings exempt from the hybrid rule must drive those vehicles.

Wowchuk said she wound up with the government SUV after problems with her earlier vehicle, a hybrid. She said she wasn't comfortable driving alone in a smaller vehicle in rural areas, often on unpaved roads.

"It's what was in the pool when I needed a new vehicle," said Wowchuk, who walked to work last week for the Commuter Challenge. "I took it and when it's time to change vehicles, then certainly I'll be working with (the) fleet to get one that's more efficient."

The greenest commuters are Selinger and Minister Steve Ashton. Both drive hybrids, but Ashton said he walks to work most days, and Selinger said he usually walks or cycles from his home in St. Boniface.

Selinger said he benefits from a central location with good infrastructure, and the fact that his kids are older.

"It really depends on people's individual circumstances," he said.

COUNCIL:

There's not a hybrid to be seen on city council, though to be fair, there is no official mandate nor fleet cars.

Coun. Mike Pagtakhan might have the greenest car on council, a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI that he said he ditches in favour of cycling a couple of times a week.

Coun. Lillian Thomas's Chevy Suburban and Coun. Dan Vandal's Jeep Grand Cherokee are among the most gas-thirsty of the bunch. A spokesman for Thomas said she carpools often, and Vandal said he walks to work around twice a week.

Coun. Harvey Smith has no car to speak of -- he said he takes the bus in summer and cabs for longer trips or in poor weather.

And Coun. John Orlikow also gets green points on the commuting roster. He said he leaves his 11-year-old Mazda Protégé at home and walks, Rollerblades, cycles or takes a bus to work two or three days a week.

lindsey.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

Ranking their rides: Who's green and who's not

Greenest rides:

Ministers Greg Selinger and Stan Struthers drive Honda Civic hybrids; Coun. Mike Pagtakhan drives a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Gas-guzzling rides:

Coun. Lillian Thomas's Chevy Suburban; Minister Rosann Wowchuk's Dodge Durango.

Most rides:

Coun. Bill Clement alternates between a Buick Rendezvous, a Honda Civic and company vehicles for his pool company.

Ditching the ride:

Minister Steve Ashton walks to work most days, Selinger walks or cycles, and Coun. John Orlikow does either of the above, plus busing or Rollerblading. Coun. Harvey Smith takes taxis or the bus.

Premier's ride:

Gary Doer gets around in a Ford Escape hybrid.

Mayor's ride:

Sam Katz drives a Nissan Quest.

Oldest ride:

Coun. Justin Swandel's 1987 Porsche 924.

"ö Want to rank your ride? Visit oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/tools/fuel-consumption-guide/

The commuting habits of Manitoba’s cabinet ministers and Winnipeg’s city councillors

PROVINCIAL CABINET:

Premier Gary Doer:
His riding: Concordia
His ride: 2008 Ford Escape hybrid
His commute: Drives, carpools frequently

Nancy Allen, Minister of Labour and Immigration:
Her riding: St. Vital
Her ride: 2008 Volkswagen Passat
Her commute: Drives, carpools twice a week

Steve Ashton, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs:
His riding: Thompson
His ride: 2007 Ford Escape hybrid
His commute: Walks most days

Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth:
His riding: Gimli
His ride: 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
His commute: Drives

Dave Chomiak, Minister of Justice and Attorney General:
His riding: Kildonan
His ride: 2005 Ford Freestyle
His commute: Drives

Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Healthy Living:
Her riding: Fort Garry
Her ride: Ford Escape hybrid*
Her commute: Drives, carpools frequently

Ron Lemieux, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation:
His riding: La Verendrye
His ride: Ford F150*
His commute: Drives

Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and Housing:
His riding: St. Johns
His ride: 2004 Ford Freestar
His commute: Drives; carpools or buses twice a week

Diane McGifford, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy:
Her riding: Lord Roberts
Her ride: 2008 Toyota Camry
Her commute: Drives; cycles occasionally

Christine Melnick, Minister of Water Stewardship:
Her riding: Riel
Her ride: 2005 Chevy Cobalt
Her commute: Drives

Theresa Oswald, Minister of Health:
Her riding: Seine River
Her ride: Ford Escape hybrid*
Her commute: Drives

Eric Robinson, Minister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport:
His riding: Rupertsland
His ride: 2005 Dodge Dakota
His commute: Drives

Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines:
His riding: Assiniboia
His ride: 2009 Honda Fit
His commute: Drives; cycles once a week

Greg Selinger, Minister of Finance:
His riding: St. Boniface
His ride: 2004 Honda Civic hybrid
His commute: Walks or cycles most days

Andrew Swan, Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade:
His riding: Minto
His ride: 2007 Ford Escape hybrid
His commute: Drives

Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation:
His riding: Dauphin-Roblin
His ride: 2008 Honda Civic hybrid
His commute: Drives; buses occasionally

Rosann Wowchuk, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives:
Her riding: Swan River
Her ride: 2007 Dodge Durango
Her commute: Drives

CITY COUNCIL:

Mayor Sam Katz:
His ride: 2007 Nissan Quest
His commute: Drives, carpools around twice a week; bikes or runs occasionally

Jeff Browaty, North Kildonan:
His ride: 2007 Nissan Altima
His commute: Drives

Bill Clement, Charleswood:
His ride: 2002 Buick Rendezvous, company vehicles or 2007 Honda Civic
His commute: Drives

Scott Fielding, St. James:
His ride: 2008 Jeep Compass
His commute: Drives

Jenny Gerbasi, Fort Rouge:
Her ride: 2007 Dodge Caliber
Her commute: Drives; takes bus every week or two

Harry Lazarenko, Mynarski:
His ride: 2008 Chevy Impala
His commute: Drives

Grant Nordman, St. Charles:
His ride: 2008 Chrysler Sebring
His commute: Drives

John Orlikow, River Heights-Fort Garry:
His ride: 1998 Mazda Protege
His commute: Cycles, rollerblades, takes bus, or walks two or three times a week; drives otherwise and carpools half the time

Mike O’Shaughnessy, Old Kildonan:
His ride: 2008 Kia Amanti
His commute: Drives; carpools occasionally

Mike Pagtakhan, Point Douglas:
His ride: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
His commute: Drives; cycles once or twice a week

Harvey Smith, Daniel McIntyre:
His ride: Taxi or transit
His commute: Rides the bus or takes a cab

Gord Steeves, St. Vital:
His ride: 2004 Buick LeSabre
His commute: Drives; buses occasionally

Justin Swandel, St. Norbert:
His ride: 1987 Porsche 924 in summer, 2003 Audi TT in winter
His commute: Drives

Lillian Thomas, Elmwood:
Her ride: Chevy Suburban
Her commute: Drives; carpools two or three times a week

Dan Vandal, St. Boniface:
His ride: 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
His commute: Drives; walks twice a week

Russ Wyatt, Transcona:
His ride: 2007 Toyota Camry
His commute: Drives

*Years of vehicles not provided.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 8, 2009 B1