Noise cameras could bring some peace and quiet to Port Moody, council says

Port Moody’s city council wants quieter streets in the future.

Council passed a motion Tuesday to bring a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), calling for a province-wide pilot on the use of noise cameras to monitor vehicles’ sound levels. Similar to red light cameras, the noise cameras would zero in the loudest vehicles on the road.

Coun. Diana Dilworth, one of the councillors who brought forward the motion, said there have been a number of noise complaints recently.

“I think everyone’s noticed it’s motorcycle season. And if you’re anywhere along Ioco Road or Guilford or Murray you will see that those passionate motorcycle riders are out,” she said.

While they’re not used in B.C., other jurisdictions have experimented with noise cameras, Dilworth said. The provincial government could eventually amend its legislation to allow noise cameras to be used as an enforcement tool.

“Right now the stumbling block for us to do it as an enforcement tool is provincial regulations,” said Coun. Samantha Agtarap.

Under current regulations, the city could monitor noise levels but isn’t able to issue fines.

“As we grow as a city, as our region grows, we need to ensure that everybody has the same access to peace and quiet, especially as we build more housing around busier areas,” Agtarap said.

Noise pollution can affect public health especially for people who live near busy streets, according to the council agenda.

All councillors voted in favour of bringing the issue to the 2024 UBCM convention.

Scheduled for September, the convention offers a chance for local governments to band together over common issues to persuade senior levels of government. In 2023, mayors and councillors from across the province voted on 205 resolutions. More than 180 resolutions were endorsed.