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The city has lowered the allowable idling time for vehicles from three minutes to one, and anything over can get you a $125 ticket.

“I think health should win out over convenience,” Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, told councillors yesterday, before they voted 24 to 13 in favour of toughening up the bylaw he said had been difficult to enforce.

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“There is no reason why an engine is left running for three minutes. Better to turn it off more quickly if it’s doing harm to health and the environment as we believe,” Dr. McKeown said.

He said last night’s decision is an easy victory for officials who are trying to get people to use bicycles and public transit more, and cars less.

Proponents of the new measures said the impact will only be felt if the province gives parking enforcement officers the ability to issue tickets. Last year, bylaw officers issued 88 tickets and seven summons for idling infractions. An exemption for TTC buses was dropped, after Councillor Howard Moscoe (Eglinton-Lawrence) argued there is “no reason” why drivers can’t turn off while idling.