Some provinces, but not British Columbia, allow motorists to display their support for troops right on their vehicle identification.
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario all sell Support Our Troops license plates for commuter vehicles, with proceeds going to the Support Our Troops organization, the group behind the frequently seen yellow ribbon initiatives across Canada, and officially affiliated with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
A military member born and raised in Quesnel is now leading a campaign to get B.C. on board with the same initiative.
“Funds raised from these specialty plates support current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families,” said Eric Depenau, who is currently the manager of intergovernmental relations for the City of Prince George after previously being the chief administrative and corporate officer for the Village of Valemount, and the regional executive assistant for MP Todd Doherty, all stemming from his Master’s degree from UNBC in Political Science.
But Depenau is also a 10-year member and the commanding officer of the Rocky Mountain Rangers-Bravo Company, headquartered in Prince George.
“The license plate program has been very successful, raising millions of dollars in other provinces, to support members of the military and their families,” said Depenau. “The physical license plate also helps Canadians show support for their neighbours who have chosen to serve in the military.”
It isn’t a random mission Depenau has embarked on, with the waving of this yellow flag. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has launched a consultation survey to gauge support for changes to the commemorative license plate program. Presently, British Columbia drivers can invest in plates that pay into the BC Parks system. Veterans can purchase plates that provide them certain driving privileges. Personalized plates are also available. There are few other variations. Could the program be expanded?
“Both ICBC and government regularly get requests from people asking whether there are licence plate options beyond what we currently offer,” said David Wong, president and CEO of ICBC. “Hearing directly from British Columbians on this topic is an important first step on a longer journey toward a wider variety of licence plates on our roads. The possibility of expanding the program to include non-profit organizations and charities is being explored. Proceeds from these specialty plate purchases would be directed toward the sponsoring organization.”
Alberta’s version of the Support Our Troops license plate program has raised almost $2.5-million for the charity, so far, as an indication of what a province can do with this initiative.
“We see a lot of stories about the challenges being faced by the CAF,” said Depenau. “While the CAF works to address those challenges, asking the province of B.C. to participate in the license plate program feels like something tangible that we can do to support service members and give people a way of showing their support.”
Stepping up to help is fast and cost-free. All that Depenau is urging the public to do, presently, is take the ICBC survey and in it express your wish to see the Support Our Troops license plate program enacted here. A link to that survey is available on the ICBC website and in the online version of this story at the Quesnel Cariboo Observer’s website.
That survey process is open until Jan. 31.
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