A proposed province-wide recycling program continues to leave councillors with more questions than answers.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
September 17, 2013 - 3:21 PM
KAMLOOPS – Concern over the Multi Material B.C. Stewardship program grows as the Thompson Nicola Regional District rejected the province-wide program late last week and local governments are set to voice disapproval at the UBCM conference this week.
Last week Kamloops City Council voiced concern over the lack of details and short timelines given by the program administrators and as a result decided to opt out of the program, which would have had the city acting as a contractor. A couple of days later the regional district took the same path, also opting out.
The two groups are not the only ones to voice displeasure over the recycling program and this week members of the Union of B.C. Municipalities are scheduled to discuss a special resolution put forth by the union executive.
The resolution asks for an additional 90 days to properly clarify and consider the plan and for the plan to be revised to address local government concerns, from implementation to continuity of service. Key concerns for members include the 'insufficient financial incentive', proposed penalties and lack of information around service providers and standards for depots.
The program is set to roll out May 19, 2014 and a Sept. 16 deadline was given for municipalities wishing to participate in the plan. Program administrators had previously implied the deadline was absolute and those not signing the contract prior to that would be left out of any financial incentives. On Friday this was amended to allow councils a further 90 days to decide whether they would like to participate.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013