Committee OK's Winnipeg garbage cart replacement pilot project
New program would see city pay to replace damaged, vandalized garbage and recycling carts
After a industry committee meeting Friday the city has voted to adopt a policy that will mean Winnipeg homeowners may no longer need to foot the bill to replace damaged garbage and recycling carts.
The city released a statement Monday saying it would be considering a garbage and recycling cart replacement plan that would relieve the burden placed on homeowners to pay for new bins that are damaged or vandalized through no fault of their own.
The previous city bylaws held owners accountable for replacing carts if anyone besides the waste contractor, Emterra, damaged them.
On Friday, the city's public works committee voted in favour of paying for carts damaged by a third party.
Councillor Janice Lukes, who heads up the committee, said the deal seems fair, but the city is going to keep a close eye on costs.
"We're going to look back within a year's time and that's really important that we look back on it," said Lukes, adding other communities around Manitoba do pay for damaged carts.
One of the voices leading the charge on the garbage cart replacement front, Coun. Ross Eadie said Monday the city’s bylaws often wrongfully penalize the majority of homeowners who have had their bins destroyed by vandals.
“Why are we charging the victims of crime to pay for something that they never caused in the first place?” Eadie said Monday. “You can be a cynic all you want. Let's be fair. Homeowners aren't setting their carts on fire."
On Friday, Eadie advocated for even more leeway for homeowners, arguing the program should also cover lost or stolen carts.
The plan still has to be approved by the city's Executive Policy Committee and the full city council.
City staff said Friday the pilot project could end up costing around $200,000 a year.