Montreal borough starts cloth diaper subsidy

Montreal's Verdun borough has announced a cloth diaper program to help out new families.

The program, which the borough council adopted Tuesday night, makes parents with babies under six months old eligible for a $100 subsidy if they buy a washable diaper kit.

The initiative is the first of its kind in Montreal, although a similar initiative was adopted last April in the off-island suburb of Vaudreuil-Dorion.

The borough said it will spend $24,000 on the new diaper program, which it hopes will encourage families to have more babies and be more environmentally friendly.

About five per cent of the population in Montreal use washable diaper kits, which cost between $200 and $400.

"We're hoping to keep as many families as possible in the city of Montreal, in the borough of Verdun. And we're hoping to bring back some families," said Verdun Coun. Alain Tassé.

The borough says the idea started last year when a woman called asking about subsidies for using cloth diapers. To receive the subsidy, parents will need to fill out a form and present the borough with a receipt for a washable diaper kit.

Diaper debate

However, not all mothers in Verdun are willing to make the switch.

"They need special soap for it, so I don't really like it. It's too much work," said Khaleda Begum, who said she spends $60 a month on disposable diapers.

But cloth diaper companies say many people are misinformed.

"Things have come a long way. The products that are on the market today not only look good, they absorb well, they're easy to use, there are a lot of benefits," said Samantha Cockburn, founder of Baby Auric.

Verdun mother Julie Felx uses cloth diapers, and thinks the subsidy is a good idea.

"It's a good program. I already have those diapers for my daughter and I love it because it's less expensive," Felx said.

Felx said she is happy just knowing her diapers weren't ending up in landfills.