WMABC Addresses Metro Vancouver Threats to Raise Property Taxes

VANCOUVER, Oct. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - The Waste Management Association of British Columbia (WMABC) responded today to Metro Vancouver's threats yesterday that it would have to raise property taxes if the Province does not approve Bylaw 280.

"It is outrageous that Metro Vancouver is using taxpayers as hostages and threatening the Province that it will have to raise property taxes if they don't get Bylaw 280 approved," said Lori Bryan, Executive Director for WMABC.  "Metro Vancouver doesn't have a revenue problem, they have a spending problem and they need to learn to live within its means rather than forcing local taxpayers and businesses to pay for their inefficiencies." 

The WMABC asserts that Bylaw 280 is simply a tax grab designed to fund the Region's $517 million incinerator to burn Metro Vancouver waste and recyclable materials.  Metro Vancouver wants to create a local monopoly to set and control fees for local garbage disposal and has already stated that disposal fees will increase from $108 per tonne in 2014 to $157 per tonne by 2018.  This is a 45% increase that will be passed on to overburdened homeowners and small businesses.

This bylaw is opposed by a broad cross section of leading British Columbia business organizations and environmental groups that all agree that Metro Vancouver needs to revisit its waste management plan and improve the inefficiencies within its system and promote programs that attract private sector investment, not taxpayers money, to build more diversion and recycling facilities.

Metro Vancouver has a diversion rate of nearly 60% that is the envy of other North American jurisdictions.  It was achieved by an open and competitive marketplace with the public and private sector working collaboratively to develop diversion strategies and programs that have in turn fostered the development of a vibrant recycling industry. 

To find out more about The Waste Management Association of British Columbia, please visit www.wmabc.ca.

SOURCE: The Waste Management Association of British Columbia

For further information: Lori Bryan, Executive Director, 604.283.5603, [email protected]