FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
NELLES CORNERS – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett joined his Opposition colleagues in launching a petition calling on the government to stop increases to Ontario Tire Stewardship fees for agriculture tires that were scheduled to start on April 1.
“This is not an April Fool’s joke,” Barrett said. “Having tire disposal rates for a combine tire that are almost eight times more than the next most expensive province is a blatant example of mismanagement at Ontario Tire Stewardship.”
Barrett explained Ontario farmers can expect to pay disposal fees of $1,646.40 for a John Deere 9770 combine tire. British Columbia is the next most expensive at $210 while there is no fee in five provincies.
“This massive increase in Ontario Tire Stewardship fees for agricultural tires will take millions out of our agricultural industry and cause losses to our farm equipment dealerships,” said Opposition Agriculture Critic Ernie Hardeman. “We need to ask ourselves how it can cost that much more to recycle a tractor tire in Ontario than in other provinces?”
The new fees classify agricultural tires as off road. Hardeman pointed out that no other province has fees close to the level of those in Ontario. Below is a graph of the stewardships fees for tires on a John Deere 9770 combine.
Ontario’s Opposition has rolled out a plan that holds manufacturers and importers of tires responsible for recycling, but will give them the freedom to work with other businesses to find the best way possible to carry out that responsibility.
“We understand that if companies assume responsibility for diverting waste from our landfills as a cost of doing business, they also need to manage it as part of their business,” Michael Harris, PC environment critic said. “Government needs to return to its role as a regulator. That means instead of setting and approving eco-fees, it should be setting measurable and achievable waste diversion targets, establishing environmental standards and monitoring outcomes. That’s it.”
Barrett’s petition is being distributed to farm equipment dealers across the riding.
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For more information contact
Toby Barrett 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629