FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 22, 2013
Simcoe – Famers are being asked to bear the brunt of paying down years of financial mismanagement, as government has moved to drastically increase tire recycling fees – in some case by as much as 2,200%.
Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett notes that the new round of government’s eco-fee increases sees a front tire on a combine jump to $352.80, up from just $15.29.
“This is a money-grab,” Barrett charged. “Another tire tax from a government that continues to look to rural Ontario to pay the bills for their needs of the GTA.”
Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS), an organization with government-sanctioned monopoly control over recycling tires in the province, has run annual deficits as much as $8 million on off-the-road tires ever since the Ontario Liberals created the program in 2009.
The off-the-road category includes tires that are used for dump trucks, tractors and log skidders.
“The Liberal government and its toothless watchdog, Waste Diversion Ontario, stood by for years as its recycling program for off-the-road tires went bankrupt,” Environment Critic Michael Harris said. “Now, the Environment Minister has decided the best way to sweep this financial mess under the rug is to force hardworking farmers, along with construction, forestry and mining companies, to pay the bill.”
Ontario’s Official Opposition by contrast, has unveiled a bold, plan that holds manufactures and importers of tires responsible for recycling, but gives 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,” Harris 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.”
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For more information contact
Toby Barrett 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629