Councillors Debate Hiring More Garbage Inspectors

Daniel Proussalidis with Stephanie Kinsella
Tuesday, November 24, 2009

At least one Ottawa city councillor is questioning the need for having municipal garbage inspectors on the payroll, even as city staff recommends taxpayers hire three more.

City Environmental Manager Dixon Weir tells councillors that he cannot recall when, or if ever, a fine related to residential garbage has been handed out.

However, Weir contends inspectors still have important roles, given how many calls to the city's 311 line are for waste-related issues.

"The city has $30-million in contracts with a variety of collection contractors," says Weir, suggesting the inspectors are needed as well to ensure compliance with contracts.

The environmental manager also put to rest rumours that garbage inspectors would be going through people's green bins to ensure compliance with the kitchen waste composting program that begins in January.

While Councillor Bob Monette says while he's pleased that inspectors will not be policing people's garbage, he doesn't see the need for extra resources.

"There's no net benefit that I can believe will come out of that," Monette tells CFRA News.

Weir is requesting the hiring of three additional inspectors, on top of the current seven, which would cost taxpayers $260-thousand.