On May 19, the provincial government will launch a controversial residential recycling program.
Three years ago, the British Columbia Liberal government changed environmental regulation laws to shift recycling responsibility from municipalities to manufacturers. The provincial government brought in Multi-Material B.C. (MMBC), a non-profit organization, to implement the necessary changes to follow that law. It signals a transfer of recycling costs from taxpayers to producers of packaging and printed paper.
Critics of the program have warned that this expense will be put on consumers when businesses raise product prices to cover the cost of recycling. Mike Klassen from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has said that small businesses will suffer due to the increase of required administrative work for the recycling program.
Here's how Vancouver's MLAs stand on the MMBC program:
Spencer Chandra Herbert, NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End
"I want the polluters to pay. If you create packing that's wasteful, then you should have to pay. So I like that concept of MMBC. But I think that the program seems to be driving businesses apart, threatening people's livelihoods, and causing a lot of confusion and concern. And I think that's because this Liberal government has not ensured proper consultation with small businesses and the municipality."
Adrian Dix, NDP MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway
"I think the program ignores the consistent approach of incentives that encourage consumers to participate. What we have is MMBC, an Ontario-based company, with all the incentives and consumers are facing fewer incentives."
David Eby, NDP MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey
"I've been contacted by businesses in the community and the general message is the same. People understand the principle that if you're producing garbage, you should be paying for how that garbage is dealt with and that it's going to help reduce the amount of garbage out there. This is just a really poorly implemented program that wasn't well thought out and now local businesses and local newspapers are facing significant headache and cost."
Mable Elmore (via email), NDP MLA for Vancouver-Kensington
"I've also heard from some constituents, particularly from the print industry, who are affected by the MMBC. My colleagues in the Opposition and I share their concern that it has been brought in with little or no consultation. The BC Liberals decided this change was going to take place, then just handed it off to an unaccountable organization and washed their hands of it."
George Heyman, NDP MLA for Vancouver-Fairview
"A number of municipalities who have signed on are having second thoughts as they see problems that small businesses like the newspaper industry will experience. Clearly not enough consultation was done to ensure that everyone was ready for the change. The goals may be laudable but there are serious questions about who stands to benefit and who is going to pay."
Shane Simpson, NDP, MLA for Vancouver-Hastings
"We're not sure where the measurements are in terms of measuring success. Ultimately the government should have a handle on this. If you're going to give this system to a private entity, you have to have some oversight in place to ensure that they're doing what's in the public interest."
Moira Stilwell, B.C. Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Langara
"A lot of thought and work has gone into the MMBC program, both from government and businesses to make it fair and reasonable for all who will participate. The Minister of Environment is continuing to meet and consult with people who will be affected by this program. I think this will result in a very solid program and once that happens it will be a leadership vision in Canada. We're heading in the right direction."
Andrew Wilkinson, B.C. Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena
"Small businesses are almost entirely exempt. Those who have under $1 million of revenue or those who have one point of sale will be exempt. We're moving ahead with the plan."
Suzanne Anton, B.C. Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview; Jenny Kwan, NDP MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant and Sam Sullivan, B.C. Liberals MLA for Vancouver-False Creek could not be reached for comment.
