Montreal is going through the worst recycling crisis in its history without a captain at the helm, the official opposition denounced Monday morning at city hall, while the mayor called for patience.
Posted at 1:41 p.m.
The metropolis is preparing to terminate the operating contract for the Lachine sorting center, where hundreds of poor quality recycling bales have been accumulating for months. The current operator, Ricova, says he is unable to sell the goods and even mentioned an interruption of activities, with a direct impact on collection.
At the start of the city council meeting on Monday, the leader of the official opposition blamed the administration for this situation.
“We realize that the environment is only a slogan for this administration,” asserted Aref Salem. “We have no plan that is put forward with this administration. »
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Aref Salem, Leader of the Official Opposition
Mr. Salem would have liked Ricova to be removed from the Lachine sorting center as early as last spring, when the Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded that the company was depriving the city of hundreds of thousands of dollars by hiding income in its administrative structure.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said her administration has always acted in a timely manner on this file.
“We take the time to do things right,” she told the city council. “We act diligently, but we don’t act on the corner of a table. »
In his opinion, a premature termination of Ricova’s contract could have disrupted all recycling in Montreal. Possible result: confusion among Montrealers about the collection. “We have to keep good habits and we have to continue in this direction,” said M.me Plant.
The municipal administration has accepted the opposition’s request to hold a special municipal council next week to discuss this file.