July 21, 2010
Ontario's Eco-Fees will not be coming back. Environment Minister John Gerretson told the CBC today "they are gone for good". The McGuinty government dropped the fees, introduced on a wide range of products July 1, yesterday after a huge consumer and retailer outcry. Gerretson admitted the roll-out of the fees had not be handled well by Stewardship Ontario or the province and they would take three months to re-evaluate the program. The minister suggested today he expects producers to bear the responsibility of diverting hazardous materials away from landfill sites. For now, all taxpayers will foot the $5-million bill to keep the program running.