Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 01/03) - Reducing dump waste through recycling programs may soon be on the horizon for the Northwest Territories.

Jim Antoine, minister of RWED, introduced Bill 22 - the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act to the standing committee Monday. -

Jim Antoine, minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, spoke to Bill 22 -- the Waste Recovery and Reduction Act last week before a standing committee.

"The proposed legislation allows for the development of territory-wide recovery programs that will have a favourable impact on the environment in every Northwest Territories' community...," Antoine told the committee.

Such legislation would create jobs in collection depots and regional processing centres, he went on to say.

But the proposed act drew some questions and concerns from several MLAs, including Michael McLeod.

"Why can't the government see past regional centres," he questioned, when it was announced depots would be located in three regional centres including Hay River, Yellowknife and Inuvik.

Smaller areas such as Fort Simpson would benefit from such facilities and any jobs they would produce, he said.

But Antoine said these regional centres would be the most efficient way to operate the new program.

Smaller centres will have collection depots set up.

In the second year of implementation, 33 communities will each receive about $10,000 to help establish the return centres.

The cost of the program is expected to be about $820,000 for the first year and then dropping to about $323,000 in the second year.

Antoine said the program eventually will grow to include recovery of tires, computers, cardboard and plastics.

And the program itself will be fully cost recoverable within the next several years, Bob McLeod, deputy minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) told the committee. Ready-to-drink containers will all be included in the first segment of the program, while in the second year, it will be expanded to include milk and milk products, he said.

Another concern raised was that of the penalty for non-compliance with the act, should it become legislation.

Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey was slightly taken aback at the $50,000 maximum penalty.

"Shouldn't we be trying to find the penalty to fit the crime," he said.

But Antoine disagreed the amount was excessive.

"Do you want a $1,000 fine and have no one comply or a $50,000 fine and have people take notice. I think my environment is worth it," he responded.

The legislation will also enable government to register and collect surcharges from the distributors, create an environment fund and also do inspections and audits to monitor and enforce the programs.

About 25 million such containers are sold each year in the Northwest Territories. Further public meetings will be held throughout the territories during September.