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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Picking up a loose pop can or plastic bag could net you a reward if it's noticed by a city councillor or municipal enforcement officer.

Gift certificates for city services, such as the ones displayed by city councillor Cory Vanthuyne, are being handed out by city councillors and municipal enforcement officers to Yellowknifers caught picking up litter around the city. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

July 22 marked the launch of Clean up Yellowknife, a program which rewards people caught picking up garbage.

City councillors and municipal enforcement officers have $5 gift certificates which can be used toward city services such as facility bookings, flex passes, library fines, and program registries, and more.

"Any time we can promote keeping the city clean, that's a positive thing," said Coun. Cory Vanthuyne. "Having an initiative like this is a positive gesture. Certainly it would surprise people, I think, if all of a sudden a councillor or municipal enforcement officer is tapping you on the shoulder going, 'here you go, you get a $5 gift certificate from the city.'"

Not all councillors have been on board with the program.

Niels Konge stated in an e-mail to Yellowknifer there was no discussion with councillors about their involvement in the program until arriving at a municipal services committee meeting, where he was given a one-page briefing and an envelope with the certificates.

"I gave mine to Phil Moon Son to hand out, as I feel as though I do not have time to do this," Konge stated.

Coun. Rebecca Alty, who is a fan of the program, said she had yet to had out a certificate as of Friday, but was determined to keep them close at hand to reward Yellowknifers for picking up litter.

"Yellowknife would look a lot better if we all do our part," she said. "I think it'd be a welcome surprise to get a $5 gift certificate to spend on city services for picking up litter."

Two hundred gift certificates have been printed so far which is the goal for this year's program, said program manager Brian Kelln.

He added last year the number of certificates handed out was not tracked and this is the first year the city councillors have been asked to hand out certificates in addition to the municipal enforcement division.

By the end of the last week, one good-willed Yellowknifer had been caught in the clean-up act, as far as Kelln was aware.

"One (municipal enforcement officer) called me," he said. "He was quite excited. He had given one just the other day to a gentleman who had picked up some garbage and put it in the garbage can."

Kelln said the unsuspecting citizen was surprised when the officer stopped his vehicle just to thank the man for picking up litter and to give him the $5 gift certificate.

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