Resident sick of illegal dumping
Phil McPhail goes to council after his dog became ill from consuming garbage along trails
Joseph Tunney
Northern News Services
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Heavy-duty mechanic Phil McPhail likes to walk his pitbull on the trails by the airport, a pleasant activity sullied by the amount of garbage lining the trails.
Phil McPhail gives a presentation to city council on Aug. 22 about illegal dumping. He was spurred to reach out to the city's leaders after his dog became ill from illegally dumped garbage. - Joseph Tunney/NNSL photo |
He said he sees illegal dumping in the trails worsening and, with his dog recently getting sick after eating some of it, he's had enough.
"She was sick for a couple days," he said. "I'm just wondering why people feel the need to dump there when we have a dump."
So, McPhail made a presentation to city council late last month about his experiences. He's told council he's been noticing the garbage for a couple years.
"There's quite a bit, actually," McPhail told Yellowknifer. "There's household garbage, there's a mattress out there, all kinds of wood and stuff."
McPhail said he actually caught a pair of teenagers dumping there and took their photograph, scaring them off.
He didn't report them because of their age, understanding they were just trying to take the easy way out and not necessarily thinking of long-term consequences.
"They were two teenagers working for a (contracting) company," McPhail said. "We decided not to say anything to (municipal enforcement) about it ... I think they were just being teenagers and not doing the right thing."
Coun. Rebecca Alty suggested working with the territorial government to discover what items are being illegally dumped the most and incorporating the cost of cleaning up into a tax to cover of those products at the time of purchase.
"Instead of at the end when they don't feel the need to pay for it anymore," she said.
According to city administration, if a resident sees illegal dumping they should contact the main city line.
From there it must be determined whether the dumping occurred on City of Yellowknife land or GNWT land. While there was no vote or action associated with McPhail's presentation, Mayor Mark Heyck said the council would continue working on the issue.
- with files from Beth Brown
