Single Use Bylaw – Vote Decision

I always remain open to improving policy.

The Single-Use Items bylaw was passed a year ago in January 2023. As the bylaw came into effect on January 16, 2024, Council started hearing from residents.

We received a significant number of emails from residents across Calgary (as well as some from outside the city) regarding the bylaw. The biggest frustration I read about was the need to ask and pay for a bag at drive-thrus. While other complaints were raised, this was singularly the most identifiable issue.

As Council asked questions of Administration and debated the issue, what I heard from my colleagues was that a waste diversion and reduction strategy was needed but that this bylaw in its current form was not the solution they were seeking. A full year has passed for my colleagues to work with Administration to bring forward specific concerns and changes to the bylaw, or present other options for waste diversion, however, that didn’t happen. I continually heard comments of willingness to explore a ‘new’ bylaw but specifically what that could entail were not articulated.
I was ready to support an amendment to the bylaw Councillor Mian had prepared. The amendment was to remove the charge on paper bags at drive-thrus. The single most often made complaint. However, Councillor Wyness brought a motion first to start the repeal of the bylaw and the passing of that vote resulted in the start of that process and the end of any amendments.

Why did I vote “No” to the repeal?

Based on what I heard from residents and my council colleagues, I did not believe that a repeal was the right direction. I believed an amendment was a smarter and more prudent move. Repealing and recreating a bylaw is a costly and time-consuming activity. The time and effort that went into the bylaw is now a loss of dollars. This is not good fiscal or policy management.

What’s next?
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The advertising will be created for the bylaw repeal and likely come to Council for decision in May of this year. That vote will be held at a public hearing of council which means the public is able to come speak to the decision before Council. I commit to sharing this information as these details become known .