Edmontonians begin to receive their new waste carts

Todayville Edmonton

Published

4 years ago

4 minute read

March 15, 2021

Between March 15 and August 31, approximately 250,000 homes in Edmonton will receive new garbage and food scraps carts as the City of Edmonton implements the Edmonton Cart Rollout program in six phases. The new cart-based system incorporates research and public engagement along with two years of testing the cart-based system in 13 pilot neighbourhoods.

“The Edmonton Cart Rollout is an essential step in Edmonton’s journey to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly as we grow,” said Don Iveson, Mayor. “These carts will allow us to reduce overall waste and accomplish a 90 per cent waste diversion from landfills — all while improving safety conditions for our workers.”

Over the coming months, and in partnership with all Edmontonians, the City aims to send less waste to landfill and continue to work towards a zero waste future while helping residents transition to the new system.

“Now more than ever, we need Edmontonians’ help as we embark on the new system,” said Councillor Jon Dziadyk. “Reducing waste at home and better using what we have will help make the program a success.”

As cart delivery begins, each home will receive a garbage cart, a food scraps cart and a food scraps pail. Approximately 19,000 homes that pre-selected a 120L cart earlier this year will receive the smaller sized garbage cart. All other homes will receive the default large (240L) garbage cart. Starting April 6, residents can exchange their garbage cart size anytime after they receive their carts by submitting an online request. The City highly recommends that residents use the carts for a few weeks before submitting an exchange request based on the two to six week learning curve observed in the homes that tested the program. The new way of sorting and setting out waste takes a little time to get used to. The City also offers an Assisted Waste collection service for customers who have difficulty getting their waste to the curb or lane. For information on the cart exchange and collection assistance, visit edmonton.ca/waste.

Along with the carts, each home will receive an information package which includes a welcome brochure, What Goes Where poster, collection calendar and city map to help residents determine their first cart collection day. Residents should not use their carts until their first cart collection day as automated collection will not begin until carts are delivered to all homes in a certain phase. Residents who receive carts from March 15 to April 10 will start the cart-based collection the week of April 13.

Residents can download the free WasteWise app in the App Store or Google Play for sorting information and collection day reminders. Edmontonians can also find their cart delivery period, proper set-out and sorting information as well as sign up for a virtual education session at edmonton.ca/waste. Sessions are live now and will be available until the Fall.

“We’re so excited to be launching this new program,” said Jodi Goebel, Director, Waste Strategy. “With the Cart Rollout, we’re joining other cities all over North America in sorting waste at home to help keep food scraps and yard waste out of the landfill.”

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Alberta

Alberta’s fiscal update projects budget surplus, but fiscal fortunes could quickly turn

Published on November 21, 2024

Todayville

From the Fraser Institute

By Tegan Hill

According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.

The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.

For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).

And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.

In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.

This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.

Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.

Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.

Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.

When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.

According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.

Author:

Tegan Hill

Alberta

Premier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms may still result in a publicly owned system

Published on November 21, 2024

Government of Alberta

Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance

Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.

After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.

Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.

“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”

Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.

Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.

Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.

In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.

Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.

By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.

“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”

Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities

Quick facts

Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
A 2023 report by MNP shows