Torontonians might pay more for water and waste collection next year. Here's how much it could cost us
![garbage The City of Toronto is looking to increase water and waste collection services for residents next year. (Pexels/Brett Sayles)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/10/16/garbage-1-6603756-1701213969061.jpg)
Torontonians may have to pay more for services like water and garbage collection next year.
On Tuesday, the City proposed an interim increase of three per cent for solid waste management services and Toronto Water.
Once approved by council, the new rates will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, but only temporarily until the 2024 rate-supported operating and capital budgets are considered in February.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
According to the city’s release, these increases will permit these services to be maintained and set aside money for future capital needs. Officials add that introducing this increase now can help “avoid a larger hike” when the final budget is approved.
“The suggested interim rate and user fees maintain affordability for Toronto residents and businesses while maintaining these essential services,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in the release.
The proposed increases are “moderate,” the release notes.
With waste collection services in Toronto, households will be charged based on the size of their garbage bins, which vary from small to extra-large.
Factoring in the three per cent increase, a single-family household with a small bin will pay $295.29 for the year, an $8.60 jump from before.
The same type of household will pay $358.47 for a medium bin, or $10.44 more; a large bin will cost $486.86, or $14.18 more; and an extra-large bin will be $564.71 for the year, or $16.45 more.
Outside of collecting residential garbage, solid waste management services fees also fund the collection and processing of yard waste, organics, household hazardous wastes and electronics, and oversized and metal items. The fees also go toward city-wide litter collection, community environment days, street and park bin collection, closed landfill maintenance and drop-off depots.
As for water services, city officials said the average household consuming 230 cubic metres (about 230,000 litres) of water per year will see their rates cost an extra $30 annually, which amounts to about eight cents a day for a total of $1,039.
Toronto Water also provides safe drinking water to residents, wastewater collection and treatment and stormwater management.
“Resident input plays a vital role in shaping these decisions, and I encourage Toronto residents and businesses to contribute their feedback,” Chow said.
The executive committee will consider the interim rates and fees on Dec. 5 with city council convening on Dec. 13 to 15. Torontonians and businesses can register to speak at the executive committee meeting, click here for more details.
While interim rates are expected to be in effect on New Year’s Day, final rates could launch on Jan. 10 after getting approval for the 2024 budget process.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6943621.1719510587!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Watch Live Now: Canadian analysis ahead of the CNN Presidential Debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are set to go head-to-head tonight in the first of two planned presidential debates. Here's how to watch the CNN Presidential Debate, Power Play's pre- and post-debate specials, and follow along in our real-time CTVNews.ca live expert analysis and commentary by debate and body-language experts.
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
'No additional flights will be cancelled': WestJet avoids strike as feds order binding arbitration
A potential strike by WestJet airplane mechanics would upend travel plans for 250,000 customers over the Canada Day long weekend, the airline says — and cost it millions of dollars.
BREAKING Nunavut judge sentences Toronto woman to 3 years prison for Inuit identity fraud
A Nunavut judge has sentenced a Toronto woman to three years in prison in a case of Inuit identity fraud.
Canada's top court rejects appeal from Sask. man who murdered wife
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an application from a Saskatoon man who murdered his wife.
Where do new Canadians come from? India and Philippines take top spots
Canada has welcomed more than 3.9 million new citizens since 2005, with nearly one third coming from India, the Philippines or China, according to a CTVNews.ca analysis.
Marilyn Monroe's former Los Angeles home declared a historic monument to save it from demolition
Fans of Marilyn Monroe have won a battle to preserve her mark on Los Angeles and are a step closer to seeing a towering statue of the silver screen icon remain in Palm Springs.
Man charged with threatening to kill presidential candidates found dead as jury was deciding verdict
A New Hampshire man charged with threatening the lives of presidential candidates last year has been found dead while a jury was deciding his verdict, according to court filings Thursday.
AI regulation 'a start,' needs to 'have teeth': Hinton, godfather of AI, says
So-called godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton says he's 'pleased' governments are starting to take artificial intelligence, and the possible regulations of it, seriously.