Mayoral candidate Susan Stevenson is pledging a financial and feasibility review that would consider potentially scrapping the current curbside collection schedule in favour of weekly collection of all three-streams of household waste. Since early 2024, organic waste (green bins) and recyclables (blue bins) are collected weekly, but the remaining bagged garbage is collected every second week. “Residents are raising concerns about odors, hygiene, rats, and the increased appearance of garbage in their neighborhoods and roadsides,” Stevenson said during a campaign announcement in south London. If elected, she would direct city staff to review the cost of year-round or summertime weekly collection, including an examination of routes, truck capacity, and workforce requirements. Following public input, the report would be presented to Council for a decision. “Staff identified encouraging green bin use was a key reason for moving garbage collection to every other week, we should now examine how that choice is working for households and neighborhoods,” Stevenson added. Incumbent Josh Morgan responded shortly afterwards. “She doesn’t have to have that costed, I can cost it for her,” Morgan told CTV News. “It’s $1.8 million to $2 million of operating (costs) every year and $3 million of capital (costs). That includes using some of the trucks for multiple purposes.” Stevenson emphasized any service change would require a “credible funding plan” that’s within her commitment to property tax increases under 1 per cent in 2027 and 2028, and at or below inflation the following two years. She suggests the review of garbage collection would be a priority, “It is a top concern for Londoners. To know what the timeline would be and what the options are, I think it’s going to be early on the table.” “What I think Londoners want to hear is her costing out her tax promise,” Morgan countered. “Getting to 1 per cent with this promise is $72 million, and we want to know what you’re going to cut, because there is no magic money to find out there.” Ten other candidates are running to be mayor of London, John Feher, Lawrence-Zachary Howe, Barry Douglas Jacklin, Tariq Khan, Kirsten Krose, Dan Lenart, Bronagh Joyce Morgan, Christine Rosehart, Jeff Yam, and Mustafa Zeboon. Election Day is Oct. 26.
