Associations in the agri-food sector are denouncing the Legault government’s reform of the selective collection system, arguing that “the costs far exceed the ability of a majority of companies to pay.”
It’s been claimed that this reform has increased their bill by between 75 per cent and 350 per cent.
“The financial and operational shock of this reform is significant for all of Quebec. Rather than simplifying and modernizing the system, it is strangling a large number of businesses, some of which are seeing their costs increase up to fourfold in three years,” the statement reads.
“This unprecedented pressure directly threatens their viability, will inevitably impact the price of the grocery basket and even compromises the achievement of the initial environmental objectives,” it adds.
These associations argue that the government wanted to act too quickly and that it should instead have opted for a gradual transition.
“The government has imposed in five years a transformation that other jurisdictions spread over 15 to 20 years,” it was stated.
They are therefore requesting that the regulatory framework be amended no later than June 20.
Eight associations joined forces to make this statement on Monday. These include the Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ), le Conseil Canadien du commerce de détail (CCCD) et l’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).
The reform of the selective collection system came into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and expands the collection of recyclable materials to include all containers, packaging, and printed materials throughout Quebec. It also makes businesses responsible for their products from the point of sale to their recycling.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
