The City of Whitehorse is doubling down on its short-term recycling plans.

Council members decided Monday evening to offer an interim curbside recycling program as well as a pay-for-use depot to be located at the municipal landfill site.

Those two programs will replace the Raven Recycling Society drop-off bins, which will close Sept. 15 – and will in return hopefully be replaced by a new program operated by manufacturers under territorial legislation in approximately 18 months’ time.

That decision has made at least one councillor grumpy about the city’s priorities.

Ted Laking provided The Yukon Star with a strongly-worded statement Tuesday about the decision.

“Recycling is a key part of our waste management system, and that’s why our family has utilized the private sector option that has existed in our community for years,” Laking said.

“However, Whitehorse taxpayers should not foot the bill for the Yukon government’s delays in developing a new recycling system, especially when city administration noted it may adversely affect the existing private Yukon enterprise who have worked hard to provide that service to residents.”

Laking continued to criticize the decision in his statement.

“Earlier this month, the city has already agreed to spend over a million dollars to set up a new government-subsidized recycling drop-off to fill the gap left by the closure of the NGO option.

“Spending even more millions of dollars to set up an inefficient system that we know will only exist for a year, and that competes with the work that we are already spending money on is poor policy,” Laking wrote.

His was the sole dissenting vote.

Council colleague Coun. Kirk Cameron called the curbside program a “bridge” to get residents through the current confusion through to the Extended Producer Responsibility program the government wants to implement.

Mayor Laura Cabott also liked the idea, saying it’s clear to her that the public is clamouring for it.

Laking told the Star he was a bit upset with Cameron’s comments.

Cameron, who has announced he’s running for mayor, spoke earlier in the meeting about the need to keep expenses for residents as low as possible, since many are feeling the pinch in their finances to pay for the homes and related expenses, and then supports extra costs.

“As elected representatives, we must remember that we have been entrusted to stand up for our citizens,” Laking said.

“Too often, governments overlook the fact that their decisions result in citizens having to pay more taxes and fees. As inflation has worsened over the last several years, we have seen many families in our community struggle. People, particularly those on fixed incomes such as seniors, are struggling to pay their bills.”

Laking said, “Forcing mandatory curbside on everyone, regardless of their income situation and regardless of how much waste they produce, isn’t fair. I don’t think a senior citizen on a fixed income should be asked to pay as much as a family producing more waste and with multiple income earners.”

The bylaw authorizing curbside recycling pickup still needs to pass third reading.

The bylaw requires a budget amendment adding $715,000 to pay for the program this year and a little more than $2 million in 2025.

 Laking launched one more volley at his colleagues.

“It’s also important to remember that earlier this year the City of Whitehorse further increased taxes and fees on our citizens. Across Canada, inflation has partially been driven by governments spending as if money grows on trees,” Laking said.

“Many in government lose sight of the reality that it doesn’t matter if the money comes from the city, the territorial government, or the federal government; it is all taxpayers’ money. It is our responsibility to ensure we are spending that money wisely and efficiently.”

The Yukon government has offered $2.4 million in funding to the city to help offset the costs of any recycling program it decides upon over a two-year period.

No one from Raven Recycling was available to comment on the issue, but the organization has been a strong supporter of the city establishing curbside recycling.