The environment must be a priority for everyone

This past February, members of the environment committee came together for the first time, to establish a plan of action and a deadline. Previously known as the urban affairs and environment committee, the new committee presided by councillor Ginette Marotte, defined three main priorities for the next months, garbage disposal, the reduction of gas house emissions and the ecological exploitation of green spaces and parks.

Mrs. Marotte explained to the Magazine that the members had identified these priorities before studying the 16 principles listed in the law on sustainable development. Bringing together five members, Ginette Marotte, Josée Lavigeur-Thériault borough councillor, Jacques Reid head of the department, Francine Morin in charge of communications for the borough and Marie Lapierre secretary, the committee aims to approach local groups (the natural habitats committee, the embellishment committee, the advisory committee on garbage disposal) and collaborate with them. Resource people, like Yvon Pagé, chief borough horticulturist, and Lise Roy, will also be consulted.

The borough has to act and it has to act fast if it aims to avoid the penalties that it would incur if it doesn't attain the goal of recycling 60% of its garbage. If it doesn't succeed, not only will Verdun have to pay $10 for each non-recycled tonne of garbage, but it will no longer receive the grants accorded to boroughs who meet this goal.

Keep in mind that since Verdun was due to pay $1 million dollars more in 2006 for garbage collection and disposal, it's expected that there will be more cost increases in the near future. Garbage dumps are filled to capacity, we have to transport garbage further and further and gas prices aren't going down. We need concrete action, like eliminating Styrofoam containers from city hall, making sure to print on both sides of paper and the installation of special garbage cans for the recycling of batteries will soon be taking place. Regarding gas house emissions, Mrs. Marotte is keeping her eye on municipal vehicles and aiming for gas economy and less polluting options. Recycling old computers is also a plan.

Mrs. Marotte admits that she first became more conscious of the environment when she became a grandmother of three. "I kept thinking what kind of world would they live in, if we left them such a polluted planet?"

Committee representatives will be meeting students for the first time at the École L'Ile-des-Soeurs, Thursday, March 22.