City hikes commercial garbage fees

The City of Iqaluit decided to increase garbage collection fees for businesses and government by 50 per cent, at a meeting this past Tuesday.

The new rates will better reflect the cost of picking up garbage and maintaining the landfill, said Mark Hall, the city’s director of public works. The rates last increased in 1998. There are no plans to increase residential garbage rates.

The new rates are expected to boost revenues by $84,000, to help pay for waste management services, and draw in another $50,000, to be set aside as a reserve to purchase a new vehicle and equipment.