Residents say feds' decision to remove garbage cans near Lachine Canal is rubbish
You might not notice they're gone until you need one but the garbage bins along the Lachine Canal have been removed and it's raising a lot of questions.
It's caused more littering and it's feared summer gatherings will only make it worse.
The removal of some 30 garbage cans along the canal is already being felt by residents.
"I live in this area and I see a lot of garbage just floating around on the ground," said St-Henir resident Maika Lagotte. "I think trashes need to be in sight. You need to see where they are, and if you don't then you're not going to use them."
Parks Canada says the removal of garbage cans aims to promote waste reduction but according to some nearby residents it's leading to more littering.
"It doesn't make any sense if we're trying to keep things clean," said Nicole Groleau, also in St-Henri.
Dominique Moiroud says there will be more pollution as picnic season gets started with the warmer weather.
Last Friday, the federal agency addressed that topic in a Facebook post, which said, "The aim of this initiative is to encourage citizens to take responsibility for the management of waste destined for landfill sites. It also aims to stop the domestic litter in the bins for the visitors use."
It went on to say: "We know that actions in the field have been taken quickly and could have surprised some people. An awareness campaign is being prepared."
The messaging is a bit ironic, according to Little Burgundy resident Georges Clermont.
"People just leave them on the corner for owners or condos to remove them," he said.
Simon Bacon, a professor in behavioural medicine at Concordia University, said the agency failed to inform the public and that could backfire on its goal.
"I think it's probably going to lead to more littering along the canal and probably can end up with a whole series of negative consequences rather than actually anything positive, unfortunately," he said in an interview.
He said he believes that, in this case, more might actually be less.
"Give people better options to be able to dispose appropriately of their rubbish," he said. "If you look at most dog owners, for example, a very responsible people, they pick up the dog's mess after them and then look to dispose of them appropriately. So if you give them the capacity, the facilities to be able to do that, they will do it."
CTV News reached out to Parks Canada but did not get a response before publication time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert issued for 2 toddlers near Quebec City
Police have issued an Amber Alert for two children who have gone missing from near Quebec City.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Quebec police investigating after entire herd of 75 cattle allegedly stolen
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.