Stop companies from passing on Eco Fees: Horwath

QUEEN’S PARK — NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says so-called “Eco-Fees” should be the responsibility of the companies that produce hazardous materials – not their customers – and is calling for an independent body to replace the industry-controlled Stewardship Ontario.

“Once again, the McGuinty Government is forcing families to take on increased costs and their well-connected friends are getting a break,” said Horwath.

“This fiasco has once again made it obvious that industry can’t regulate itself. The companies that produce this waste should be responsible for getting rid of it – instead of being allowed to pass the buck to their customers.”

Horwath said that whenever companies are charged with regulating themselves, they come up short.

“It should come as no surprise that the self-regulating organization gave a carte blanche to producers and retailers to slap surprise fees at the checkout and nail consumers,” said Horwath.

Horwath noted that recycling hazardous products is important to families and for the environment, but it’s producers who should pay.

“The costs of recycling should be fully absorbed by the companies that profit from them, not their customers or cash-strapped municipalities,” said Horwath

---

Posted on July 16, 2010. Read more about: Consumer Protection, Environment, Jobs and Affordabilty.

Join Team Andrea and help get the word out.