The city councillor for the Ottawa area where a landfill purchase is under consideration has expressed concerns about the rushed and vague nature of the process, including uncertainties around the potential cost. Osgoode Coun. Isabelle Skalski criticized the lack of effective community engagement on significant matters affecting the locality.
Recently, the city revealed its bid for a rural property on the eastern outskirts of Ottawa, a fully permitted landfill site owned by Taggart Miller Environmental Services Inc. Located north of Devine Road between Boundary and Frontier roads, the site is being eyed as a solution to Ottawa’s impending capacity issues at the Trail Road landfill, aligning with the city’s long-term waste diversion objectives.
However, the prospect of this acquisition has sparked worries about environmental and traffic impacts, along with questions regarding the sudden introduction of the matter to the public agenda. The city, in its report to committee members, stated that it became aware of the bidding opportunity in early 2025 and submitted a non-binding indicative proposal, which was accepted, progressing to Phase 2.
While the process has been shrouded in confidentiality, the city emphasized that public feedback would be sought before any final decision by the council on the acquisition. The public is encouraged to provide input leading up to and during the finance committee’s forthcoming meeting. The city staff’s recommendation to councillors is to consider the acquisition, with further reporting expected if the decision to proceed is made.
Residents, including longtime area inhabitant Gaston Diotte, have expressed skepticism about the undisclosed costs and potential consequences such as increased traffic and odors. Skalski highlighted the surprise among residents regarding the change in permit for the site in 2024, allowing for residential waste handling, despite its initial approval for commercial and industrial waste handling in 2017 after extensive public consultations.
City officials have acknowledged the need for transparency, especially given the public interest in the landfill issue. River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington stressed the importance of providing as much information as possible to the public at this stage. The upcoming committee meeting is seen as an opportunity for a more open and engaged discussion on the merits of the proposed acquisition.