Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has confirmed that the city is advancing in the process to acquire a private landfill site located in southeast Ottawa, the Capital Region Resource Recovery Centre. The specific price of the potential purchase has not been disclosed. The decision to move forward with the bid came after a closed-door meeting where councillors had the opportunity to discuss the deal under a non-disclosure agreement.
If the city’s bid is successful and the sale is finalized, more information, including the cost, will be made public by city officials. Mayor Sutcliffe emphasized that the focus is on timing rather than transparency in this matter.
The 192-hectare site, currently owned by Taggart Miller Environmental Services, has the capacity to accept up to 450,000 tonnes of waste annually and is strategically located near Highway 417 close to Amazon’s distribution center.
While no formal votes were taken during the closed session, Mayor Sutcliffe clarified that the final decision on proceeding with the transaction rests with the city council. Osgoode Coun. Isabelle Skalski, who represents the area where the landfill is situated, has raised concerns about the process being rushed and lacking transparency.
City staff view the potential purchase as a valuable opportunity to secure landfill capacity for the next three decades, considering the limited lifespan of the current Trail Road facility in Barrhaven. However, some residents, including those from nearby communities like Carlsbad Springs, have expressed reservations about potential impacts on their well water quality and increased truck traffic.
Supporters of the sale, including Mayor Sutcliffe, argue that having the site under public ownership would enable the city to better manage its planning and operations. The city has participated in a competitive bidding process facilitated by BMO Capital, but specific details regarding the bidding status remain confidential due to the non-disclosure agreement.
Funding for the potential purchase would involve taking on debt, which could lead to short-term increases in garbage fees. City officials are optimistic that in the long run, the financial implications will be balanced out, as the city’s solid waste master plan has already allocated resources for waste management solutions.