Changes are coming to curbside garbage pick-up on Cortes Island. 

The charge to the island’s 692 units will be rising 50 cents from $97.75, currently, to $99.25 as of April 1, 2025.

There are also some changes to the contract.

Apparently the Strathcona Regional District was not aware that VEM Contracting has been picking up recyclables.

As a staff member explained, at the August 17 SRD Board meeting,“That’s something that we just discovered that is being done, and we want to keep doing that as well.”

The SRD has noticed an increase in the number of eligible buildings over the past couple of years.

They are also concerned that VEM Contracting is sometimes dealing with volumes exceeding the 80 litre per unit specified in their contract. The SRD is developing a process to deal with excesses.

VEM Contracting has reviewed the new contract and agreed to the proposed changes. 

Cortes Island’s Regional Director, Noba Anderson agrees with the proposed changes, but has some questions about billing. She has been receiving complaints from some constituents who claim they are being billed for buildings that are not residences. 

“I expect in this kind of situation, where extra dwellings are being counted for these purposes, is inevitable. But I’m just wondering what the rectification process would be,” she said.

SRD staff replied they have had similar complaints. They have attempted to visit Cortes a couple of times, but the ferry line-ups were too long. 

“We missed the ferry,  and we’re planning another trip once the busy season slows down. So we’re planning a trip for the second week of September. We are responding to all these requests and we’re letting residents know that if we find out that the dwellings that they have on Corte Island, don’t meet  the language of the bylaw we will remove those bills from our system,” explained staff.

The SRD Board passed a motion authorizing the Chair and Corporate Officer to execute the proposed modification agreement with VEM Contracting.

Top image credit: One of the roads being served on Cortes Island – Photo by Roy L Hales

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