NDP: Tires pile up across Ontario as Ford fails on recycling

QUEEN’S PARK — Earlier this year, the Ford government lowered yearly recycling targets for used tires, no longer requiring producers to recycle a specific weight. The change has now resulted in used tires being stockpiled, illegally dumped, or sent to landfills.

The Ontario NDP points to another instance where a lack of foresight is costing the people of the province.

“Ontario had a perfectly functional used tire recycling program that has now been inexplicably gutted by the Ford government,” said Shadow Minister for Environment, Conservation, and Parks Peter Tabuns (Toronto—Danforth). “It is complete and utter nonsense that the Premier is allowing this system to be abused, while Ontarians pay the price.”

“The Conservatives continue to flout their environmental responsibilities. The notion of tires being sent to the United States for incineration or littering our communities is unacceptable. Doug Ford needs to reinstate collection targets and ensure that producers meet their environmental obligations.”

“The lack of planning by this government would be staggering if we hadn’t seen it time and time again,” said Shadow Minister for Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Tom Rakocevic (Humber River—Black Creek). “This isn’t even a mess that gets fixed when the calendar flips to 2026; stockpiled tires count towards next year’s targets, meaning we could be in this situation even earlier next year.

“Ontarians already pay eco-fees that are set by the producers with no transparency, but Ford is happy to let them be charged even while no one will accept their tires. The Conservatives need to stand up for Ontarians, and restore the previous collection targets to keep used tires from piling up in ravines and backyards across the province.”