Odin Says ...

On the New Downtown 'Trash' Fines

Jun 21, 2007

Next time you're smoking or eating on the go, think twice before throwing your cigarette butt or sandwich wrapper on the street. Starting June 1st, as a result of a new bylaw, a team of 13 full-time 'trash' inspectors has been assigned to inspect and enforce cleanliness standards in our downtown area. The city managed to collect a whopping $60,000 in fines in the first week only. The sum was collected from 116 merchants and restaurants, which had violated the rules by overflowing their side-alley trash bins, for example.

So far, no individuals have been fined by the new taskforce. But hold your breath, for it is only a matter of time, according to borough officials. Smokers best beware, for they are surely coming next on the list. The city wants to reduce the number of cigarette butts discarded on our streets, which are estimated at around 3 million a week. The bylaw is part of an effort aimed at making the downtown area more visually pleasing to both Montrealers and tourists.

Fines range from $125 for an individual's first offence up to $4,000 for a businesses' second or subsequent offence. Offences are categorized into three levels: basic, intermediate and major, with the fine value increasing with the offence's severity. So far, only flagrant offences were fined, such as overflowed exterior garbage bins and badly sealed grease containers from restaurants. However, the rules also cover home and private property owners, instructing them to keep their alleyways clean and tidy.

So what is the city planning on doing with all this money they're amassing? Don't fret, it is all being put to good use; the borough will use it to add more trees, flowers, garbage bins and park benches.

Read the city's 'Cleanliness is my Business' brochure.