Councillor Abbott Clarifies a Proposed Change to Curbside Collection (August 24th, 2025)

This was published in response to misinformation circulated by some in the community.

I thought it would be helpful to clarify the proposed garbage bylaw amendment.

Are the waste collection time slots new?

No, they were piloted in 2022 in response to a province-wide spike in bear activity and included in the bylaw in 2023 at the request of bylaw so that they could be enforced because of resident complaints that they weren’t be followed.

What changes are being discussed by Council now?

The changes are that residents who use approved bear-resistant clip-lock style garbage/food waste carts be allowed to put their waste out from 7.30am on collection day. The other change is that the time slots be in place year-round to avoid confusion and so that non-compliance can be fined if educational efforts by bylaw have failed. All the other items listed in my report to Council were from the original bylaw going back years, it was presented as a whole section for ease of reading.

Is garden waste subject to time slots?

No. Garden waste has nothing to do with Bear Smart efforts to make sure attractants are not available to wildlife and has never been included.

Is recycling subject to time slots?

The bylaw says “clean recycling products are excluded from the area collection schedule provided they do not create an attractant.” Bear Smart education uses the wording “Please put your waste out as close to 7:30 am, 9:00 am or 10:00 am as possible. Clean recyclables should be placed curbside in the Friday morning time slots or as close as possible to those times or, if you have to head out, as you leave home.”

Why are residents now receiving warning letters from bylaw?

This bylaw initiative was a staff decision and was not directed by or discussed with Bear Smart. Having said that I am supportive of bylaw educating and if necessary enforcing bylaws, that is their role.

Does having curb-side time slots cost more than the old collection schedule?

No.

What other options were discussed when the time slots were implemented in 2022?

Doing away with curbside collection as Whistler, Belcarra and other municipalities have done: This was dismissed at the start because Council knew it would not be the preferred option for Lions Bay residents.

Bear-proof dumpsters in locations around the Village so that residents can drop off attractants instead of Works Yard drop-off: The cost of acquiring these was prohibitive, as was the cost of staff time to monitor them to make sure they were properly closed, not full, etc. Odours caused by rotting green waste and garbage could also attract bears to cul de sacs, the park and ride and other locations discussed which would create bear problems where none existed, a potential public safety issue.

We also reviewed what other municipalities do to see if there were effective options that would work in Lions Bay. None seemed viable for Lions Bay.

Finally, I want to thank the vast majority of residents who have complied and helped to dramatically reduce the number of bears accessing garbage on collection days. This is intended to make things easier for those who are finding it difficult to comply with the time slots.

Feel free to contact me at councillor.abbott@lionsbay.ca with questions, comments or for further information.