WHEREAS regulations pertaining to waste disposal site operation are becoming increasingly burdensome, causing increased operating costs and closure of many landfills; and

WHEREAS more and more garbage is being dumped in ditches, vacant farm sites, or being buried on farm land causing an additional problem and expense for RMs and land owners, and

WHEREAS the issue is becoming an environmental concern;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Environment review regulations restricting land fill operations and apply suitable and cost efficient solutions for waste disposal.

Response from Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Environment: 

Our government places a high priority on improving the management of solid waste in the province as it is important in protecting both human health and the environment. However, proper management of solid waste does come at a financial cost. Poor site selection and improper operational practices, such as burning of waste, represent threats to health and the environment. Conducting alterations to waste disposal grounds or transfer station without proper evaluation and planning can lead to environmental contamination and greater long-term risk and expense. At the same time, the ministry understands the desire for cost effective and efficient waste management options.

To ensure effective and efficient options for solid waste management in the future, the Ministry of Environment has initiated work on the development of the Saskatchewan Environmental Code, including chapters on landfills and transfer stations. Municipal, industry and academic experts served on the Environmental Code Advisory Committee that was charged with developing revised rules for landfill and transfer station design, siting, operation, monitoring and closure. The pending environmental code will employ the current best practices approach adopted across Canada, while moving away from permits. Our intent is that the landfill and transfer station environmental code chapters will ensure effective, efficient and timely attention to solid waste management.