Toronto city council votes to defer contracting out garbage east of Yonge

Toronto city council voted 40-4 to refer contracting out garbage east of Yonge Street back to staff for further study on Tuesday.

Mayor John Tory put forth a surprise motion Tuesday morning asking staff for more information on the issue.

A staff report released in earlier January had recommended the adoption of a competitive procurement process that includes both private and public sector bids.

“Managed competition procurements strike an excellent balance between conflicting positions, namely privatization and maintaining in-house service delivery, as they provide a platform to compare costs within a competitive procurement process,” the report read.

WATCH: Toronto City Council defers plan to privatize garbage collection east of Yonge Street. Marianne Dimain reports. (Jan. 31)

1:53 Toronto City Council defers plan to privatize garbage collection east of Yonge Street

City council voted in 2011 to forge ahead with private trash pickup west of Yonge Street. A staff report in 2015 said the city saves $11.9 million annually.

Mayor John Tory said a new labour agreement struck with city workers last year means the municipality can now revisit garbage collection east of Yonge Street.

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Tory vowed to contract out the city’s garbage collection east of Yonge Street during the 2014 mayoral campaign.

Green For Life, a private trash collection company, took control of most garbage collection west of Yonge Street in 2011.