Christie Pits dump closed; two new sites opened

City officials have shut two of 19 temporary garbage collection sites – including Christie Pits, a flashpoint of the strike, and York Mills Arena.

Two new temporary sites have now opened: Centennial Arena in Scarborough, and Wilket Creek Sunnybrook Park.

Geoff Rathbone, general manager of solid waste, said the rest of the temporary dumps are about 30 to 40% full at this point. But he said the garbage drop off points that will be closed will not be emptied of trash.

Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, said the dumps can be maintained with the spraying of pesticides to keep vermin away. But he said he believes the city can evaluate the need to spray on a case by case basis.

However, he said insects are becoming a problem at Christie Pits and he will issue a work order forcing the city to spray.

Unionized workers and local residents have both been trying to impede the dousing. But Mr. Miller said once the order is made, the city will be legally bound to do the work and will do what it must to comply.

On Friday, Mayor David Miller urged the union to make the necessary concessions to end the strike.

“˜”˜Enough is enough,’’ he told an afternoon briefing. “˜”˜There’s been progress … and now is the time to end this strike, allow children in Toronto the opportunity to use their public services.’’

The Mayor said progress has been made at the bargaining table in recent days on a number of non-monetary items and he believes it’s "time to say yes" to a deal.

If unions are waiting for the city to ask the province to legislate the 30,000 indoor and outdoor workers back to work in hopes of getting an abitrator to forge a deal for them, he warned that won’t happen because Toronto wants to negotiate a settlement that is fair and affordable.

"We’re not going to ask for back-to-work legislation," Mr. Miller said.

Mr. Miller also raised the spectre of providing a rebate to city taxpayers for services lost for the two-week strike but said that will have to be explored once employees are back to work.