Symphony sets stage for heated water debate

Story by Michelle Baril.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra's performance of Flight of the Valkyries seemed to put councillors at ease as they took their seat to prepare for Monday's committee meeting. While the melodies of the trumpets settled possible frustrations for a moment; the water debate threatened to relinquish bottled up tension.

The motion to provide an alternative to bottled water in all city owned facilities to reduce on plastic in the landfill was passed with a 6-4 vote.

"Our Preference is to conscientiously us less plastic bottles," said Councillor Chris Mayne.

The majority of Councillors were in favour of the idea but the resolution to the problem was not addressed in the motion.

"In principle it's the right way to go. But I believe it is more about public education," said Councillor Sarah Campbell. "There's no testing of bottled water and it's more expensive. The price per one litre of water is the equivalent of one litre of gas," she added.

At City Hall alone $1500 per year in bottles and cans are being put into landfills. According to Mayne, the City receives $400 per tonne of plastic that is recycled compared to the $2000 per tonne they get from aluminum cans.

"We not only have an environmental responsibility but a fiscal responsibility as well," said Mayne.

Though the motion was passed the Councillors who voted against the motion, Dave Medecino, Peter Chirico, Mike Anthony, and Darryl Vaillancourt all were against the lack of Freedom of Choice presented and the fact that there are weaknesses in the initial motion.

"The motion didn't say anything. No action, no substance to the motion. I think we do a great job in environmental issues and like I said the motion was watered down and didn't provide action to resolution," said Mendecino. "It's their choice. Who are we to say what they can't do," he added.