Toronto Garbage Piles Up

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On the Bay Street and Edward Street
intersection (July 8, 2009)

On the Bay Street and Edward Street intersection (July 8, 2009)

On the Bay Street and Edward Street intersection (July 15, 2009)

On the Edward Street and Bay Street intersection (July 15, 2009)
Photos © Jerome D'Costa

Toronto was one of the cleanest cities of Canada, but now due to the 26-day-old strike of the garbage collectors, it is turning into a garbage city. The municipal government and the strikers' unions unashamedly failed in coming to a full agreement so far. Before the situation becomes unbearable, the Ontario Provincial Government must desist from keeping its hands off from the striking situation. The city dwellers are already feeling that they have become hostage to the unrelenting strikers.

Garbage bins, that had been sealed with cellophanes just before the strike, have been forced open by city-dwellers and they have been placing garbage in them. As a result, garbage is overflowing in important Toronto locations. This bloggeru (blogger) found several such garbage bins on the Bay and Edward Streets intersection.

The municipal-designated garbage drop-off locations in different public parks and parking lots of the city have hills of garbage already. Some of these areas have rat infestations and are reeking with the stench.

On July 15, there had been a rally, called "Toronto's Had Enough," in front of the Toronto City Hall. Posters carried in the rally declared: "You are embarassing the people of our city! Sick Pay? Pay Increase? How about NO PAY?"

Piles of garbage bags in the temporary drop-off location
on 75 Birchmount Road, Toronto (July 6, 2009)
Photo © Mary D'Costa