Manitoba’s environment critic is challenging the province to spend carbon price revenues on curbside composting.

“The provincial government’s going to be bringing in the new carbon tax ... that’s going to be raising hundreds of millions of dollar in new revenues,” said NDP environment critic Rob Altemeyer. “If we had curbside composting in Winnipeg and all the other cities in Manitoba, we would be able to accomplish some pretty great stuff.”

Altemeyer believes provincial carbon cash could alleviate or reduce the need for a $55 to $100 per-household fee once pitched to cover curbside composting costs in Winnipeg. That possible fee triggered public backlash and a Winnipeg city council delay on composting collection, despite the fact the composting proposal was never actually finalized.

“If the province was able to find it 100%, nobody’s fees would go up,” said Altemeyer.

Carbon prices are slated to be charged across Canada by 2018, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has required a minimum starting price of $10 per tonne take effect. That price would gradually rise to $50 per tonne by 2022 and be imposed on provinces that don’t present alternative cap-and-trade or carbon price plans.

The Prime Minister also vowed to return the revenue to the provinces.

Premier Brian Pallister has ruled out a cap-and-trade system, leading Altemeyer to expect a pricing system that matches the federal minimum levy. If so, that would raise $215 million in 2018 alone, said Altemeyer.

Altemeyer believes the broadest Winnipeg collection option that’s been discussed — the compost collection of all food plus pet waste — would have cost about $40 million per year.

He expects carbon revenue could add curbside composting for Manitoba’s 11 official cities soon, even without municipal or taxpayer funds.

It’s estimated about 40% of household waste entering the Brady landfill is organic material. Altemeyer believes diverting that could cut in half the roughly 400,000 metric tonnes of polluting emissions the landfill releases each year.

Martin Entz, a University of Manitoba professor who researches organic production systems, said compost collection could create a new resource.

“It is not waste, it is actually a resource,” said Entz. “There are certain agricultural operations that really covet compost ... and they are paying for compost right now.”

Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox couldn’t be reached for an interview Tuesday. In an email, Cox didn’t note if curbside composting could be funded through carbon revenue.

She did stress consultations are underway on a “made-in-Manitoba” carbon price plan to “retain investment and foster emissions reductions in our province.”

“We’re working very hard on a plan that will excite Manitobans, ensure we are doing our part for the environment, and support our economy in the process,” wrote Cox.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

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