News Release

Supreme Court Supports HRM’s Position

(Tuesday, April 26, 2005)-- In a recent decision, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court accepted HRM's argument and dismissed an application by the Solid Waste Association of Nova Scotia (SWANS) to challenge By-law S-602.

The association initiated a court proceeding in 2002 to challenge the by-law, which prohibits haulers from transporting waste materials collected within HRM to landfills in other municipalities,.

Before any hearing on the merits of the claim, HRM applied in February this year to strike out the proceeding on the basis that SWANS lacked standing to challenge the by-law. The Court ruled that there are other more effective means to challenge the by-law in the Courts.

By-Law S-602 was adopted to enable HRM to be good stewards of its own waste resources. Compliance with the by-law will continue to play an important part in fulfilling HRM's mandate under the Municipal Government Act to provide environmentally responsible and cost-effective waste resource services in HRM.

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John O’Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531

Jim Bauld
Manager, HRM Solid Waste Resources
(902) 490-6607