Alberta is preparing a tougher response to illegal dumping. According to CBC News reporting, the province plans legislation allowing fines of $10,000 to $100,000 for individuals and $100,000 to $1 million for corporations, alongside possible jail sentences of 30 days to six months.
Premier Danielle Smith said people are dumping trash on roadsides, public lands and in rural communities, leaving farmers, municipalities and taxpayers to pay for cleanup.
Provincial figures cited in the coverage say illegal dumping on Calgary city property alone generated about 30,000 complaints and nearly 9,000 service requests, while the city issued 165 tickets and three fines.
Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams said the problem is common across Alberta, including dumping on private farmland by people from outside rural municipalities. The proposed penalties are aimed at shifting cleanup costs back to those responsible.
