Borough for Parc-Extension says it's taking action to address overflowing trash

Roberto Reginato says if he called 311 every time he saw overflowing trash around Parc-Extension, it would become his full-time job. 

If you take a stroll through the neighbourhood the giant piles of trash bags, cardboard boxes, old furniture and tires alongside homes and businesses are impossible to miss. 

De Liège, Durocher and Saint-Roch streets and Wiseman Avenue are some of the problem areas — often featured in the photos Reginato posts to public Facebook groups.

"I had instances where my dogs were running after rats," he said. "We find calling 311 is just totally worthless."

Residents say the trash buildup really started getting out of hand after 2018, when garbage collection went from twice to once a week for buildings with fewer than eight units. 

It's not just the city who's to blame, Reginato said, but also the businesses and neighbours who don't care enough to pay attention to the garbage collection schedule. 

"Taking a walk is supposed to be something relaxing, enjoyable for everybody, but I'm walking in areas which are dirty and disgusting," he said.

Connie Buccheri has lived in the area for the last 15 years, and says the neighborhood is in the worst state she's seen since the problem first began about three years ago. 

Since the borough is so densely populated she feels a different approach is needed, saying just one single-family home can generate a lot of trash.

"We just feel very neglected here," she said. "I think they should just go back to picking up garbage twice a week." 

The borough mayor for Villeray-St-Michel-Parc-Extension says they've been toughening up their approach since this summer following the onslaught of complaints to 311.

Fines have gone up, Laurence Lavigne Lalonde said, increasing up to $250 for those receiving their first fine after a written warning, and up to $500 for repeat offenders.

"It is a shared responsibility. It is not only the responsibility of the borough to pick up trash. It's also the responsibility of the citizens to have good behaviour," she said. 

In addition to doubling fines, the borough is also taking steps to educate residents about its collection schedule and how to properly sort waste. Workers with Eco-Quartier will be going door to door to talk to residents, and handing out pamphlets in the areas with the most foot traffic.