Mark one down in the win column for Mayor Rob Ford.
At Monday's executive committee meeting, Ford tabled a motion asking council members for their support in his bid to scrap the city's five-cent plastic bag fee, which was introduced on June 1, 2009.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., he got his wish as the 13-member committee - filled with Ford allies - voted to rescind the bylaw that requires retailers to charge the fee effective July 1.
The motion will be put to a full council vote on June 6.
On his weekly radio talk show Sunday, Ford said the tax has served its purpose and needs to be scrapped, repeating a vow he made last year.
The fee generates about $5.4 million a year, but the money doesn't go to the city – it's kept by retailers.
The fee was billed as a way to promote the use of reusable shopping bags and to cut down the amount of bags that wind up at city landfills.
A staff report released Monday called on the city to ask major retailers to donate a portion of the money they rake in from the fee to help to restore Toronto's tree canopy.
In addition to the plastic bag fee, the committee considered two anti-casino motions Monday.
One motion sought to reaffirm the 1997 referendum result rejecting a casino, while the second motion sought to rule out Ontario Place as a location for a casino in Toronto.
Ford said he wants more study done on the issue, and introduced a motion for a comprehensive report on the revenue and jobs that a casino facility would create.
"We have to look at all the alternatives and see what's best for the taxpayers and residents of the city," Ford said on Monday.
@ChrisKitching is on Twitter. Don't forget, for instant breaking news, follow @CP24 on Twitter.
