TORONTO, April 3 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto has officially acquired the

Green Lane Landfill, securing the city's long term disposal requirements for

future decades. The $220.3 million purchase was finalized today as First

Nations communities in the area agreed to a community benefit trust that

includes 4% of gross revenue, as well as future benefits of new diversion

facilities that may be constructed on site at $4 per tonne.

     Similar community benefit agreements are already in place with Southwold

Township, Central Elgin and the City of St. Thomas.

     In September last year, City Council authorized staff to proceed with the

acquisition of the landfill site, southwest of Toronto. The City will begin

fully using the site in 2011, when its contract to ship waste to Michigan

comes to an end.

     "I'm pleased that we have reached this point and we have been able to

secure a location for Toronto's landfill needs for the long term," said Mayor

David Miller. "Our agreements with the First Nations communities ensure that

we will have an operation that is environmentally sound, while allowing the

city to be respectful of all our neighbours."

     "The agreement we've made today goes far beyond financial arrangements,"

said Chief Randall Phillips of the Oneida of the Thames band. "The agreement

provides a good base for the people of the Oneida to deal with potential

issues related to the operation of the landfill.

     "The City's negotiators were instrumental in getting to this agreement

and their understanding of First Nations' diversity was essential in reaching

this settlement and I applaud their efforts."

     Added Chief Kelly Riley of the Chippewa of the Thames band: "We are

pleased to be working with the City of Toronto and look forward to a mutually

beneficial process. Our primary goal is protection of the environment and with

like-minded people we can make a fundamental difference in this world."

     Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home

to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine

of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America.

In the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and

innovation in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to

prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.