C039-2026

Background

Large number of abandoned shopping carts end up in Brampton's green spaces including parks,  valley lands and storm water management ponds. This abandonment results in hazardous conditions and or pollution in the City that has associated clean up costs that are currently borne by volunteer groups and by the City.

Some retailers have GPS tracking and or locking technology that prevents carts from being removed from retailer property. Retailers who do not have appropriate management processes should help offset costs of recovery and clean up through a user fee.

Source: City of Toronto

Item Description

C039-2026 Moved by Regional Councillor Santos Seconded by Regional Councillor Keenan

Whereas the Municipal Act, 2001, c.25, S.391(1) provides that a municipality may amend a by-law to impose fees or charges; 

Whereas the City is experiencing a growing problem with abandoned shopping carts in parks, creeks, valleys, boulevards, transit stops, storm water management ponds, and other public spaces; Whereas the City has received an increasing number of complaints from residents regarding abandoned shopping carts on City property;

Whereas abandoned shopping carts create hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, impede accessibility, and pose risks to public safety;

Whereas abandoned shopping carts pose risks to wildlife and contribute to environmental pollution within the City; Whereas shopping carts are the property of retailers or merchants, who are responsible for securing and managing their property and preventing carts from being removed from their premises;

Whereas reacting to this growing problem requires the collection and removal of abandoned shopping carts from City property, utilizing a significant amount of staff time and municipal resources, resulting in additional costs to the City and property tax payers; and

Whereas in cases of persistent incidents of abandoned shopping carts on City property, it is appropriate for City staff to at minimum, recover costs associated with cart retrieval and management through the imposition of user fees;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved: 1. That Council direct staff to implement a user fee of $100 per shopping cart retrieved to recover staff time and resource costs; and

2. That the fee apply to retailers in the City of Brampton who, at City staff discretion, fail to properly manage their shopping carts, where such carts are clearly identifiable as the retailer’s property, and where their abandonment results in hazardous conditions or pollution within the City.

3. That staff report back in Q1 2026, on the feasibility of legislating a requirement for Brampton retailers to implement locking technology that keeps their respective shopping carts within the proximity of their property.

Source: City of Toronto

Proposed by

Councillor Santos