DURHAM -- The Region’s business case for incineration is headed to council after a full day of debate Wednesday at the committee level.
Durham released the case on Friday and Regional staff officially presented it at a joint finance and administration-works committee meeting.
After hearing from the public, staff spent hours answering questions from councillors, including lengthy question sessions from Ajax Mayor Steve Parish and Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson, who each spoke for an hour.
Among the issues debated were whether the Region should use federal gas tax money to fund the construction of the plant, the cost of proposed features for the facility, such as a public viewing gallery, and if district heating is a viable option for nearby buildings.
In the end, Regional Chairman Roger Anderson moved the recommendation and the joint committee passed it.
“It’s very clear to everyone in this room that the business case does benefit the taxpayers of Durham and the impact on the taxpayers is minimal at best,” he said.