Comment on proposed changes to the methodology to calculate the cash portion of the InKind obligation

The Authority is consulting on proposed changes to the methodology to calculate the cash portion of the InKind obligation during the transition of the Blue Box Program for the 2024 and 2025 funding.

Under the Blue Box Program Plan, members of News Media Canada and Ontario Community Newspaper Association (NMC/OCNA) contribute newspaper advertising linage to municipalities and First Nations in lieu of cash funding. A cash payment, which is calculated based on a methodology outlined in the Blue Box Program Plan, is also required if commodity prices reach a certain level.

The Authority has reviewed the methodology to calculate cash portion of the InKind obligation to determine whether the methodology needed to be adjusted for the transition years of Blue Box Program. The review was undertaken because certain data inputs required for the calculation would not be available as participating communities transition to the new producer responsibility framework under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. The Authority has determined that a change to the methodology is required to accommodate for the loss of key data inputs as communities begin to transition out of the program in order to calculate the cash portion of the InKind obligation.

The proposal outlines the Authority’s proposed changes, as well as key considerations for the new approach.

Stakeholders can submit their feedback by email to consultations@rpra.ca. All feedback must be received by the Authority on or before January 13, 2023.

Learn more about the consultation process.