Continuous Improvement Fund withdraws proposal to wind up early and transfer surplus funds to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario

On February 17, 2023, the Continuous Improvement Fund (CIF) notified RPRA of its decision to withdraw the proposal to wind up operations early at the end of 2022 instead of 2023 and transfer approximately $9.64 M in surplus funds to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) in order to support communities in transitioning their Blue Box programs to Ontario’s new extended producer regulatory framework and other waste-related matters. The current windup plan designates the surplus funds to be disbursed to individual municipalities, recycling associations and First Nation communities.

CIF and RPRA jointly consulted on CIF’s Windup Plan Amendment Proposal between October 4, 2022, and November 4, 2022. Visit the consultation page to learn more about the consultation process and to read the consultation report summarizing the stakeholder feedback received.

RPRA approved the proposal on December 7, 2022, conditional on the implementation of an opt-out process, which would allow any municipality, recycling association, and First Nation community to choose to receive their share of surplus funds rather than have their funds remitted to AMO upon the wind up of the CIF.

In approving CIF’s proposal to amend its Windup Plan with an opt-out provision, RPRA considered feedback received during the consultation process, and assessed whether the proposal was compliant with the Waste Diversion Transition Act, 2016 (WDTA) and the Minister’s directions and consistent with RPRA’s Wind-Up Guide.

AMO considered RPRA’s approval and opt-out provision requirement and resolved not to proceed with the transfer of CIF surplus funds. CIF has therefore withdrawn its Windup Plan Amendment proposal.

CIF will carry on operations until the end of 2023 and may consider extending its operations to the end of 2024, as per the current Windup Plan. Visit the CIF website for information on the implementation of the wind-up plan, including the Windup Plan Amendment Proposal, or contact the CIF for any operational inquiries.