Toronto city council defers plan to consider privatized garbage collection in Scarborough

Mayor John Tory introduced a surprise motion Tuesday, deferring plans to consider privatizing garbage collection in Scarborough.

City council voted 40-4 in favour of the mayor's motion, which asked city staff to gather more information about the issue. The vote came as a major relief for the dozens of CUPE Local 416 employees, who lined the public gallery at city hall.

Tory's plan to allow private companies to compete with unionized workers for a six-year contract to pick up waste east of Victoria Park Avenue faced sharp criticism from many councillors.

The mayor admitted council was divided on the matter and it would have been a controversial decision.

More to come