SAINT JOHN, NB - Mayor Ivan Court says a user-pay system for garbage removal is nothing more than a tax break for the rich, which comes at the expense of most home owners in Saint John.

A motion passed last night moves the city another step closer to such a system.

Paul Groody, Commissioner of Municipal Operations, delivered a report to council last night, and said a user-pay system would shave seven cents off the tax rate, while home owners would be charged based on volume.

Court doesn't like the fact that those with assessed value of more than $250,000 will save money, while others will pay more.

"The bulk of the people of Saint John, the ordinary citizens, are not getting a tax break," Court says. "We're going to be robbing them from one pocket and putting it into somebody else's. Who are we putting it into? Those who can afford to pay."

Councillors Bruce Court and Bill Farren agreed, while the rest of council supported a motion which calls for council to consider the merits of a user-pay system for residential solid waste service, and have a strategy developed.

Other councillors insisted that curb-side recycling be put in place in order to help residents reduce waste, and in turn save money.