Plastics ban appears to be coming at wrong time

One of the challenges for any government is what is referred to as “getting your message out.”

For example, with so many different media stories in circulation last week, the announcement regarding the potential ban of certain single-use plastics may have been missed.

The government was announcing the list of items it hopes to ban by the end of 2021. The list included grocery store bags, straws, coffee stir sticks, six-pack can rings, plastic cutlery and certain food takeout containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics.

As is often the case with most government announcements, concerns have already been raised.

To legally facilitate this ban, the government has suggested it will add these plastics to the “toxic substances list” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

However, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada has pointed out that these types of plastics are not toxically harmful in the same manner that substances such as mercury, asbestos and lead are.

This creates a challenge for the government with the classification.

Another concern that has been raised stems from trade-related issues.

An outright ban on these plastics may contradict principles of the recently renegotiated NAFTA deal, now commonly known as CUSMA (Canada United States Mexico Agreement).

There is some debate on the legitimacy of these trade-related concerns, however it is clear that some consultation will be required.

The broader level of concern is understandably from the food and beverage industries, given that there is currently a pandemic and we are witnessing a greater public safety-related reliance on single-use plastics compared to more normal times.

It has also been communicated to me that, during a crisis, singleuse plastic may be necessary in a range of areas, from seniors care homes to helping to feed wildfire firefighters and other emergency responders.

It is critically important that alternatives to single-use plastics are readily and affordably available considering there will be a significant uptake in demand.

As many of these alternatives will likely be made from wood or cardboard, I see a long-term economic benefit to parts of my riding, and to British Columbia in general, given that our forest industry could play an active role in this.

Consultation will be important, as will a timeline that respects the pandemic and the ability for alternative products to become readily available.

What are your thoughts on this proposed ban of single use plastics?