PLASTIC BAG BAN PLAN ON HOLD
City council's quest to formally rid the Prince George's checkout stands of plastic bags has been put on hold.
City council members unanimously agreed during the Oct. 23 meeting to wait until a provincial government public consultation on the issue has been completed before taking any concrete steps.
The consultation was launched after the Canadian Plastic Bag Association convinced the B.C. Supreme Court to overturn a ban imposed by the City of Victoria. The court found the ban was outside municipal jurisdiction because the purpose is to protect the natural environment and that is a provincial responsibility.
“It's expected that by late 2019, further direction and guidance will be given by the province on the jurisdiction and powers of local government in regulating plastic waste and single-use plastic bags,” Engineering and Public Works General Manager Dave Dyer told council. “City staff will prepare a report to council once this direction is announced to consider next steps.”
In July, council unanimously endorsed Coun. Murry Krause's proposal to direct staff to draft a report on how best to “regulate” single-use plastic bags.
In deciding to take a wait-and-see approach, council also directed staff to develop a public education campaign on the issue. Cost of such a campaign is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.
According to a staff report, Prince George residents go through an estimated 14.8 million plastic checkout bags a year.