Saanich won’t ban plastic bags just yet

Saanich council has voted by a slim margin to take a wait-and-see approach on banning plastic shopping bags.

In November, a Saanich committee recommended council obtain legal advice on a possible ban.

On Feb. 5, Saanich council voted 5-4 against getting legal advice on a proposed ban until case law on the issue can be established by a court, said Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell

Oak Bay and Esquimalt have also decided to take a wait-and-see approach.

Last month, Victoria council voted to ban businesses from distributing plastic shopping bags. Under the Victoria bylaw, which will take effect July 1, businesses will not be permitted to provide customers with single-use plastic bags. There will be a charge for paper bags and reusable bags, and enforcement with fines beginning in 2019.

An advocacy group has since petitioned the B.C. Supreme Court to quash the city’s bag ban bylaw. The city does not have the jurisdiction under the Community Charter to prohibit businesses from providing plastic bags to their customers, says the petition filed in court in Vancouver by the Canadian Plastic Bag Association.

Called the Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw, Victoria’s legislation aims to reduce the number of bags that end up in landfills, on beaches and in the ocean, where they gradually break down into tiny pieces that are eaten by marine life.

The list of exemptions for Victoria’s ban is lengthy.

Under its bylaw, plastic bags will be permitted for loose bulk items such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains or candy; small hardware such as nuts and bolts; frozen foods, meat, poultry and fish; bakery goods not already packaged; flowers, potted plants; prepared foods; prescription drugs; live fish; protection for bed linens, bedding or any large item that can’t easily fit in a reusable bag; newspapers or other printed material left at a residence or business; and clothing after it has been professionally laundered.