Did you know that at the end of January, Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal released its long-awaited decision confirming that the federal government has the authority to regulate plastic pollution?
This is a much-needed win in the fight against plastic pollution, as it reaffirms the legal basis for banning single-use plastics in Canada and reopens the door to bold and ambitious federal action on plastics.
To ensure the federal government accelerates the shift away from single-use plastics, Environmental Defence wants to launch a media campaign to raise public awareness and mobilize people across the country to pressure federal decision-makers in Ottawa. The sad reality is that harmful and often unnecessary plastic is still everywhere. Even when you buy necessities, such as groceries, it is almost impossible to avoid single-use plastics. And every day that the government delays taking action, more toxic plastic pollution ends up in our bodies, our waterways, and our ecosystems, harming both our health and that of our environment.
We must send a strong, clear message to the federal government that we expect them to:
- Expand the bans on single-use plastic items
- Eliminate harmful chemical additives used in plastics
- Require and support re-use and refill systems
We are in a critical moment to create substantive change. With enough public pressure, together we can push for the bold action needed to reduce plastic pollution, protect our health, and safeguard the environment for future generations.
Karen Wirsig.
