Poilievre promises to scrap single-use plastics ban and bring back the plastic straw

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made a bold promise to overturn the federal government’s ban on single-use plastics if elected. During a campaign stop in Montreal, Poilievre criticized the Liberals’ plastics ban, calling it a move driven by cost and control rather than genuine environmental concern.

Poilievre emphasized that the ban on single-use plastics, including items like plastic straws and disposable grocery bags, was more about symbolism than science. He argued that the ban was a way for the government to feel good about themselves while punishing Canadians with higher costs.

The Liberal government introduced the ban in 2022 as part of its zero plastic waste by 2030 initiative. The ban targeted six categories of single-use plastics that account for about three percent of Canada’s annual plastic waste. However, the ban faced legal challenges and was ultimately overturned by the Federal Court in November 2023.

Despite the court’s ruling, the federal government obtained a stay from the Federal Court of Appeal in 2024, allowing the ban to remain in place pending further legal proceedings. The appeal was heard in June, but a final decision is still pending.

In addition to overturning the ban on single-use plastics, Poilievre has also criticized the Liberal government’s proposed packaging rules. These rules aim to eliminate unnecessary packaging, ensure plastic-free packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, and increase the use of recyclable content in food packaging. Poilievre claims that these changes will cost Canadian households an additional $400 per year on groceries.

The Conservative leader argues that only one percent of single-use plastics end up in the environment each year, with the majority being recycled. However, Statistics Canada reports that more than 40,000 tonnes of plastic leak into Canada’s physical environment annually, highlighting the need for effective waste management strategies.

Poilievre’s pledge to bring back plastic straws follows in the footsteps of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order banning paper straws. The issue of paper versus plastic straws has been a contentious one, with conservatives like Trump and Canadian MPs criticizing paper straws as ineffective and unpopular.

Despite the backlash, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has defended the ban on single-use plastics, citing the availability of affordable alternatives. Carney emphasized the importance of making independent decisions in Canada and not simply following the lead of other countries.

As the debate over single-use plastics continues, Canadians will have to consider the environmental impact, cost implications, and practicality of different packaging options. The outcome of the legal battle over the plastics ban will ultimately shape the future of waste management policies in Canada.