More than 20 manufacturers of plastic products are asking the Federal Court to end Ottawa’s plan to ban several single-use items, including straws, utensils and polystyrene take-out containers.
This is the second challenge before the courts of a group of manufacturers, the “Coalition for the Responsible Use of Plastics”.
The first challenge, filed in 2021, seeks to overturn the government’s decision to designate certain plastic products as “toxic” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault used the designation in his regulations banning the sale, import and production of six single-use plastic items, including bags, coffee stir sticks and twist ties. for cans and bottles.
In the second challenge, filed in mid-July, the coalition is asking the Federal Court to strike down the ban and stop the government from using the Environmental Protection Act to regulate single-use plastics. . Pending a decision on the merits, the manufacturers are asking the court to suspend the implementation of the federal ban.
Minister Guilbeault says he is convinced that the government’s regulations will be validated by the courts. He adds that he would rather work with industry to improve the recycling of these items than fight a legal battle.
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