The city is preparing for next year when all Canadian cities are required to enforce bans on single-use plastic.
City Council formally voiced their support for eliminating single-use plastics across Ontario.
Red River Councillor Brian McKinnon said they want all cities in the province to participate in a ban, and wants support from the federal government.
“There has to be some movement somewhat quickly, and the Intergovernmental Committee is working with [the Association of Municipalities of Ontario] and [the Northern Ontario Municipal Association] to ensure this gets across the province and the other municipalities are doing the same thing,” McKinnon said Monday.
Current River Councillor Andrew Foulds pointed out it deserves extra thought during the pandemic, when many products and surfaces are covered by plastic to try to stop the spread of viruses.
I’m very concerned about health, but I’m wondering if there’s an alternative. Perhaps we need to do some education with the broader public on what are the alternatives to wrapping everything in a single-use plastic,” Foulds said.
The city is not creating a plastic ban yet until the province or federal governments announce their own plans.
