NDP calls for responsible use of plastics ahead of major UN conference in Canada

OTTAWA – On Monday, ahead of the United Nations’ fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-4) hosted by Canada, NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni) pressed the Liberal government to take greater leadership on responsible use of plastics, sustainable management of plastic waste and to protect aquatic environments.

“Plastic waste threatens our ecosystem, biodiversity and people’s health. Instead of reducing plastics, we are sadly making more in Canada,” said Johns. “Not only that. The Liberals continue to allow the shipment of plastic waste from Canada to countries in the Global South that don't have the infrastructure to manage it responsibly. This creates plastic waste slums endangering communities and marine life—this has to stop.”

In 2018, MP Johns successfully passed a motion to create a national strategy to combat plastic pollution. Following its unanimous approval by all parties in the House of Commons, the Liberals committed to ban single-use plastics but Johns says the job is not complete.

“While the Liberals committed to a single-use plastic ban, they can't get it done because they don’t have the courage to take on Big Oil and the chemical industry,” said Johns. “Don’t expect better from Pierre Poilievre who would rather protect the profits of Big Oil instead of holding them to account for the pollution they produce.

“Canadians are doing their part—they’re recycling and minimizing their usage of plastics. But the government must also do its part, ban single-use plastics, and stop plastic waste exports.”

Johns tabled a motion last week to close loopholes that allow Canada to export plastic waste through the USA, and to stop Canada from dumping waste into other countries' backyards.