THUNDER BAY — A member of city council says it's time for Thunder Bay to consider a ban on plastic bags and other single-use plastic products.
But Aldo Ruberto says there's work to be done, including researching legalities and gathering community input.
The Town of Fort Frances is among the communities that have already taken decisive action.
On Monday night its council unanimously approved a resolution to adopt a by-law that will prohibit distributing plastic bags at store checkouts, prohibit the distribution of single-use foam food containers, and require that plastic drinking straws be provided only on request.
The plan was initiated by Coun. Douglas Judson.
It followed six months of consultation with stakeholder groups including local business organizations.
The by-law, to take effect Jan.1, 2021, will include a provision for fines of $100 to $10,000 for businesses, and $50 to $500 for individuals.
However, in order to allow time for people to change their practices, the fines won't be enforced until Jan. 1, 2022.
Ruberto plans to present a resolution asking city administration to study a similar ban in Thunder Bay.
He said the city's intergovernmental affairs committee is already discussing the idea.
"We have to look into the legalities first. What powers does the city have? Can we tell the retail sector what they can and cannot do? I think we can," Ruberto told Tbnewswatch.
He said he's encouraged to hear that Fort Frances has already determined it has the legal authority.
Ruberto believes there's already a lot of support in the community for reducing plastic waste.
"Plastic bags wind up in our landfill, they wind up on the road, you see them floating around downtown, just about anywhere. We've gotta stop this," he said.
Speaking for EarthCare Thunder Bay's climate adaptation working group, chair Aynsley Klassen said "We'd be absolutely supportive. I think it's a direction that we're headed in, and the sooner we can get there the more positive outcomes we'll have."
Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Charla Robinson said the chamber doesn't have an official position as yet on a potential prohibition on single-use plastic products.
"If it starts to become a public conversation then our members would become more engaged...I haven't heard from them one way or another on whether they would support it or not support it," Robinson said.
She added that the chamber will likely wait for any recommendations that might come through city council or EcoSuperior.
"You need time for stakeholders to become aware of the conversation. It should be transparently managed so that the community can have their say before any policy change. I think the community is ready for that conversation," Robinson said.
The federal government last year announced it plans to ban single-use plastic products by 2021, but details are still being worked out.
In addition to the impact on the environment, community leaders across northwestern Ontario have noted that the amount of discarded plastic is shortening the life expectancy of their local landfill sites.
