Sued by Big Plastic, feds forge ahead with global treaty on plastic pollution
Canada has joined a new coalition of countries pushing for more stringent international rules on plastic — despite facing a lawsuit at home over new rules to tackle the problem. Photo by Alex Tétrault
Canada has joined a global coalition of countries pushing for an international treaty to tackle the world's plastic pollution crisis. Led by Norway and Rwanda, the group of 20 countries will advocate for rules to reduce plastic production and eliminate plastic pollution by 2040.
The decision comes as the federal government faces two lawsuits from a group of major plastic manufacturers over domestic rules to reduce plastic pollution, including a recent ban on six single-use plastic items.
World leaders in February agreed to start working on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution, with official negotiations starting this fall. They hope to reach an agreement in two years. Environmentalists warn any agreement must include strong measures — including limits on plastic manufacturing — to be effective.