By Canadian Press

Feds open to cutting plastic production but global agreement will be hard: Guilbeault

Jun 2, 2023 | 10:51 AM

OTTAWA — Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says he is not opposed to cutting back on how many plastic products are made as the world works toward a global treaty to eliminate plastic pollution.

But he says that may become one of the biggest sticking points in the negotiations, which are supposed to conclude at the end of next year.

The second round of those talks wrap up in Paris today and Guilbeault says Canada is going to host the next round about a year from now.

Environment groups say the only true way to eliminate plastic pollution is to make less plastic in the first place.

Canada has not formally backed those calls in the treaty talks but in an interview Guilbeault says he is “not opposed to it.”

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Guilbeault also says the government is about to announce new policies to prevent plastic waste from being exported from Canada without knowing what happens to it after that.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2023.

The Canadian Press