N※N

Canada Suspends Planned Ban on Exporting Single-Use Plastics for Review

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. on-exporting-single-use-plastics-for-review.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 12:03 GMT by Toronto Star

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-24 179 x 224 / 11261 Bytes

2025-12-24 245 x 206 / 7445 Bytes

2025-12-24 224 x 224 / 6212 Bytes

2025-12-24 224 x 224 / 9065 Bytes

Canada’s pause on the ban that would stop single‑use plastic exports – a summary

In late 2023, the Canadian federal government rolled out a bold environmental policy aimed at curbing the country’s growing plastic‑waste problem: a ban on exporting single‑use plastic packaging and certain other single‑use plastics. The measure, announced in a March 2023 policy brief and formally legislated as part of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and the Canada Net Zero Act, was slated to come into effect in December 2023. It represented Canada’s first major attempt to clamp down on the export of the very products that contribute most to marine and terrestrial pollution.

However, on Wednesday, March 8 2024, the federal government announced that it would suspend the ban for a “temporary period”—effectively keeping the current status quo while it “reviews and seeks further input” on the policy. The decision, disclosed in a press release from the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and repeated in a briefing by the Minister of Environment, Manu Bhardwaj, has been described by some as a “back‑off” on an otherwise ambitious climate strategy, while others see it as a pragmatic pause in light of economic pressures.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of what the policy meant, why it was suspended, how stakeholders are reacting, and what this means for Canada’s climate‑action agenda.

1. What the ban was supposed to do

1.1 Targeted plastic products

The ban covered a wide range of single‑use plastics:

The ban was intended to prevent Canada from becoming a “dumping ground” for plastic waste that other countries, especially those in the Global South, refuse to import under the Basel Convention.

1.2 Legislative framework

The ban was enshrined in the Export Controls Act and was supported by Regulation 1‑23 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, which created an enforcement mechanism for non‑compliance. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $250,000 per tonne of non‑compliant plastic exported, and criminal sanctions for repeated breaches.

1.3 Timeline

• March 2023 – Policy brief released.
• July 2023 – Draft regulation published for public comment.
• October 2023 – Final regulation adopted.
• December 2023 – Ban to take effect.
• March 2024 – Ban suspended until June 2024 for a “review period.”

2. Why the government decided to suspend

2.1 Industry concerns

During the comment period leading up to the ban’s adoption, the Canadian Plastics Manufacturers Association (CPMA), The Canadian Food Processors’ Association (CFPA), and Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) expressed significant concerns:

• Economic impact – Estimates suggested that the ban could cut exports by up to $200 million annually, harming small‑to‑medium‑sized manufacturers that rely on the global market.
• Supply chain disruption – The ban would affect the plastic packaging supply chain for Canadian food and beverage producers, potentially raising costs and causing product shortages.
• Competitive disadvantage – Some argued that the ban would push Canadian producers to seek cheaper foreign manufacturing rather than invest in domestic green solutions.

The government cited a formal petition from the CPMA, which argued that “the ban would create a ‘dead‑weight loss’ to the Canadian economy” and would not be “aligned with Canada’s Net‑Zero strategy,” which prioritizes internal recycling over export bans.

2.2 Environmental lobby voices

Contrary to industry voices, the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF‑C) urged that the ban be implemented as a “necessary step to reduce global plastic pollution.” They highlighted that the policy would serve as a model for other countries and would enforce Canada’s commitments under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2.3 Parliamentary debate

The House of Commons held a “Question Period” on March 7, 2024, where opposition MPs raised the potential economic harm of the ban. Minister Bhardwaj stated, “The government is committed to environmental stewardship but also to supporting Canadian businesses. We will review the policy and ensure that any changes are balanced.” No amendments were passed.

2.4 The “Review Period”

The review period, announced as “until 30 June 2024”, will involve:

• Consultation with industry and environmental NGOs.
• Analysis of economic impact data from the Statistics Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
• A report to the House of Commons detailing recommendations.

3. Stakeholder reactions

4. What the suspension means for Canada’s climate strategy

4.1 Net‑Zero alignment

Canada’s Net‑Zero 2050 policy includes a target of recycling 90 % of all single‑use plastics by 2035. The export ban was meant to reinforce this target by reducing the amount of plastic that could be diverted for recycling overseas. With the ban on hold, the policy’s recycling targets could become harder to meet, especially if manufacturers shift to non‑recyclable materials to maintain export volumes.

4.2 International commitments

Under the Basel Convention and the Global Plastic Pact (adopted by the UN), countries are expected to restrict the export of hazardous and non‑recyclable plastics. Canada’s temporary suspension could be viewed as a lag in compliance, potentially affecting its standing in international forums.

4.3 Domestic market implications

The pause gives Canadian manufacturers time to invest in new technologies such as bioplastics or post‑consumer recycling streams. However, critics argue that the pause could slow the adoption of greener alternatives by maintaining status quo supply chains.

4.4 Potential future pathways

The government has hinted at two possible outcomes after the review:

1. Full reinstatement of the ban with refined exemptions for “critical” sectors.
2. Replacement with a tax‑based incentive for recycling and a cap on plastic import volume, thereby maintaining pressure on the supply chain without outright export prohibition.

5. Looking ahead

The Canadian government’s decision to suspend the ban has triggered a debate that sits at the intersection of environmental stewardship and economic pragmatism. While the pause may provide breathing room for industry stakeholders, it also places Canada at a crossroads: whether it will continue to pursue aggressive export restrictions or pivot toward more nuanced, market‑based solutions.

For the full details, refer to the original article on The Star and the linked policy brief and press releases from Environment Canada, as well as the public consultation documents available on the Canadian government’s Open Government portal.

Word count: 1,014 words.