Health and environmental groups join suit to protect federal government's ability to fight plastic pollution crisis
Traditional and unrecognized territory of the Ottawa/Algonquin Anishnaabeg people – The legal battle will continue after a federal court ruled late last year overturning Canada's efforts to control plastic pollution. The case is expected to reach the Federal Court of Appeal in the coming months, with health and environmental groups stepping in to defend the Canadian government's ability to regulate plastic pollution to protect the environment and human health.
A coalition made up of the Canadian Association of Environmental Physicians, the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defense Canada, Greenpeace Canada and Oceana Canada, and represented by lawyers from Ecojustice, was granted permission to intervene in the appeal.
The announcement comes as the fourth round of negotiations on the International Plastics Agreement was concluded in Ottawa this week. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution aims to develop a legally binding international agreement to address the plastic pollution crisis.
Plastics are ubiquitous pollutants that threaten human health and the environment at every stage of their life cycle. Almost all plastics are made from fossil fuels. Once it enters the environment, it never disappears. They break down into smaller and smaller pieces, threatening the health of plants and animals, especially marine ecosystems. The human impact of this crisis is borne disproportionately by indigenous peoples and other frontline communities.
As this lawsuit makes clear, industry opposition to plastic regulation is out of touch with science and public opinion. At the international level, the last round of Plastics Treaty negotiations in Nairobi was attended by at least 143 industry lobbyists, and this trend continues, with industry interests and corporate interests in dire need of response to this environmental emergency. It highlights how global solutions are at risk.
Ecojustice attorney Lindsey Beck said:
“There is extensive evidence that plastics negatively impact the environment and human health at every stage of their lifecycle. You have taken the much-needed first step. canada environmental protection act (CEPA).
“We are once again going to court on behalf of our clients to defend this critical tool in the federal government’s efforts to combat the plastic pollution crisis. As the impacts of plastic pollution worsen and compound, communities We need ambitious and urgent action at local, national and international levels to protect society and the environment.”
Anthony Merante, Senior Plastics Campaigner at Oceana Canada said:
„It's no secret that plastic is destroying our oceans. It's not just in our own bloodstream, it's in the stomachs of whales, around the necks of seabirds, and in wildlife. Big plastic is in the water we drink and the fish we eat. Canada is yet to provide the large-scale solutions needed to address the plastic crisis. measures are required.”
Karen Wilsig, Senior Program Manager, Environment and Defense Canada.
“We look forward to joining the government’s appeal against the Big Plastics decision. Plastic is one of the most dangerous pollutants of our time. It harms the environment and our health. There is no doubt that the government was absolutely right to list plastic products as hazardous. Canada Environmental Protection Act. ”
Greenpeace Canada General Counsel Priyanka Vitthal said:
“As Plastics Treaty negotiations conclude in Ottawa, Canada needs to do more than ever to use its regulatory powers to align national strategies with global goals to address the global triple crisis and align policies with public calls to action.” There is science. The overwhelming majority of Canadians support strong government action to tackle the plastic crisis, countering polluters' attempts to block progress on real solutions. must be expressed.”
Dr. Melissa Lem, a family physician and president of the Canadian Association of Environmental Physicians, said:
“Plastics are everywhere in our daily lives, and this poses a serious health crisis. Health hazards occur at every stage of plastic production, use, and disposal. Chemicals have been linked to adverse health effects such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm. In this context, the Canadian government's designation of plastics as hazardous substances to better protect human health. That's absolutely right. The situation is urgent.“
Lisa Gue, national policy manager at the David Suzuki Foundation, said:
“As countries around the world gathered in Ottawa last week to end plastic pollution, the stakes are clear: Plastics are harmful to human health and the environment. was right. We hope that the court will uphold the listing of manufactured plastic products under the Canada Environmental Protection Act and that the government will move forward to expand the ban on harmful single-use plastics as soon as possible. doing.“
media contact
Laura Bergamo, Head of Media, Greenpeace Canada
1-438-928-5237; (email protected)
Zoryana Cherwick, Communication Strategist | Ecojustice
1-800-926-7744 extension 277,(email protected)
Lauren Thomas, Senior Communications Manager, Environment and Defense Canada
647-687-2687; (email protected)
Vaishali Dassani, Communications and Media Manager, Oceana Canada
647-294-3335; (email protected)
Image illustration: Ja'miil Millar