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Esquimalt looks into instating plastic bag ban

The township will now seek public consultation on how to bring the bylaw into effect
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The Township of Esquimalt is considering adopting Victoria’s plastic bag ban bylaw (Kristyn Anthony/News Staff)

The Township of Esquimalt is looking into banning plastic bags after deciding to see how the bylaw would roll out in Victoria.

In a council meeting on Monday, council unanimously approved to research the idea, and directed staff to write a report on the best way to gather public consultation.

“It was very good and quite quick,”said Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins. “Esquimalt is its own community, so we have to look at the nuances of that.”

ALSO READ: Plastic bag ban guidelines unclear, local businesses say

When Victoria started developing the bylaw in early 2018, Esquimalt passed a motion that stated, “Once Victoria evaluates the effectiveness of its bylaw within one year of its implementation, Esquimalt will review options that encourage the reduction of single-use plastic bags and consider drafting a bylaw to that effect.”

READ MORE: Esquimalt not rushing onto plastic bag ‘banned’ wagon

Since then, Desjardins said Esquimalt has seen a lot of promise.

“Everyone was waiting to find out the results of the legal challenge, and how that would square out,” she said, referring to a B.C. Supreme Court case that Victoria won against the Canadian Plastic Bag Association. “With Victoria winning, that created the opportunity to look further at banning single use plastic bags.”

ALSO READ: BC Supreme Court rules in favour of Victoria’s plastic bag ban

Desjardins said a timeline for Esquimalt has not yet been established, but council anticipates hearing back from staff in the early new year.

Saanich is also looking into adopting a similar bylaw, with an aim of having it implemented by June 2020.

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com


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