The federal government has quietly moved to keep Canadian factories producing straws, bags and other single‑use plastics — but only for shipment to the United States.
The move comes as Ottawa continues fighting a court ruling that struck down its attempt to label all plastics as toxic.
According to Blacklock's Reporter, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin issued the legal notice on Saturday, confirming cabinet will permit manufacturing for export despite the pending appeal. Her department said the shift is meant to limit economic fallout after a judge ruled in 2023 that Ottawa overreached in blacklisting every plastic product under federal environmental law.
In a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, the department said the amendments were necessary to avoid major losses in a sector that generates $35 billion in annual sales, including $14.9 billion in exports — almost all headed to the U.S. Officials noted that banning exports would not cut global pollution because foreign producers would simply fill the gap.