Canada Bans Single-Use Plastic

Karen Wirsig, Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence made remarks at the announcement in Toronto, ON. Photo by: www.shaymarkowitz.com / Shay Markowitz

We finally did it! Canada’s single-use plastic bans are for real

Big news this week! With a series of live announcements held across the country, the federal government finally released the final regulations to ban six single-use plastics – straws, stir sticks, check out bags, cutlery, some takeout containers, and six pack rings. 

Pat yourself on the back. This is only happening because so many of us demanded it.

The bans will start to come into force this year, earlier than suggested in the draft regulations. The final rules also ensure that these harmful products can no longer be exported to other countries by the end of 2025. These improvements in the final regulations are the result of so many of us insisting on them.

Check out our Instagram Live and learn more about what the new single-use plastic bans mean, what they can accomplish and what still needs to be done.

By the end of 2022, companies will no longer be able to manufacture or import single-use plastic stir sticks, checkout bags, cutlery and certain takeout containers. The same rule will apply to six-pack rings in mid-2023. A year after the manufacture and import ban comes into effect, these items will no longer be allowed to be sold or given away with other products. Straws will continue to be available, but only in packages in retail stores intended for people who need them for medical and accessibility reasons.

The news was met with celebration, as these bans are an important first step in reigning in the plastic pollution crisis. But not everyone was feeling so joyous…

It’s sickening that the main producers of plastic in this country – including Nova Chemicals, Dow Chemical and Imperial Oil – are still trying to kill the government’s action on plastic pollution. Yes, the outrageous Big Plastic lawsuit against federal regulation of plastics is still before the courts. Now these same companies have sent a new round of letters to the government specifically to oppose the bans. 

Countries on every continent are imposing bans on plastic. It’s wonderful to see Canada join that club. 

By this time next year, we shouldn’t have to pick up any more used straws on the beach or fish plastic bags out of streams and tree branches. The government estimates that the bans will mean 1.3 million tonnes less of plastic waste over a ten-year period, and 22,000 tonnes less of plastic litter leaked directly into the environment. 

Of course there’s much more to do to end plastic pollution … including further bans on harmful single-use plastics and easy access to reusable and refillable packaging. And you can count on us to keep the pressure on to make sure these things happen – we hope you’ll join us. 

We’ll have more to announce on the next steps soon, so stay tuned!

- Karen Wirsig. Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence Canada

Learn more: https://environmentaldefence.ca/

A Prayer this Canada Day

Today, on Canada Day, O Creator,

We offer You gratitude for Canada’s great beauty,

for the power and the majesty of its land and waters.

As descendants of settlers and newcomers

we recognize the Indigenous Peoples

who have long cared for these lands and waters.

Creator, we ask for your guidance

as we commit once again to truth-seeking, to self-reflection,

and to building just and mutual understanding

between ourselves and Indigenous Peoples.

CANADA DAY - ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

July 1, Canada Day: From Another Perspective

Our hard-working Refugee Committee has had the privilege of welcoming and accompanying several individuals and families settle in Canada over the past 7 years. I invited 3 individuals to share the significance of becoming a Canadian Citizen.  Their names are withheld for privacy reasons, but their stories are uplifting and instructive.

One woman from Eritrea came to Canada through Cairo, a second woman fled Ethiopia to Cairo and then on to Canada, the third a young man who immigrated from Thailand. We feel blessed to have been a part of their journey, and share their feelings this Canada Day.

-Sister Ann Marshall, csj

Image: Unsplash/Hermes Rivera

1.       I have voted for the first time!  Canada is very important to me because I believe it is the most peaceful country in the world.  It is my country that gave me the freedom to speak and learn.  Above all, I have received equality, honor, and respect from this blessed country.  When I am in Canada, I feel much safer than in any other country. 

I want to say a lot, but I do not know enough words to describe my country, Canada, and the people in Canada.  God chose me to be a Canadian - who I could be.  I love Canada and everything about Canada and Canadians!

Image: Unsplash/Lewis Parsons

2.       Being a Canadian citizen to me is critical. Being a Canadian citizen means, being a person who has the freedom to travel in and outside the country with respect and safety, and always knowing that you would come back home at any time. As well as having access to more opportunities in the communities. For example, having the right to vote, and working in the parliament. In addition, speaking up for your rights against the government.

Image of Thailand: Unsplash/Panuson Norkaew

3.       This is what I have been feeling about citizenship. There is a tiny hole in my chest whenever people ask me "Where are you from?", I always answered, "I am from Thailand."  I also wanted to tell them that I'm not Thai but I am Burmese from Thailand. If I say it, it usually causes confusion, and I must explain to them why and how. So, I don't usually say it. Also, I am not really proud of myself for saying I am from Thailand because I am not a Thai citizen. I cannot really say I am Burma/Myanmar citizen either. 

I was born in Thailand and raised in a refugee camp. My parents are from Burma/Myanmar, which makes us a Burmese family. As a Burmese child who did not legally become a Thai citizen according to Thai law even though, I was born in Thailand. Also, I did not have Burma/Myanmar citizenship because I was not born in Burma/Myanmar. Legally speaking, I do not have a country until this. Now, I can say I am a Burmese Canadian proudly. Becoming a Canadian citizen will fill the tiny hole in my chest next time I get asked. I think this is why it is important to me to be a Canadian Citizen.

Memories of Lac Ste. Anne

With the anticipated visit of Pope Francis to Canada this summer, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location where he should spend time to meet with the natives and deliver an apology from the Catholic church for the harm that has happened in residential schools. 

Where can he stand to satisfy the desire of each nation traumatized by the harm done to the native children and their families?

Where can he voice apologies to all the people who suffered as students in residential schools?

I believe that Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta is the proper place for Pope Francis to deliver his message.  It is on the banks of Lac Ste. Anne’s sacred waters where many residential school survivors can gather.

Lac. Ste. Anne is a pivotal point; the Spirit blows to south, north, east, and west.

The Pope’s apology will blow in all directions to represent the tribes who will gather at the shrine.  Lac Ste. Anne is sacred ground with openness to reconciliation.  There will be more meaning to having the Pope’s apology given at Lac Ste. Anne than in his visiting a school here and a grave there; this is not the same as going to holy ground where people’s minds and hearts are open to reconciliation in a prayerful, peaceful atmosphere.

Lac Ste Anne is located 45 miles northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. It is an hour’s drive from the village of St. Albert to the waters of Lac Ste. Anne.  Years ago, in the mid-eighteen eighties, the Oblate Fathers, established a mission along the shores of God’s Lake which today is known as Lac Ste. Anne. Their mission was to serve the Cree Nation in the area.  In July 1889, the first annual pilgrimage to these sacred waters was founded and organized by the Oblate Fathers and the Cree of the mission. 

In 1974, I made the day-long trip from Yellowknife where I was a missionary to be present for the annual July 26th retreat pilgrimage at Lac St. Anne.  This was a special, important day when the native peoples brought their tents and travelled great distances from all directions to take part in the deeply spiritual celebrations. Throughout the years, Lac Ste. Anne become a widely known pilgrimage destination.

The native peoples have deep devotion to pilgrimages.  They leave their homes in great anticipation and travel in groups, often on foot, prayerfully singing and praying along the week-long route. They arrive just in time to celebrate the July 26th feast of St. Anne, who is referred to as the mother of Mary to whom Jesus was born.

Each day of the pilgrimage is hosted by the native communities: the National Aboriginal Parish (Edmonton), the Cree of Northern Alberta, communities from the NWT, northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the Blackfoot from Southern Alberta.  All the pilgrims join in the liturgy, singing and praising God in their own language.  The cacophony of sound produced by the various languages singing and praising together is an amazing, uplifting experience.

Spiritual activities that occur during the days of the pilgrimage include recitation of the rosary with each praying again in their own language. Stations of the cross are recited by the faithful and confessions are heard everywhere by the clergy.  A highlight of the entire days is the evening procession with a statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  It is adorned with flowers and rosaries and carried along a winding pathway.

Many bishops representing the northern dioceses attend the pilgrimage activities at Lac Ste. Anne, especially for the daytime ceremony of the blessing of the lake and its healing waters.  It was inspiring to see fully clad people and leaders walk into the sacred lake. People fill their gallon jugs with the blessed water to be taken to their homes.

First Nations people enjoy pilgrimages and celebrations.  It is a time to gather, share food and tell stories.  Feasting and fun are important parts of special occasions.  Caribou, smoked fish, and bannock are brought to every table. There is never a dull moment.  Children run around playing games, yelling, screaming, and enjoying life.  Tarps are at hand for any kind of weather.

Sister Mary Jo

In the late 1980s, Lac Ste. Anne became more widely known.  Vendors arrived to sell their wares on the outskirts of the beautiful sacred grounds.  This has resulted in more settlers visiting the area.  Consequently, people stray from the shrine to buy the cheap wares on display.  Despite this encroachment, the Native peoples have never lost their love for their grandmother, Saint Anne.

- Sister Mary Jo Fox

The schedule of Pope Francis’ visit to Canada has now been released, it can be viewed here.