Ottawa – Arab Canada News

The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, announced during his election campaign today that a Conservative-led government would end the ban on certain single-use plastic products, including plastic straws, which was imposed by the previous Liberal government.

In a statement made during a campaign stop, Poilievre said that the current ban is "illogical" and "confusing to consumers and small businesses," accusing the Liberal government of making symbolic decisions that do not actually address environmental issues.

Poilievre added: "We will not solve the plastic pollution crisis by targeting a drink straw or shopping bags, but through real investments in recycling technologies and fostering environmental innovation."

The previous Liberal government had imposed a phased ban on single-use plastic products since 2022, which included straws, plastic food utensils, and shopping bags, as part of efforts to reduce marine pollution and support the circular economy.

Poilievre's statement comes at a time when the pace of the election campaign is accelerating with the opening of early voting centers, amid intense competition between Conservatives and Liberals over voting intentions, with environmental, economic, and tax issues emerging as key topics of public debate.

While the Canadian Ministry of Environment did not issue an immediate comment on Poilievre's statements, the Liberal government has repeatedly defended the decision to ban as part of Canada’s commitment to protect the oceans and reduce plastic waste.

Environmental and climate change policies are expected to be one of the key points of contention between the parties as the date of the upcoming federal elections approaches.