Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pledged to dismantle key environmental measures introduced by the Liberal government, promising on Friday to end the federal ban on single-use plastics if elected. Speaking from a recycling facility in Montreal, Poilievre said the 2022 ban, which includes items such as plastic straws, grocery bags, and cutlery, was driving up food prices and increasing waste.
He also criticized the Liberals’ plan to standardize plastic packaging and labelling for recyclability, calling it a hidden “plastic tax” on food packaging. “Without plastic wrapping, fresh produce will spoil faster, leading to more food waste and higher grocery bills for families,” he argued.
The ban, enacted under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, remains in effect following a Federal Court challenge that deemed the “toxic” designation too broad. While the government appeals the decision, it continues to push ahead with plans to ensure that 60% of food packaging is made from recycled plastic by 2030.
Poilievre claimed the ban would cost the Canadian economy $1.3 billion over the next decade and burden average households by $400 annually. Although federal rules could be overturned by a new Conservative government, he acknowledged that several provinces and municipalities, including British Columbia and Montreal, already have local bans in place.
The Liberal government maintains that three million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually in Canada, with much of it ending up in landfills. It says the federal measures aim to shift Canada toward a circular plastics economy. However, Poilievre accused the Liberals of mimicking American environmental strategies, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump recently reversed a similar plastic straw ban.
Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Mark Carney campaigned from Niagara Falls, using the border setting to underscore Canada’s shifting relationship with the United States under Trump’s presidency. He emphasized the need for government leadership during economic crises, stating, “When the private sector retreats, government must step up.”
In Yamachiche, Quebec, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh unveiled his party’s Quebec platform, which includes plans for a national clean electricity grid and commitments to protect farmers and food sovereignty. He reaffirmed that no pipelines would cross Quebec without provincial consent and accused Carney of favoring the wealthy while cutting essential public services.
Singh reiterated that the NDP is the only party prioritizing working Canadians and said his fully costed platform would be released soon. Carney also announced that the Liberals will unveil their full platform on Saturday. As of now, none of the major parties have released complete budgeted policy documents.
