[W. K. Lis]

Ontario government proposing ban on single-use plastics

From link.

Ontario is weighing a ban on single-use plastics as part of a broader strategy to send less waste to landfills.

Nearly a tonne of waste per person in Ontario is generated each year, and the rate at which that waste is diverted away from landfills – through recycling and composting, for example – has stalled around 30 per cent for the past 15 years.

The government recently released a discussion paper on reducing litter and waste, and is asking the public and stakeholders for input on how to best address the problem. One question it asks is if a ban on single-use plastics would be effective in reducing plastic waste.

Environment Minister Rod Phillips said it’s an area in which the government is very open.

“We are essentially saying, ‘How would those work and how have they worked in other jurisdictions effectively?”‘ Phillips said in an interview. “Plastics is a priority from our government’s point of view, particularly as we talk about plastics in our waterways.”

It is estimated that almost 10,000 tonnes of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes each year, the discussion paper says. Ontario’s Blue Box recycling program recovers only about 28 per cent of all plastic packaging in the province.

Ontario is also mulling a deposit return system for plastic bottles and other containers, as is used in some other provinces.

Keith Brooks, programs director at Environmental Defence, said a lot of single-use plastics are unnecessary, pointing to straws and cutlery.

But by asking such a broad question, the answer may be no, Brooks cautioned, saying he didn’t think any jurisdiction has banned all single-use plastics.

“There’s some single-use plastics that are probably going to continue to be used…for food safety reasons and things like that,” he said, though he would push for them to be standardized and recyclable.

But by asking such a broad question, the answer may be no, Brooks cautioned, saying he didn’t think any jurisdiction has banned all single-use plastics.

“There’s some single-use plastics that are probably going to continue to be used…for food safety reasons and things like that,” he said, though he would push for them to be standardized and recyclable.

Shifting the Blue Box recycling program to full producer responsibility is estimated to save municipalities over $125 million annually, the discussion paper says.

The province is also looking at harmonizing what is accepted in Blue Boxes, as different municipalities accept different materials. Ontario may also allow more items to be collected through Blue Box programs, including small and large appliances, power tools, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent bulbs and clothing.

Doug's late brother, Rob Ford, must be rolling over in his grave.

Remember:

City Hall puts 'final nail in the coffin' of five-cent plastic bag fee: Mayor Ford

See link, from 2013.

More likely, Doug Ford has not yet read the "discussion paper". When he does (if he can read on his own), he'll likely put a stop to it.

 

[EagleEye]

Ontario government proposing ban on single-use plastics

From link.













Doug's late brother, Rob Ford, must be rolling over in his grave.

Remember:

City Hall puts 'final nail in the coffin' of five-cent plastic bag fee: Mayor Ford

See link, from 2013.

More likely, Doug Ford has not yet read the "discussion paper". When he does (if he can read on his own), he'll likely put a stop to it.

This comes as a surprise to me, he usually doesn't care about such things

 

[Videodrome]

Doug cares about the environment? Wow...

 

[W. K. Lis]

Ontario government proposing ban on single-use plastics

From link.













Doug's late brother, Rob Ford, must be rolling over in his grave.

Remember:

City Hall puts 'final nail in the coffin' of five-cent plastic bag fee: Mayor Ford

See link, from 2013.

More likely, Doug Ford has not yet read the "discussion paper". When he does (if he can read on his own), he'll likely put a stop to it.

The definition of a "discussion paper" is (from link):

A "discussion paper" is a quantitative depiction of a specified topic, including but not limited to, a summary of applicable objections and appropriate conclusions drawn from the project. The root cause of a discussion paper is to understand a given topic more fully for a committee or commission's review.​

​

The underpinning of a discussion paper is to gain an appreciation of both sides of an argument after the pros and cons of a decision are considered. For example, a student might write a discussion paper denoting opportunities of information technology upgrades. An example of a pro would be the ease of use and more friendly user interface screens. A con might be the cost.​

Which means it will be discussed by the PC caucus, but Doug will ignore it.

 

[PinkLucy]

Maybe they snuck this environmental move in while Doug was away.

 

[Northern Light]

Doug cares about the environment? Wow...

Which means it will be discussed by the PC caucus, but Doug will ignore it.

Actually, I think something may well come of this..........though don't expect the world...........

What the current government is most enthused about is saving $$$; that's what this proposal is about.....which is removing the gov't subsidy associated with blue box programs, and mandated some variation of manufacturer/retailer responsibility for generated waste.

I won't be overly optimistic, given the track record of this government thus far.............but with an open mind I'll accept a good result even if the motivation isn't altruistic.

 

[Thorns_Embrace]

If Doug Ford institutes a plastic ban all credibility he has with the small government advocates will be gone.

 

[adma]

I can't help thinking that this is more the kind of initiative that would have come across the table had Patrick Brown remained leader--and, for that matter, given that he's one of the more moderate/adult-in-the-room MPPs, I'm wondering whether Rod Phillips is setting himself up as a potential successor should DoFo implode...

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Just going to drop these in here.

Arrest made in threats against MPP Lisa MacLeod | CBC News

An Ottawa woman is facing charges of criminal harassment and uttering threats against Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod, Ottawa police confirmed Thursday afternoon.

www.cbc.ca

Lisa MacLeod rushed out of event by security detail | CBC News

The province's minister of children, community and social services was rushed out of a Friday morning event at Ottawa City Hall by her OPP security detail.

www.cbc.ca

What's so new about that - other than to categorically denounce this sort of violence.

Threats against Wynne range from the bizarre to the serious, documents reveal

Since 2013, Premier Kathleen Wynne has been threatened with beheading over changes to the province’s sex-ed curriculum, and told she should “catch a bullet” for her…

ottawacitizen.com

I am sure you are familiar with the commentary.

AoD

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

From the Star:

York Region Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique named next OPP commissioner, says he has ‘no relationship whatsoever’ with Ford

Carrique will serve a three-year term and will start April 8.

www.thestar.com

York Region again.

AoD

 

[lenaitch]

From the Star:

York Region Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique named next OPP commissioner, says he has ‘no relationship whatsoever’ with Ford

Carrique will serve a three-year term and will start April 8.

www.thestar.com

York Region again.

AoD

Again? Perhaps a reference to Juli? He was a lot of places (Toronto, London, York) before the OPP.

 

[Videodrome]

So, Doug is a big government guy after all! This cracking down on cell phones in class is something the individual school districts could take care of.

 

[PinkLucy]

I think most schools already make those decisions.

 

[Videodrome]

Emmett Macfarlane @EmmMacfarlane
2h
If I have the details right, staff in an MPP's office called the police because a young child with autism was playing with the blinds.

Police called to MPP’s office during peaceful protest

This article has been updated to add quotes and additional photo/video content. CORNWALL, Ontario – Police were called to a peaceful protest among two mothers, one grandmother and three 5-year-old…

www.cornwallseawaynews.com

For the people!

 

[gabe]

Sounds like it was a pretty dangerous situation.