This webinar explored a recent decision from the Federal Court of Appeal concerning federal plastics regulation in Canada. It was presented as part of a broader series examining regulatory developments, with this session focusing specifically on how legal frameworks are being used to address plastic pollution.
The discussion began by situating the case within Canada’s wider policy context, including national and international commitments to reduce plastic waste and adopt a lifecycle approach to plastics management. It then outlined the legal pathway used by the federal government to regulate plastics under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, including the listing of plastic-manufactured items as toxic and the introduction of related regulations.
The webinar also walked through the key issues raised in the litigation, including questions about the reasonableness of the federal government’s decision-making, the role of scientific evidence, and the constitutional division of powers between federal and provincial governments. It further addressed procedural elements such as the decision not to establish a board of review.
The session concluded with a brief discussion of what the decision means moving forward, including the current status of federal plastics regulations, the possibility of further appeals, and related developments such as the federal plastics registry. Participants were invited to continue following these issues through upcoming publications and future webinars.
Rewatch the webinar here.
Other related resources
Blopost: Maybe not the last (plastic) straw: Federal Court quashes federal order aimed at regulating “Plastic Manufactured Items”
Blogpost: Extended Producer Responsibility in Alberta: A Few Inches Forward
Feature Photo by tanvi sharma on Unsplash
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