Sioux Lookout Bans Plastic Bags

What started as a voluntary ban has ended with Ontario’s first ever ban on the use of plastic bags.
By a 5-2 vote, Sioux Lookout Council has voted in favour of eliminating plastic bags.
Mayor Kathy Poling says there will be a 12-month phase-in period to allow for public education.
The grace period will also help businesses with next Summer’s busy tourism season.
Its estimated that 750,000 to 1-million plastic bags are either left on Town streets or dumped in the Landfill site a year.
Poling says fines for violating the by-law have not been approved, but would be set at $150 for a first offence and $500 for a third offence.
Poling says Council should be commended for making a decision before the Municipal Election.
She notes this group raised the issue, so it should be this one to make a final decision.
Poling won’t be in next Month’s Municipal election but says she hopes other communities follow their lead.
Dryden resident Michelle Arsenault worked closely with the Sioux Lookout Environmental Committee to get the process started.