Fort Frances is the first community in northwestern Ontario to move forward with a ban on plastic shopping bags.
Town council gave approval towards a 2021 ban at their meeting Monday night.
Enforcement would begin in 2022.
Councillor Doug Judson, who spearheaded the effort, hopes businesses will comply by the time the ban comes.
“I recognize that some of the alternative products may come at higher prices than existing stock. But our expectation is that by curbing consumer behaviour will reduce demand for single use bags across the board so that fewer are actually required.”
Judson says they have to pull the trigger on this issue, noting he believes two years is a very generous timeline for businesses to adapt.
Councillor Mike Behan would have preferred a voluntary ban but hopes their actions spur other municipalities and even the province and federal governments to act.
Mayor June Caul says they owe it to future generations to make the change.
The ban on plastic shopping bags is not coming without some opposition from business.
Scott Krienke-Turvey of Inks Spots told council before the vote he didn’t understand the rush.
“99% of plastics that go in landfills are not plastic bags and have nothing to do with single-use packaging in order to get it out the door. Most of it is water bottles.”
He stresses he hasn’t raised his prices in six years of business, stressing he will now have to charge more in order to accommodate new bags.
Krienke-Turkey also noted similar bans in Sioux Lookout and Geraldton were later withdrawn.
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