Bill C-380

An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (plastic manufactured items)

Sponsor

Corey Tochor Conservative

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Defeated, as of Dec. 4, 2024

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Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to delete plastic manufactured items from the list of toxic substances in Schedule 1 to that Act.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-380s:

C-380 (2017) Promotion of Local Foods Act

C-380 (2011) Ban on Shark Fin Importation Act

C-380 (2010) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda)

C-380 (2009) An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda)

Votes

Dec. 4, 2024 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-380, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Plastic manufactured items)

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-380 seeks to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, by removing "plastic manufactured items" from the list of toxic substances. Proponents argue that the ban on single-use plastics is unconstitutional, harmful to the economy, ineffective in addressing pollution, and detrimental to public health due to the increased use of alternatives. Opponents maintain that the bill would undermine efforts to reduce plastic pollution, protect wildlife, and transition to a circular economy for plastics management.

Conservative

Oppose plastic ban: The Conservative party is against the Liberal government's ban on single-use plastics, arguing that it is bad for people's health and pocketbooks, and also bad for the environment.
Plastic is not toxic: The Conservatives argue that plastic manufactured items do not rightfully belong on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act list as a toxic substance, as it was never intended to be an environmental management tool. They assert that listing the entire category of plastic manufactured items without a chemical risk assessment is a serious violation of the act.
Recycling is the solution: The Conservatives believe Canada should be a superpower in recycling plastics, suggesting investment in technology and partnership with provinces and private entities to increase and scale up recycling efforts. They advocate for managing, reusing, and recycling plastic waste rather than implementing bans.
Negative economic impact: The Conservative speakers state that the plastic ban will have negative economic impacts, like added costs to the Canadian economy, increased costs for food packaging, and detrimental effects on the thousands of families who rely on those working in the plastic manufacturing industry.

NDP

Against repealing plastics regulations: The NDP is against this bill, believing that regulating plastics, especially single-use plastics, is essential for addressing the harms to the ecosystem, human health, the environment, and the climate.
Liberals not acting fast enough: The NDP criticize the Liberal government for failing to implement a national strategy against plastic pollution, despite all-party agreement and international commitments to be plastic-free by 2030.
End fossil fuel subsidies: The NDP would end all public financing and subsidies of petrochemical companies, arguing that corporations profiting from pollution should not receive government handouts.
Conservatives deny science: The NDP accuses the Conservatives of attacking science, muzzling scientists, lacking a climate plan, and being unserious about addressing climate change and pollution.

Bloc

Opposes bill C-380: The Bloc Québécois opposes Bill C-380, viewing it as an abandonment of legitimate policy objectives and a complete elimination of the main regulatory measure for addressing single-use plastics.
Supports government's appeal: The Bloc Québécois agrees with the government's approach to appeal the Federal Court's decision to overturn the order on plastics, as they believe the decision was wrong. They would demand the government review any environmental policy deemed unconstitutional, and respect Quebec's environmental sovereignty.
Criticizes Conservative's position: The Bloc Québécois criticizes the Conservative Party's denial of environmental issues, specifically regarding plastic pollution, its harmful effects, and the need for action.
Favors circular economy: The Bloc Québécois favors Quebec's focus on the circular economy, facilitated by Recyc-Québec, and the principle of extended producer responsibility, contrasting it with the Conservative's extractivist economic model.

Liberal

Bill is opposed: The Liberal party unequivocally opposes Bill C-380. Removing "plastic manufactured items" from the list of toxic substances would undermine regulatory actions aimed at preventing plastic pollution, which is a concern for the vast majority of Canadians.
Canadians concerned about plastics: Polls show that over 90% of Canadians are concerned about the impact of plastic pollution on oceans and wildlife, and most feel that a single-use plastic ban is an effective way to reduce plastic waste.
Need federal leadership: Federal leadership, via concrete regulatory action, is essential to effectively prevent plastic pollution. Listing plastic manufactured items on schedule 1 of CEPA is critical and should be kept intact.
Supports a circular economy: The Liberal government is supporting Canadian businesses to spur innovation and the development of technologies that address issues such as reuse and difficult-to-recycle film and flexible plastic to promote a plastics circular economy.

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Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Private Members' Business

November 28th, 2024 / 6:05 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

I will verify that.

I have confirmed that the member had the full five minutes. That is the clock we guide ourselves by.

The hon. parliamentary secretary for the government House leader is rising on a point of order.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Private Members' Business

November 28th, 2024 / 6:05 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Madam Speaker, I suspect if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to see the clock as 6:30 p.m. so we can get back to Government Orders.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Private Members' Business

November 28th, 2024 / 6:05 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes

Is that agreed?

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Private Members' Business

November 28th, 2024 / 6:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

The House resumed from November 28 consideration of the motion that Bill C-380, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (plastic manufactured items), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Private Members' Business

December 4th, 2024 / 3:50 p.m.

The Speaker Greg Fergus

It being 3:53 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-380 under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #909

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999Private Members' Business

December 4th, 2024 / 4:20 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

I declare the motion defeated.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, the time provided for Government Orders will be extended by 12 minutes.