Environment Committee on June 11th, 2026

Evidence of meeting #44 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pollution.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations

Members speaking

Before the committee

Rochman Associate Professor, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Scott Thurlow Senior Advisor, Government Affairs, Dow Canada

Ross Senior Scientist, Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Moffatt President and Chief Executive Officer, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

Wirsig Senior Program Manager, Plastics, Environmental Defence Canada

Merante Senior Plastics Campaigner, Oceana Canada

1:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema

Okay.

Mr. Bonin, you have the floor.

June 11th, 2026 / 1:10 p.m.

Bloc

Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC

Witnesses have clearly said there are significant health issues. It's related to this lift of the plastic export ban. There are also environmental issues.

We would be ready to make ourselves available for an hour, well before the fall, to talk about this, because there are legitimate questions being asked. We're here to protect people's health and the environment.

The minister was unfortunately unable to make herself available, but the Bloc Québécois is ready to work and make itself available at any time, well before September. I'd be very open to the idea of sending a meeting notice so we can meet with the minister for an hour and discuss this important health and environmental issue.

1:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema

Thank you very much, Mr. Bonin.

Mr. Ross.

1:15 p.m.

Conservative

Ellis Ross Conservative Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Madam Chair, that was a very intriguing discussion over the two hours. There were things disclosed that I had no idea about. It opened my eyes in terms of how bad this problem is not just in Canada but also globally.

I think we've pretty much debated the full extent of Canada's ban, the exemptions to the ban and the export of pellets to other countries to produce products, but we haven't really gotten a clear answer on Canada's global commitments, not just in terms of exports but also in terms of importing products from different countries around the world that don't have the same environmental standards. How will this be compliant or consistent with what Canada has been proposing, as well as with what Canadians want, overall?

I'm in full favour of keeping this open until the minister can come to present.

1:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema

Let's take it to a vote.

All those in favour of delaying the drafting of the report and inviting the minister, please raise your hands.

1:15 p.m.

Conservative