Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Allen, I agree with you. The government has a very big responsibility when it comes to defending and protecting the environment. Now is not the time for education; now is the time for action. Everyone already has an overview of the situation. I would like a reality check.
In 2019, the current government promised to ban the use of certain single-use plastics. It was all very promising. In 2020, it imposed standards and penalties to hold companies that manufacture plastic, collect waste or recycle materials accountable. In 2021, the most widely used excuse of the decade was the pandemic. All of a sudden, there was nothing they could do to regulate plastic. However, when it came time to subsidize oil and gas companies to help them get through the economic crisis, plenty could be done. Then the government implemented a very partial regulation on only six of the hundreds of items in circulation. In addition, no ban on manufacturing or sales will be in effect until December 20, 2025. That is convenient, since it will not happen until after the next election, when we may have a new government.
Do you think these measures will really make a difference in terms of protecting the environment and recycling plastic?