On Wednesday, October 7, Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson released a list of specific items to be part of the federal government's single-use plastics ban in 2021. The list includes grocery checkout bags, straws, stir sticks, six-pack rings, plastic cutlery and food takeout containers made from hard-to-recycle plastics (like black plastic packaging).

OWSAG was shocked that single-use water bottles were not on the list nor was it mentioned in the discussion paper, A proposed integrated management approach to plastic products, on which the federal government is inviting feedback by December 9, 2020.

Eric Schiller, Founding Member of OWSAG, wrote a letter to Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson urging that single-use water bottles be included on the list and asking for an explanation as to why the banning of plastic water bottles has not been included on the list of plastics to be banned in 2021. Dr. Schiller also wrote asking if the Canadian Bottled Water Association or the Canadian Beverage Association lobbied the federal government to keep single-use water bottles off the list of banned plastics. Click 'Read More' at the bottom right to read Dr. Schiller's letters.

Here are 3 ways you can take action:
1. Write an email to Minister Wilkinson and the Director of the Plastics and Marine Litter Division of ECCC by using this template letter here.
2. Call  Minister Wilkinson (Parliament Hill office: 613-995-1225 / Constituency office in North Vancouver: 604-775-6333).
3. Share our posts from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Urge them to include single-use water bottles in the federal government's 2021 ban and ask them if the Canadian Bottled Water Association or the Canadian Beverage Association lobbied the government in its decision. The government is accepting comments until December 9, 2020.