File photo.
A consideration to ban single-use plastic bags will be discussed by Esquimalt council Monday night.
Councillors will look at a proposal for township staff to develop a timeline, work plan and budget to regulate single-use plastic bags, and prepare a process for public engagement.
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins says council has significant public support to move ahead with a plastic bag ban.
It is the latest community to follow Victoria’s lead to ban single-use plastic bags from checkout counters.
Victoria’s ban took effect July 1, with businesses required to charge customers at least 15 cents for a paper bag and up to one dollar for a reusable bag.
Those charges climb to 25 cents for a paper bag and $2 for a reusable bag in 2019.
Businesses have until Jan. 1 to get rid of their stock of plastic bags, with could be fined if still using them in 2019.
The B.C. Supreme Court ruled in Victoria’s favour to move forward with the ban after a challenge from the Canadian Plastic Bag Association earlier this year.
The association said the ban needed provincial approval for being an environmental regulation.
Saanich is looking at plans to ban single-use plastic bags in June 2020.
A single-use plastic bag ban takes effect March 1 in Parksville but does not cover such things as plastic for frozen foods and meat, bakery goods and dry cleaning.
The community is also delaying a $150 fine for not following the bylaw until March of 2020.
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