Two weeks after Calgary’s Single-Use Items Bylaw came into effect, city council has voted to start the process to repeal the bylaw.
The bylaw, which council approved last year, set a minimum fee of 15 cents for paper bags and $1 for reusable bags, and required businesses to only provide single-use utensils, cutlery, napkins and condiments by customer request.
City councillors received an update from city administration on the bylaw during Tuesday’s council meeting, but it was a motion from Ward 2 Coun. Jennifer Wyness that aimed to kickstart the process to repeal the bylaw.
“At least we can demonstrate to Calgarians that we heard you, and that we are taking the steps so that this bylaw is not left in play,” Wyness told reporters.
The bylaw will remain in place until the public hearing process is complete.
Council voted to approve the bylaw on Jan. 17, 2023, and if the repeal is passed, a new bylaw would have to be drafted and carried through the legislative process, if council wanted to replace it with changes.
More to come…