Vancouver Island MP leading push for national strategy to phase out plastic

A Vancouver Island MP is looking to spur action on a national plan to deal with plastic clogging our oceans.

“We need to redesign the plastics economy and we need producer accountability.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We need to redesign the plastics economy and we need producer accountability."

The NDP’s Gord Johns, representing Courtenay-Alberni,  is submitting a bill written with the help of the University of Victoria’s Environmental Law program.

It lays out the reduction of single-use plastics and a plan to deal with derelict fishing gear.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Johns says the federal government needs less talk and more action.

“The government has made a promise that at the G7 they are going to create a framework and take action, but we have yet hear their plan,” he said.

“Others in the G7 and around the world are putting forward solutions and are taking actions, so I don’t know why the government of Canada is taking its time.”

Johns says cities like Vancouver and Montreal are showing leadership on plastics — and now we need the same leadership nationally.

“I appreciate the government committing to creating a charter to deal with ocean plastics, but what Canadians want is a plan, and they want to know that it’s going to take action — that this action’s going to take place this year instead of waiting for years down the road.”