Now that Victoria’s ban on single-use plastic bags is in effect, it seems that Saanich may soon follow suit.
Saanich council voted unanimously in favour on Monday of directing staff to prepare a report that outlines the steps required for a ban on plastic bags within the district, including wording for an appropriate bylaw.
The motion was brought forward by Coun. Susan Brice.
Saanich council originally voted in favour of a motion supporting a ban on plastic bags last October, but decided to hold off on further action in February pending a B.C. Supreme Court case that would determine whether municipalities had jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the City of Victoria in June, paving the way for Saanich to take up a similar initiative.
At Monday’s meeting, Brice said that it would be logical for Saanich to implement a bylaw similar to Victoria’s, considering the number of people and businesses that move and operate between both.
Coun. Judy Brownoff said many Saanich businesses are already moving in the direction of reducing plastic bag use, so introducing a bylaw made sense.
Before calling the motion to question, Mayor Richard Atwell said he would like to see the staff report get into potential consequences of the bag ban.
