Media Releases

Toronto Rally Against Big Plastic Producers Suing Canadian Government

Environmental Defence and Animal Justice supporters will be outside the federal court building in Toronto to send a message to plastics producers to stop challenging environmental regulations and act on plastic pollution.

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, environmentalists will rally outside the federal court in Toronto, where the plastics industry will be making arguments against federal government action to tackle plastic pollution.

WHO: Environmental groups and supporters, including spokespeople for Environmental Defence and Animal Justice, who are intervening in the lawsuit to support the federal government’s actions on plastic pollution.

WHAT: A rally to draw public attention to a case that threatens federal regulations intended to address plastic pollution and protect wildlife. Photo and interview opportunities.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 12:15 pm to 1 pm.

WHERE: Outside of Federal Court of Canada at 180 Queen St. West, Toronto

WHY: The industry that profits from plastics is trying to stop crucial federal regulation by asking the court to strike down the government’s listing of plastic manufactured items as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The government’s science assessment has demonstrated that plastic pollution poses a hazard to wildlife and the environment. As a result of the CEPA listing, the government has since released regulations to ban some of the most harmful and unnecessary single-use plastics, including checkout bags, stir sticks, cutlery and six-pack rings.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

ABOUT ANIMAL JUSTICE (animaljustice.ca): Animal Justice is Canada’s only national animal law non-profit organization. Animal Justice lawyers work to pass strong new animal protection laws, push to hold industries accountable for abusing animals, and fight on behalf of animals in court.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Brittany Harris, Environmental Defence, [email protected]

Camille Labchuk, Animal Justice, [email protected]