Victoria’s plastic-bag ban has been struck down by the B.C. Court of Appeal.
The appeals court found that the bylaw’s primary purpose was to protect the natural environment rather than a business regulation.
As such, the city should have sought provincial approval for the bylaw, something it did not do.
“We will review the decision and will consider all our options,” said Mayor Lisa Helps in a statement. "We believe it is fundamentally within the jurisdiction of cities to regulate unsustainable business practices. The Court decision doesn’t undermine the soundness of the bylaw itself, it only deals with the process required for its adoption.”
The bylaw, which has been in effect since July 1, 2018, banned the use of single-use plastic checkout bags and set a minimum price on paper and reusable checkout bags.
It was developed with extensive input from local businesses and the community over a two-year period, the city said.
- Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist
