A proposed ban on plastic shopping bags in Fort Frances is getting a blessing at the committee level.
Council’s Operations and Facilities Executive committee is recommending it proceed to a vote for this Monday.
Administration did express some concern at the beginning of the week, suggesting there were some issues that still needed further research.
That prompted Councillor Doug Judson, who is pushing for the ban, to allow any issuing of fines be held off until 2022 to give businesses, residents and the town more time to adjust.
Operation and Facilities manager Travis Rob says while more time is given to enforcement, he notes no other municipality in Ontario has implemented a ban.
“We may have issues getting short-form wording for enforcement. We just may have some issues going forward that will may have to address or work through,” says Rob.
Councillor John McTaggart among those okay with the proposed by-law.
“This initiative is definitely outside the box for Ontario but I really believe that we need to start doing something and I would like to see this move forward,” says McTaggart.
If passed, the by-law would also do away with plastic straws and styrofoam food containers starting in 2021.
