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From: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Today, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced that the Government of Canada is providing close to $7 million to support seven science-based research projects. These projects aim to close gaps in our knowledge and improve understanding of the threats posed by plastic pollution and to help us move toward a cleaner and healthier world.

“Canadians can see all too clearly that we have a plastics pollution problem, but measuring the specific harms of plastics in our environment requires scientific assessment. Scientific research is fundamental to help us understand and address plastic pollution. As science advances, it provides greater knowledge to make meaningful progress on tackling this growing threat through innovation and targeted solutions.”
– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Plastic pollution knows no borders, affecting Arctic waters, wildlife and residents in coastal communities. We are committed to supporting research that will help us better understand the threats posed by plastic pollution and develop evidence-based solutions. Together, we are working to address one of the greatest challenges of our age and helping move Canada toward zero plastic waste.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Congratulations to all recipients. NSERC is pleased to partner with Environment and Climate Change Canada to support research projects that will address the impacts of plastics on the environment, wildlife, and human health to create a cleaner and healthier future for Canada and Canadians.”
– Alejandro Adem, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

• Canadians throw away over three million tonnes of plastic waste every year—that’s as heavy as 25,000 blue whales.

• Only nine percent of Canada’s plastic items are presently recycled while the rest ends up in landfills, waste-to-energy facilities, or the environment.

• Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) is a call to action for Canadian researchers and research funders from all sectors to work together to address priority knowledge gaps in plastics science. It identifies opportunities for research that will strengthen the evidence base for decision-making.

• The Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution, published in October 2020, summarizes the state of the science regarding the potential effects of plastic pollution on the environment and human health. It confirms that plastic pollution is everywhere and is negatively impacting our environment.

• On May 12, 2021, the final Order adding plastic manufactured items to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, to address the potential ecological risks associated with certain plastic manufactured items.