Hon. Robert Black: Senator Gold, primary packaging is essential for the sustainability of the global produce supply chain, ensuring that Canadians have access to a diverse range of produce year-round. It plays a crucial role in preserving the quality, safety and affordability of perishable goods sourced from fresh fruit and vegetable producers across this country. The industry continues to strive to enhance packaging sustainability.

However, Canada’s produce sector has concerns with the government’s proposed regulatory and policy actions, which, if implemented, will have adverse and potentially irreversible impacts on Canadians. The proposed regulatory and policy actions single out fresh produce as the only food category subject to a plastics ban.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association, or CPMA, conducted six studies highlighting the negative effects of the proposed regulations on the fresh produce industry. Of particular concern is the impact on fresh produce affordability and availability. Senator Gold, why is the government proposing regulatory and policy actions that will lead to increased food costs and loss in fresh produce availability for all Canadians?

Senator Black: Thank you. The price of food will increase 34% above current levels, and Canadians will lose 50% of value-added fresh products. It was also found through studies that the proposed regulations could increase fresh produce food waste by more than 50% above the current levels for multiple produce categories. So not only will this policy impact the affordability and availability of fresh produce, it will also create more waste and increase greenhouse gas emissions. How does the government plan to mitigate these issues?