Single-Use Plastics Annotated Bibliography

Source #1:

Ontario government ponders ban on single-use plastics | CBC News. (2019, March 10).
Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-plastics-ban-1.5050539

Summary:

The Ontario Government is looking at whether it should ban single use plastics. They are
asking the public and stakeholders for input on how to best address the problem.
There are many ideas proposed, including shifting the cost and responsibility to the
producers. They are accepting comments from the public until April 20th. 2019.

Critical Analysis:

Whose voices are heard in this source?

Environment Minister Rod Phillips
Keith Brooks, programs director at Environmental Defence

Whose voices are absent from this source?

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association did not respond to requests for comment.
The voice of citizens is missing.

Is this source biased? Why or why not?

The source is biased in that it only received comments from those in favour of this agenda.
This could be argued, because they did reach out to The Canadian Plastics Industry
Association.

Source #2:

Agar, J. (2019, March 12). AGAR: Banning plastic? Easier said than done. Retrieved from
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/agar-banning-plastic-easier-said-than-done

Summary:

This article outlines the Ontario Government’s plan to ban single use plastics. This article
discusses how it is surprising that the Conservative government is taking a stand on an
environmental issue. It also introduces opinions from the Grocery Store Industry outlining
the challenges to their business that would arise from this ban.
Critical Analysis:

Whose voices are heard in this source?

Environment Minister Rod Phillips
Gary Sands, Senior Vice President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.

Whose voices are absent from this source?

Environmentalists
Citizens
Plastics Industry

Is this source biased? Why or why not?

It has a bias because the writer has clear opinions against the Liberal Party. As well it
supports the opinions of Gary Sands when the writer says “Sands raises a great point”.

Source #3:

Editorial: Ontario set to join the fight against plastic pollution. (2019, March 12).
Retrieved from https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/9217108-editorial-ontario-set-
to-join-the-fight-against-plastic-pollution/

Summary:

This article is an editorial opinion from the editors of The Hamilton Spectator. This article
outlines the history of plastics use and the remarkable amount of waste that has been
created since 1950.It goes on to explain the impact plastics have on our oceans and
waterways. It talks about how this is a positive initiative by the Ford Government. It also
talks about what other countries have done and some corporate initiatives. Finally it looks
at how this issue is one that is not polarizing politically.
Critical Analysis:

Whose voices are heard in this source?

Mostly the voice of the editors of The Hamilton Spectator
Environment Minister Rod Phillips

Whose voices are absent from this source?

The Public
Stakeholders who oppose or support this law.
Is this source biased? Why or why not?
It is biased in favour of the law. It is an opinion piece so it is supposed to have an opinion.

Discussion paper on reducing litter and waste in our communities. (n.d.). Retrieved
from https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/013-4689
Palomino System Innovations Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.plastics.ca/
PlasticTopics/EnvironmentalSustainability
Case - Microplastics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.waterkeeper.ca/cases-
microplastics
What is single use plastic? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.plasticfreechallenge.org/
what-is-single-use-plastic