BILL NO. 113
(as introduced)
2nd Session, 63rd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
68 Elizabeth II, 2019
Private Member's Bill
Plastic Bag Reduction Act
Lenore Zann
Truro–Bible Hill–Millbrook–Salmon River
First Reading: March 13, 2019
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Reduce
the Use of Plastic Bags
1 This Act may be cited as the Plastic Bag Reduction Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to reduce the use by businesses of single-use plastic bags, to reduce waste and environmental damage and to promote responsible and sustainable business practices in the Province.
3 (1) The Minister of Environment shall, in consultation with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, develop a plan to
(a) phase out the use of single-use plastic bags;
(b) set different dates for the application of prohibitions on the use of single-use plastic bags according to type of business and size of retail sales area;
(c) set annual targets for reduction in the use of single-use plastic bags;
(d) establish exemptions from any prohibition or target if no appropriate alternatives exist;
(e) set fees or minimum sale prices for paper bags or reusable bags;
(f) create an education campaign for businesses and consumers;
(g) promote waste reduction and recycling; and
(h) promote locally produced alternatives to single-use plastic bags.
(2) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) respecting any matter or thing referred to in clauses (1)(a) to (h);
(b) providing for fees or penalties for non-compliance with the regulations;
(c) defining any word or expression used in this Act;
(d) respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to effectively carry out the intent and purpose of this Act.
(3) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (2) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2019 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 13, 2019. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
