City council in Kamloops has made a first move towards banning plastic bags.

Council voted to proceed with a scaled-back motion brought up by councillor Dale Bass, who had asked for plastic cutlery and plastic straws to be banned as well.

“It’s my belief that we were elected to show leadership. I believe this follows the strategic plan showing bold leadership. It also fits in with creating and implementing plans, policies, regulations that focus on climate action. BC Supreme Court has ruled that city’s can do this. We have to stop leaving our mess for future generations.”

Councillor Dieter Dudy says banning plastic bags isn’t the be-all and end-all, but says it is a step in the right direction.

“We can either use this plastic or we can get rid of it. But the whales, fish, birds and all those other things don’t have that choice, it gets broken up and it gets into their diet. The plastic island out in the Pacific is bigger than the state of Texas, and we’re responsible for that in a little less than 65 years,” he says.

“We need to do something… at least that’s one step forward. It may not address every issue out there, but we have to keep doing it. It’s like a smoker telling you there’s no point in quitting smoking because there’s so much pollution in the air. At least you;re doing one thing that’s less, and not adding to the problem.”

City staff will now create a draft bylaw to bring to city council on July 9.