Edmonton city council will consider ending the requirement for restaurants to charge for single-use bags after Coun. Jon Morgan introduced a motion at Monday’s utility committee meeting. Members were reviewing results from a survey of restaurants about reductions in single-use items. Council is expected to debate Morgan’s proposal later this week.

Morgan, who represents Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi, said the fee is unfair to customers, especially at fast-food drive-thrus, and has made little difference to waste. He told reporters at city hall: “People have gotten used to the grocery bags; you bring your own bags at retail, no problem. Single-use items like straws and forks and what have you, same thing, but the bags are a really sticking point for people,”

Morgan said he has heard that the charge is not reducing either costs or bag use. “When you go and get a meal for a family of four, you’re going to need a bag to take that home.”

Some councillors argued the bylaw, which took effect in July 2023, has delivered results. Ward O-day’min Coun. Anne Stevenson said she had told constituents who were frustrated when the change began that she would support reconsidering it if reductions did not follow. She said the information before the committee showed the bylaw was working as intended.

“We’ve seen a 77-per-cent reduction in single-use bags, which is incredible. That’s a huge result, so I feel that we’ve seen the answer to whether this bylaw is working, and that answer is yes,” Stevenson said.

The 196 restaurants surveyed reported differing levels of reduction in single-use items, and many said there had been no change since the bylaw began. The city also heard that several restaurants recoup some costs through bag fees or make a profit. Fewer restaurants said the fees failed to cover their costs, a pattern that suggests suppliers have raised prices for the items.

Calgary repealed its own single-use items bylaw about two-and-a-half years ago, only months after introducing it. The Edmonton motion would remove the restaurant bag fee requirement; the committee discussion also covered the city’s wider single-use item reduction results. CTV News Edmonton reporter Jeremy Thompson contributed to the report.

Based on reporting by CTV News Edmonton.