Plastic sunset: Canada has a generational chance to protect the oceans while boosting the economy

Today’s solution is for this country to mandate that laundry appliances include a built-in microfiber filter—like a lint trap for your washer that captures up to 90 per cent of fibers at the source. Oregon, California, and Ontario have proposed such legislation, and it's already law in France.

One of the largest sources of microplastic fibres is our clothing. Every washer or dryer load releases thousands or even millions of microfibers into the water and air. A recent review estimates that 80 per cent (49-97 per cent) of the microplastics found in Canadian water, soil, and wildlife are microfibers. Image courtesy of iStock

Opinion

BY SAMANTHA BLACKWELL, CHLOë CHANG, KEVIN LANDRINI, AND CLARE PRICE, KAI CHAN

June 4, 2026

Since the Carney government took office last year, Canada has seen a spate of environmental rollbacks in supposed pursuit of environmental regulations that do not impede economic prosperity. So far, this is indistinguishable from sacrificing the environment at the altar of t...

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