Canada is expected to issue a ban on common single-use plastics by 2021.
Making the announcement on 10 June in Montreal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that a decision, based on scientific review, would be made on which items to be banned.
While inspire by a similar European move, the Canadian ban is expected to go beyond the sale of plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds, which will be prohibited in Europe as of April 2020.
In Canada, the move is likely to cover additional items such as plastic water bottles, shopping bags and fast food containers.
With less than five months before a national election, climate change and the environment are top campaign issues in Canada.
Reports suggest that less than 10% of plastics used in Canada are recycled.
By comparison, EU legislation has set a target of recycling 90% of plastic bottles by 2025.