Representatives from Aamjiwnaang First Nation are in Korea this week for the fifth and final round of United Nations (UN) plastic treaty negotiations.
They're joined by various environmental and justice groups.
The contingent wants the treaty to address a full lifecycle approach for plastics pollution, including a global reduction target for its production.
Aamjiwnaang is stressing the Indigenous community needs to be included as equal partners at the table, and in all efforts to tackle the plastics pollution crisis.
The First Nation declared a state of emergency earlier this year due to high levels of benzene originating from INEOS Styrolution.
In June, INEOS announced plans to permanently close the site by June 2026. The company expects its decommissioning and site closure process will be complete by the end of next year.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation had moved some residents in designated zones around the plant out of the area as a precaution while the removal work was completed.
Aamjiwnaang Councillor CJ Smith White said they're affected every second of every day by these industries.
"For decades, our community has fallen in between the cracks of regulation," said Smith White. "This treaty can be a tool to add to our kit in our journey of environmental stewardship and environmental leadership. We always have spoken about environmental racism and will continue to do so."
Smith White said Indigenous people are not just stakeholders in these negotiations, but are rights-holders.
"Aamjiwnaang, first and foremost, wants free prior and informed consent included in all parts of this treaty. This treaty must include First Nations’ participation, views, and traditional knowledge. It is imperative that a human-rights based approach is embedded in all aspects of this treaty and that Frontline communities are active participants at all levels of its development and implementation. This includes mechanisms, such as a right to a healthy environment, which would allow frontline communities and First Nations mechanisms to use to reach our individual goals."
Aamjiwnaang is pushing for the use of best available technologies across all stages of the plastic lifecycle - from extraction to microplastics.
Groups are warning that "a small number of member states and industry actors could derail negotiations by continuing to push for weak and non-mandatory measures that will do little to address the urgent crises we all face."
A new survey published by the global movement Break Free from Plastic ahead of INC-5 showed 84 per cent of people across ten countries support cuts to plastic production.
Partners are calling for Canada to show global leadership in reducing plastic production through immediate measures including:
- Supporting a binding global reduction target on the production of primary plastic polymers
- Upholding commitments to respect Indigenous Rights and Sovereignty
- Supporting the elimination and reduction of chemicals of concerns to protect human health, human rights and the environment
- Ensuring transparency throughout the lifecycle of plastics, which includes expanding the Federal Plastics Registry
- Ending subsidies to petrochemical production