According to research by Canadian natural resource analyst Heather Exner-Pirot, Alberta oilsands companies now must monitor and document the dental floss use of workers.
"Do you wonder why Canada has a productivity crisis?" she said. "In the latest sign of the apocalypse, I learned today oilsands companies will have to report how much dental floss their workers use and dispose of to Environment and Climate Change Canada's Federal Plastics Registry."
The Federal Plastics Registry (FPR) mandates annual reporting from Canadian organizations in the plastics value chain—resin manufacturers, importers, product producers, waste generators, and service providers—on quantities manufactured, imported, placed on market, collected, reused, recycled, or disposed.
It tracks plastic lifecycle to reduce waste and pollution via evidence-based decisions. Exemptions apply for entities handling <1,000 kg/year. Phased implementation started in September 2025 (2024 data for select categories), expanding in 2026–2027.
Required under CEPA s.46(1), non-compliance faces fines up to $500,000. FPR complements provincial EPR programs with consistent national data. (98 words)
According to the Bank of Canada, Canada's productivity crisis stems from stagnant growth over decades, now at 71% of U.S. levels, limiting wages and economic expansion.
Key reasons include low business investment in technology and R&D, skills mismatches in education, weak competition, overregulation, resource sector inefficiencies, and slow tech adoption amid global pressures like tariffs and inflation.