The governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta will be appearing virtually in Federal Court today as interveners in a constitutional challenge of Ottawa’s decision to label single-use plastics as toxic substances.

Saskatchewan Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre says the federal government cannot simply declare plastics to be under its environmental jurisdiction.

A news release from the province says Saskatchewan intends to argue that federal jurisdiction over environmental protection is limited to established toxic substances such as lead, arsenic and other dangerous industrial chemicals.

The challenge is being heard in Federal Court, in Toronto.