Highlights

  • The role of Canadian citizenship judges in determining citizenship cases has been extended until July 31, 2027.
  • Canada’s grain grading standards have been updated to align with current export standards.
  • The Canadian Egg Marketing Agency has revised levy rates for egg producers in various regions.
  • Canada has issued a remission order to waive customs duties on medical isotope Cobalt-60 imports from Russia for five years, acknowledging the need to find alternative suppliers.

Extension of Citizenship Judges’ Decision-Making Role in Canada Until 2027

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada has extended the decision-making role of citizenship judges until July 31, 2027. This extension allows citizenship judges to continue determining cases where citizenship applicants do not clearly meet the physical presence requirement for citizenship. The decision-making authority of citizenship judges, which includes presiding over citizenship ceremonies, promotional activities, and making residency decisions, was initially set to expire on July 31, 2019, but was previously extended until July 31, 2024. The current extension does not raise any significant financial, environmental, economic, social, legal, or intergovernmental concerns. The extension was made under the authority granted by the Citizenship Act, which was previously discussed and passed without issue as part of Bill C-24, the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act. [Source]

Canadian Grain Commission Updates Wheat Grading Standards

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has amended the Canada Grain Regulations, specifically updating the grading standards for various classes of wheat. These changes are reflected in the replacement of several tables in Schedule 3 of the regulations. The amendments align the primary standards with the current export standards for minimum test weight (TWT) and maximum total foreign material (TFM) in some western Canadian wheat classes, based on scientific research and stakeholder consultations through the Western Standards Committee.

The grading system is reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of producers, industry, and customers. The CGC has the authority to establish grades and specifications for different types of grain. The grain grading modernization project initiated in 2017 identified the need to update key elements of the grain grading system, including the Official Grain Grading Guide (OGGG).

The amendments result from extensive research by the CGC’s Grain Research Laboratory and analysis of producer harvest sample and cargo monitoring data, which support the necessity of the current export standards for TWT and TFM to maintain the quality and functionality expected by markets.

The changes were presented to the Western Standards Committee and received significant feedback, leading to the decision to update the tolerances for TWT and TFM for all grades in all wheat classes where they were different, except for the minimum TWT in Canada Western Amber Durum.

The regulations will come into force on August 1, 2023, or on the day they are registered if that occurs after August 1. The amendments are expected to provide value to the Canadian grain sector by ensuring the grading system is up to date and reflective of the quality standards required by domestic and international markets. [Source]

New Levy Rates for Canadian Egg Producers by Region Effective July 2023

The Canadian Egg Marketing Agency has amended the Canadian Egg Marketing Levies Order to update the levy rates paid by egg producers across various provinces and territories in Canada. The new rates are specified for each region, with Ontario producers paying $0.3995, Quebec at $0.4075, Nova Scotia at $0.3975, New Brunswick at $0.4225, Manitoba at $0.4195, British Columbia at $0.4537, Prince Edward Island at $0.4215, Saskatchewan at $0.4510, Alberta at $0.4487, Newfoundland and Labrador at $0.4095, and the Northwest Territories at $0.4335. These changes are set to take effect on July 16, 2023. The amendment is made under the authority of the Farm Products Agencies Act and is approved by the National Farm Products Council as necessary for the implementation of the marketing plan that the Agency is authorized to implement. [Source]

Canada Grants Duty Remission on Russian Cobalt-60 Imports for Medical Use

The Canadian government has issued the Certain Russian Goods Remission Order to grant remission of customs duties on imports of Cobalt-60, a critical medical isotope used in sterilizing medical products, originating from Russia. This remission is in response to the inability to source Cobalt-60 from alternative suppliers in the short to medium term. The remission applies to goods imported after the Most-Favoured-Nation Tariff Withdrawal Order (2022-2) expires and will last for five years. Importers must claim this remission within two years of importation.

The remission order follows Canada’s withdrawal of Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff treatment from Russian and Belarusian goods due to the invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in a 35% General Tariff on these imports. The intent is to encourage Canadian importers to diversify away from Russian and Belarusian sources while recognizing the current challenges in sourcing Cobalt-60 elsewhere.

The remission order is expected to save importers approximately $3.43 million per year in customs duties, considered a cost-neutral measure as it involves a transfer of savings. It is not anticipated to impact the volume of Russian Cobalt-60 imports or the effectiveness of Canada’s sanctions against Russia. The five-year term signals the need to find new supply sources over the medium term.

The remission order will not significantly impact small businesses but will decrease costs for importers, including a mid-sized health sciences company. There is a minor administrative burden for importers to claim duty relief retroactively, but no additional burden for future imports.

The remission order is exempt from the one-for-one rule as it relates to tax administration. It aligns with actions by allied countries that have also implemented tariffs or bans on Russian and Belarusian imports while excluding certain products due to supply shortages.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will oversee compliance and inform importers about the remission order, which takes effect upon registration. Importers can claim duty relief at the time of assessment or by requesting a refund from the CBSA within two years of importation. [Source]

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