Highlights

  • The Canadian government has extended the amnesty for owners of prohibited firearms to comply with new regulations until October 30, 2025.
  • The Eastern Wolf in Canada has been reclassified as a distinct species and is now considered threatened, with steps being taken towards its protection.
  • Levy rates for egg producers in various Canadian regions have been updated, effective November 5, 2023.
  • The Atlantic Mud-piddock, a bivalve mollusc, is listed as threatened, and its critical habitat in Nova Scotia is legally protected.
  • Amendments to the Divorce Act will come into force on February 1, 2024, to align with the International Recovery of Child Support Convention.
  • Three First Nations have been added to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, allowing them access to financial management services.
  • Vehicle exemption label requirements in Canada have been simplified, with compliance monitored by Transport Canada.
  • Canada has updated sanctions against Myanmar and Iran to address human rights violations and security concerns, respectively.
  • A remission order has been approved for three appointees within the Department of Employment and Social Development due to administrative errors.

Canada Extends Amnesty for Prohibited Firearms Owners Until 2025

The Canadian government has extended the amnesty period for owners of certain prohibited firearms and devices until October 30, 2025. This extension is to allow individuals and businesses more time to comply with the law following the prohibition of over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms (ASFs) and certain firearm components on May 1, 2020. During the amnesty, affected owners can deactivate their firearms, surrender them to police, legally export them, or return them to the manufacturer if they are a business. The extension aims to protect these owners from criminal liability while they take steps to comply with the new regulations. It is estimated that there are approximately 150,000 affected ASFs, with a significant portion previously classified as restricted or non-restricted. Since the prohibition, around 1,200 prohibited firearms have been turned in and destroyed. The extension does not introduce new offences or administrative burdens and is not expected to incur significant costs for the government. It is also not expected to have implications on Canada’s modern treaty obligations. A gender-based analysis indicates that the extension will likely benefit men more than women, as men are more likely to own firearms, and will have a positive impact on rural and Indigenous communities where firearm ownership is more common. [Source]

Canada Considers Listing Eastern Wolf as Threatened Species Following COSEWIC Assessment

The Canadian government, through the Governor General in Council and upon the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment, has acknowledged the assessment of the Eastern Wolf’s status by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The Eastern Wolf, found in central Ontario and southwestern Quebec, was previously categorized as a subspecies of the Grey Wolf and listed as of special concern. However, recent genetic research has led to its reclassification as a distinct species, Canis sp. cf. lycaon, and COSEWIC has now designated it as threatened.

The government’s acknowledgment of this assessment triggers a nine-month timeline for the Governor in Council to decide whether to add the Eastern Wolf to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk, not to add it, or to refer the matter back to COSEWIC for further consideration. The Minister of the Environment will propose a Listing Order recommending the amendment of the List according to COSEWIC’s assessment, which will be published for a 30-day public comment period. The final decision will take into account public comments and any additional information received. [Source]

Updated Regional Egg Levy Rates in Canada Effective November 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. The new rates are specified for each region, with Ontario producers paying $0.5195, Quebec at $0.5475, Nova Scotia at $0.5175, New Brunswick at $0.5425, Manitoba at $0.5395, British Columbia at $0.5443, Prince Edward Island at $0.5415, Saskatchewan at $0.5710, Alberta at $0.5468, Newfoundland and Labrador at $0.5295, and the Northwest Territories at $0.5535. These changes will take effect on November 5, 2023. The adjustment in levies is part of the Agency’s mandate to implement a marketing plan for the egg sector, which has been approved by the National Farm Products Council as necessary for the plan’s implementation. [Source]

The Atlantic Mud-piddock (Barnea truncata), a small intertidal bivalve mollusc found in the Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, is listed as a threatened species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change, which could lead to habitat destruction through increased sedimentation, ice scouring, sea-level rise, and more frequent major storm events.

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has made an order to legally protect the critical habitat of the Atlantic Mud-piddock as identified in the species’ recovery strategy. This habitat includes nine discrete intertidal sites within the Minas Basin and the waters below the high tide mark along the contiguous shoreline. The order triggers the prohibition against the destruction of any part of the species’ critical habitat.

The critical habitat is already managed under existing federal legislation, such as the Fisheries Act, which prohibits harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat. The order will not impose additional costs on businesses or small businesses, as the permit application process remains unchanged. Compliance and enforcement will be managed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with potential fines and imprisonment for violations under SARA’s penalty provisions. The order is expected to have a positive environmental impact and contribute to the conservation of Canadian biodiversity. [Source]

Canada Sets Date for Family Law Amendments Aligning with International Child Support Convention

The Canadian government has set February 1, 2024, as the date for certain provisions of an act amending the Divorce Act and other related acts to come into force. These changes are intended to implement the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Convention) under federal law, aligning Canada’s family law with the Convention’s standards. The 2007 Convention facilitates cross-border cooperation in the recognition, enforcement, establishment, and modification of family support orders and agreements, requiring each State Party to designate a Central Authority to handle international family support applications.

The amendments to the Divorce Act, which were part of former Bill C-78, aim to modernize Canada’s family justice system, improve access to justice, and make family laws more responsive to the needs of Canadian families. The provisions include giving “force of law” to the 2007 Convention and clarifying its application within the context of the Divorce Act.

To date, three provinces—British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario—have adopted legislation to implement the 2007 Convention, with Manitoba and Ontario requesting the federal government to ratify the Convention and extend its application to their jurisdictions. Ratification of the 2007 Convention will enhance the number of countries with which Canadian jurisdictions can reciprocate, facilitating the recognition and enforcement of Canadian child and spousal support orders internationally.

The ratification of the 2007 Convention is expected to contribute to the reduction of child poverty and increase the efficiency of the family justice system. Consultations with provinces, territories, legal experts, organizations, and Indigenous groups have been ongoing since 2007, with stakeholders expressing no concerns. The coming into force of the federal and provincial legislation will be coordinated with the international entry into force of the 2007 Convention for Canada. [Source]

Expansion of First Nations Fiscal Management Act to Include Three New Communities

The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations has approved an order to amend the Schedule to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMA) to include three First Nations: Fox Lake (Manitoba), Louis Bull Tribe (Alberta), and Natoaganeg (New Brunswick). This amendment allows these First Nations to access services provided by the national First Nation institutions established under the FNFMA, such as the First Nations Finance Authority, the First Nations Tax Commission, and the First Nations Financial Management Board.

The FNFMA, in effect since April 1, 2006, aims to enhance economic development and well-being in First Nation communities by providing them with the authority to manage property taxation, financial management, and bond financing for infrastructure and economic development. By being added to the Schedule, these First Nations can now choose to implement property tax systems, seek certification for financial management, and access bond financing to invest in community projects.

The order was made in response to requests from the respective First Nations and did not require additional consultations as the communities had already been engaged in the process. The amendment carries no costs and is expected to have positive impacts on the economic development and well-being of the First Nations communities involved. There are no compliance and enforcement requirements associated with this initiative, and no significant environmental effects or gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) issues have been identified. [Source]

Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations Update Exemption Label Requirements

The Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations have been amended to align with changes to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act regarding vehicle exemptions. These amendments simplify the exemption labelling requirements for manufacturers or importers of vehicles granted exemptions from certain safety standards. Now, compliance labels need only display the words “Exemption/Dispense” followed by a unique identifier, rather than a detailed list of exempted standards. This change addresses space limitations on labels and provides flexibility for vehicles without windshields or side windows, where temporary labels can now be placed on any visible and accessible surface. The amendments also reflect the transfer of exemption-granting authority from the Governor in Council to the Minister of Transport and remove outdated provisions related to financial hardship and production volumes. The updated regulations are designed to accommodate technological advancements in vehicle safety and to streamline the exemption process for companies, while ensuring that exemption information is still accessible to the public. These changes are expected to reduce the burden on businesses and are not anticipated to have a significant impact on small businesses or administrative costs. The regulations maintain alignment with U.S. practices and do not disproportionately impact any group based on identity factors. Compliance will be monitored by Transport Canada, with penalties for non-compliance as set out in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. [Source]

Canada Tightens Economic Sanctions on Myanmar Military Regime

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations in response to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, where the military has seized power from the democratically elected government and committed severe human rights violations. The amendments include a prohibition on providing insurance or reinsurance for ships transporting aviation fuel to Myanmar, which is crucial for the military’s air strikes against civilians. The regulations now list an additional 39 individuals and 22 entities associated with the military regime, including those involved in arms production and revenue generation for the regime.

The amendments aim to pressure the military regime to engage in peace dialogues, halt violence, and allow humanitarian access. They are designed to limit the regime’s resources and align with international efforts to resolve the crisis. The impact on Canadian businesses is expected to be minimal, and the measures are not anticipated to have significant adverse humanitarian effects. The amendments also include provisions for exemptions, such as for humanitarian assistance, and the possibility for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue permits for otherwise prohibited activities.

The regulatory changes are enforced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency, with penalties for non-compliance including fines and imprisonment. The amendments demonstrate Canada’s commitment to international peace and support for the people of Myanmar. [Source]

Canada Amends Iran Sanctions Regulations in Response to International Peace Breaches

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations in response to actions by the Islamic Republic of Iran that are considered a grave breach of international peace and security. These amendments include:

  1. A definition for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which is the agreement reached in 2015 between Iran and several world powers, including the endorsement by the UN Security Council.

  2. Modifications to the regulations to allow for certain exceptions, such as the exercise of rights over property subject to legal claims or necessary for civil nuclear cooperation projects under the JCPOA.

  3. Prohibitions on the export, sale, supply, or shipment of specific goods and technical assistance to Iran, particularly those related to military equipment, ballistic missile technology, or nuclear weapon delivery systems.

  4. Bans on providing property, technical assistance, or financial services related to the goods and activities mentioned above.

  5. A prohibition on importing, purchasing, or acquiring arms and related material from Iran.

  6. Restrictions on Canadian ships and aircraft from transporting certain goods from Iran or delivering arms and related material acquired from Iran.

  7. The addition of numerous entities and individuals to the sanctions list, which includes various Iranian organizations and officials associated with the country’s military and ballistic missile programs.

These regulations are effective from October 18, 2023, and apply immediately, even before publication in the Canada Gazette. The amendments are made under the Special Economic Measures Act, reflecting Canada’s commitment to international peace and security and its stance against Iran’s actions that may lead to a serious international crisis. [Source]

Remission of Supplemental Benefits for Three Canadian Government Appointees Due to Administrative Errors

The Canadian Governor General, on the advice of the Treasury Board and the Ministers of Employment and Social Development and Families, Children and Social Development, has approved a remission order for three Governor in Council appointees within the Department of Employment and Social Development. This order forgives the supplemental benefits that were received by these appointees due to administrative errors. The remission applies to two full-time members of the National Advisory Council on Poverty, who have been in their roles since April 2021 and previously served as Ministerial appointees from September 2019 to March 2021, and to the full-time Chief Accessibility Officer appointed in May 2022. The decision to remit these debts is based on the judgment that their collection would be unreasonable and unjust. [Source]

Canada Amends Sanctions on Iran to Target Nuclear and Missile Programs

The Canadian government has amended its sanctions regulations against Iran to maintain pressure on the Iranian regime regarding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. These changes come as certain provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231 are set to expire. The amendments involve repealing expired provisions from the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Iran and adding them to the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. This action will freeze the assets of 18 individuals and 56 entities believed to be involved in Iran’s proliferation-sensitive activities or associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The amendments also prohibit the export to Iran of certain military and nuclear-related items, the provision of related technical and financial services, and the import of arms from Iran. These measures align with international efforts and are consistent with Canada’s controlled engagement policy towards Iran, which focuses on issues like human rights and regional security. Enforcement will be carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency, with penalties for non-compliance including fines and imprisonment. [Source]

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