Highlights

  • The Canadian government has increased loan forgiveness for healthcare professionals in rural areas to incentivize their retention and improve healthcare access.
  • New production and marketing limits for chicken have been set by Chicken Farmers of Canada for a specified period.
  • An Order has been issued to the CRTC to establish a sustainable and equitable broadcasting regulatory framework, emphasizing diversity and participation of Indigenous peoples.
  • Amendments to the Domestic Substances List have been made, adding new chemical substances and updating organism listings.
  • Regulatory changes under the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act have been made to improve the accuracy of Equalization and TFF program calculations.
  • Ministerial responsibilities have been reassigned for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the Homelessness Policy Directorate.
  • The Royal Canadian Mint is issuing new circulation coins featuring King Charles III.
  • The Minister of Small Business and Tourism has been designated for roles related to the Business Development Bank of Canada.
  • Responsibilities concerning the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Accessible Canada Act have been transferred to specified ministers.
  • Amendments to environmental regulations aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve implementation.
  • Implementation dates for provisions of the Retail Payment Activities Act have been set to enhance financial system safety and foster innovation.
  • New Retail Payment Activities Regulations establish a supervisory regime for payment service providers.
  • Additional sanctions have been imposed on Russia, while some individuals have been removed from the sanctions list.
  • Certain tobacco products have been relieved from special duty and marking requirements to aid Canadian manufacturers.
  • Trade restrictions on elephant tusks and rhinoceros horns have been tightened to support conservation efforts.

Canada Enhances Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers in Rural Areas

The Canadian government has amended the Canada Student Loans Regulations and the Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations to increase loan forgiveness for family physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners working in rural and remote communities. The changes allow for up to $60,000 in loan forgiveness for family physicians and up to $30,000 for nurses and nurse practitioners over five years. The amount forgiven each year will increase progressively based on the number of years the healthcare professional works in an underserved area.

The goal of these amendments is to incentivize more healthcare professionals to work and stay in rural and remote areas, improving access to healthcare services and potentially leading to better health outcomes for residents. The changes are expected to benefit around 3,000 student loan borrowers in the first year and up to 8,000 per year by 2032-2033. The cost to the government is estimated at $22.6 million over ten years.

Stakeholder feedback generally supports the increase in loan forgiveness, though there are concerns about retaining healthcare professionals in these communities after the loan forgiveness period. The amendments do not extend the loan forgiveness period beyond five years or impose a multi-year service commitment. There is also a plan to raise awareness of the enhanced loan forgiveness and to streamline the application process.

The amendments are not expected to have differential impacts on Indigenous peoples or modern treaty obligations. They align with provincial and territorial strategies to increase healthcare capacity in rural and remote areas and are not related to any formal regulatory cooperation forum. The small business lens and the one-for-one rule do not apply to these amendments. A gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) found that women, who make up the majority of loan forgiveness recipients, will particularly benefit from the changes. The amendments will be implemented upon registration, and existing performance measurement and evaluation mechanisms will incorporate the effects of the enhancements. Compliance and enforcement will continue under the existing framework of the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act. [Source]

New Chicken Production and Marketing Limits Set by Chicken Farmers of Canada for Late 2023 and Early 2024

Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) has enacted new regulations that set the production and marketing limits for chicken in Canada for the period beginning November 19, 2023, and ending January 13, 2024. These changes are made under the authority of the Farm Products Agencies Act and follow the process outlined in the Operating Agreement for quota allocation. The National Farm Products Council has approved these amendments, which are deemed necessary for the implementation of CFC’s marketing plan.

The updated schedule specifies the live weight limits for chicken production subject to federal and provincial quotas, market development quotas, and specialty chicken quotas for each province. Ontario has the highest production limit, followed by Quebec and British Columbia. The total production subject to federal and provincial quotas is set at 272,470,380 kg, with an additional 7,306,319 kg for market development and 2,150,022 kg for specialty chicken across the participating provinces. These regulations will come into force on November 19, 2023. [Source]

Modernizing Canada’s Broadcasting Regulations for Diversity and Inclusion

The Canadian government has issued an Order to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to establish a sustainable and equitable broadcasting regulatory framework. The Order emphasizes the following key directives:

  1. Diversity Among Indigenous Peoples: The CRTC must consider the diversity among Indigenous peoples in its application of the Order.

  2. Participation of Indigenous Persons: The CRTC is to support Indigenous participation in broadcasting, including their content creation, access to programming, and ownership of broadcasting undertakings.

  3. Support for Canadian Programming: Broadcasting undertakings are required to support a wide range of Canadian programming and creators, with equitable financial and non-financial requirements that consider the size and nature of the undertaking.

  4. Community Broadcasters: The CRTC should foster collaboration and support the sustainability of community broadcasters and those of exceptional importance to the broadcasting policy objectives.

  5. Discoverability and Showcasing: The CRTC must prioritize outcome-based regulations for discoverability and showcasing Canadian programming, minimizing the need for changes to broadcasting algorithms.

  6. Accessibility: The CRTC should ensure programming is accessible to persons with disabilities.

  7. Flexible and Adaptable Framework: The CRTC is directed to minimize regulatory burden, respect audience choice, use digital tools, and foster collaboration between Canadian and foreign broadcasting undertakings.

  8. Use of Canadian Human Resources: The CRTC must ensure the broadcasting system maximizes the use of Canadian creative and other human resources.

  9. Exclusions: The CRTC should not impose regulatory requirements on social media creators, including podcasts, or on broadcasting undertakings in respect of video games.

  10. Regulations for Online Undertakings: The CRTC must set clear criteria for regulations, ensuring they apply only to programs broadcast by licensed or registered undertakings, excluding social media services.

  11. Expenditure Requirements: The CRTC should review expenditure requirements regularly, support programming in French, and consider the needs of Indigenous creators, equity-seeking and ethnocultural groups, and official language minority communities.

  12. Canadian Programming: The CRTC must redefine what constitutes Canadian programming, consulting with stakeholders and supporting Canadian ownership of intellectual property.

  13. Engagement: The CRTC is directed to engage with Indigenous peoples, equity-seeking and ethnocultural groups, and official language minority communities to support their participation in broadcasting.

  14. Information and Implementation: The CRTC must inform the public about progress in achieving broadcasting policy objectives and implement necessary changes to its regulatory framework within two years.

The Order aims to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system, ensuring it reflects the digital age and that all broadcasting undertakings, including online services, contribute to Canadian content and culture. The Order seeks to balance regulatory requirements with the need for innovation and competition, while promoting diversity and inclusion within the broadcasting system. [Source]

Amendments to the Canadian Domestic Substances List under the Environmental Protection Act

The Minister of the Environment has amended the Domestic Substances List (DSL) under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The amendments include the addition of several new chemical substances to Part 1 of the DSL in numerical order, as specified by their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry numbers. Some substances are marked with a “T” or “N” to indicate they are subject to tracking or notification requirements.

Additionally, Part 3 of the DSL has been updated by removing certain substances, each identified by a unique numerical code and described by their chemical names. The descriptions of several other substances in Part 3 have been updated or replaced with new descriptions to reflect changes in their chemical identification or composition.

Part 5 of the DSL, which lists organisms, has been revised by deleting entries for certain cold-adapted, temperature-sensitive, and attenuated influenza viruses, as well as specific genetically modified viruses. New entries for these organisms have been added back to Part 5 with an “N” designation, indicating a change in their status.

Lastly, a reference in Part 7 of the DSL has been updated to include an “N” designation, signifying a notification requirement for that substance.

The Order comes into effect on the day it is registered. A Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement accompanies the Order, providing further details on the amendments. [Source]

Amendment to Canada’s Domestic Substances List to Add New Chemicals

The Minister of the Environment has amended the Domestic Substances List (DSL) to include new substances as per the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The amendments involve adding certain chemicals to Part 1 and Part 3 of the DSL in numerical order. These chemicals are identified by their unique numerical codes and include various polymers and compounds with specific chemical structures and properties. The Order comes into force on the day it is registered. The Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement for this Order is provided after another Order amending the DSL. [Source]

Canada Updates Domestic Substances List with New Chemicals and Organisms Under CEPA

The Canadian Minister of the Environment has issued an order to amend the Domestic Substances List (DSL) to include 13 new substances (8 chemicals/polymers and 5 living organisms) that have been assessed and meet the criteria for addition under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). These substances are no longer subject to the New Substances Notification Regulations as they have been manufactured or imported into Canada by the person who provided the information required by the regulations.

Additionally, the order discloses the chemical identities of 33 substances by moving them from a confidential part of the DSL to a public part, updates the masked names of 11 substances to comply with the Masked Name Regulations, and corrects the identifiers of 6 living organisms on the DSL.

The amendments to the DSL are administrative and do not introduce new regulatory requirements, thus having no impact on modern treaty rights or obligations. The orders do not impose any compliance costs on businesses or enforcement costs on the government. The orders are part of the federal obligation under CEPA and facilitate access to these substances for businesses in Canada. Compliance with the orders is overseen by the Department of the Environment, and any suspected violations can be reported to the department’s Enforcement Branch. [Source]

Canadian Government Updates Equalization and Territorial Financing Formulas

The Canadian government has made regulatory amendments under the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to update the Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing (TFF) programs. These changes, which are set to improve the accuracy and transparency of entitlement calculations, include:

  1. Using population estimates from July 1st instead of June 1st for all major transfers to align with Statistics Canada’s main population estimates.
  2. Including unremitted net income from hydro-producing government business enterprises in the business income tax base to better reflect fiscal capacity.
  3. Modernizing the fiscal capacity measure for property taxes by:
    • Updating the relative weights for residential, commercial-industrial, and agricultural property tax revenues based on recent data.
    • Including miscellaneous revenues in the calculation of non-resource revenue sources for all relevant taxes.
    • Measuring non-residential property tax base using market values and population.

Additionally, the TFF payroll tax base will now automatically reflect the adoption or elimination of a payroll tax by a jurisdiction, avoiding the need for regulatory changes each time there’s a change in payroll taxes.

The maximum per capita recovery limit for net aggregate overpayments related to Equalization, Fiscal Stabilization, and Tax Collection Agreement payments has been increased to $174 from $140 to account for inflation since 2010.

Furthermore, the Fiscal Stabilization program has been adjusted to ensure provinces that do not index their personal income tax systems to inflation are treated consistently with those that do, making it easier for all provinces to qualify for the program.

These regulatory amendments are intended for implementation in the calculation of Equalization and TFF payments for the fiscal year 2024–2025 and the subsequent four fiscal years. The changes will come into force on the day they are registered, with the increased recovery limit effective from April 1, 2024, and the Fiscal Stabilization program changes effective from December 1, 2023, or upon registration if later. The Department of Finance is prepared to implement these changes immediately upon their effect. [Source]

Amendment to Financial Administration Act: Change in Ministerial Responsibility for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

The Governor General of Canada, upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation, has made an amendment to the Financial Administration Act, specifically to Schedule I.1. The amendment involves changing the ministerial responsibility for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. The previous reference to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities has been removed and replaced with a reference to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. [Source]

Transfer of Homelessness Policy Directorate to Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

The Governor General of Canada, upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation, has enacted an order under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act. This order transfers the responsibilities concerning the Homelessness Policy Directorate from the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. This change follows a previous transfer of duties that occurred in October 2021. [Source]

Canada Issues New Circulation Coins with King Charles III Effigy

The Canadian government has authorized the Royal Canadian Mint to issue new circulation coins featuring the left-facing effigy of His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Steven Rosati. This change reflects the transition of the Head of State and continues the tradition of the reigning monarch’s portrait facing the opposite direction of their predecessor. The new coins will include the existing denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 dollars, each maintaining their standard reverse designs and incorporating the new obverse portrait of King Charles III.

The 5-cent coin will depict a beaver, the 10-cent coin will feature the Bluenose sailing ship, the 25-cent coin will show a caribou, the 50-cent coin will display the Arms of His Majesty The King in Right of Canada, the 1-dollar coin will have a common loon, and the 2-dollar coin will portray a polar bear on an ice floe. Each coin will also include the year of issue and respective denominational value.

The new coin designs were developed following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the subsequent decision by the Canadian government. The design process involved a competition among artists and engravers, with the winning design submitted for approval to Buckingham Palace and then recommended to the Minister of Finance for consideration by the Governor in Council.

The 50-cent coin, while authorized, has no current plans for production for trade and commerce. The new coins will be produced and distributed with only the date of issue changing, and previously struck coins with Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy will remain in circulation.

The Royal Canadian Mint will manage the costs of creating new designs and tooling within its budget, and no significant costs for Canadians, businesses, or other stakeholders are anticipated. The Mint will communicate with stakeholders and the public to ensure awareness of the new coins’ status as current legal tender. The Order does not impose new administrative or compliance costs on businesses, and no impacts on small businesses, regulatory cooperation, or environmental assessment are expected. No gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts have been identified. The Order will come into force upon approval, and the Mint will then produce and distribute the coins for general circulation. [Source]

Canadian Minister of Small Business and Tourism Appointed as Designated Minister for Business Development Bank Act Responsibilities

The Canadian government has issued an order designating the Minister of Small Business and Tourism as the Designated Minister for the purposes of the Business Development Bank of Canada Act. Additionally, this minister is also designated as the appropriate Minister with respect to the Business Development Bank of Canada for the purposes of the Financial Administration Act. This order repeals a previous Order in Council from 2019. The Minister of Small Business and Tourism, who is a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, will now have the responsibilities and powers associated with these roles. [Source]

Repeal of Order in Council P.C. 2022-26 and Designation of Minister of Public Safety as Responsible for Parliamentary Employment Relations

The Governor General of Canada, upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has made two decisions: first, to repeal a previous Order in Council, specifically P.C. 2022-26, and second, to designate the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness as the responsible Minister for the purposes of the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act. [Source]

New Minister Appointed for Accessible Canada Act Implementation

The Canadian government has issued an order to designate the Minister of State (Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities) as the responsible Minister for the Accessible Canada Act. This change comes with the repeal of a previous order from July 2019. The Minister of State, who is a member of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, will now oversee the implementation and administration of the Act, which aims to enhance the accessibility for persons with disabilities across Canada. [Source]

Canada Amends Regulations for Enhanced GHG Emissions Reductions and Streamlined Processes

The Canadian government has amended the Output-Based Pricing System Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations to ensure continued greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, reduce administrative burdens, and improve implementation. Key changes include:

  1. Introduction of a 2% annual tightening rate for most output-based standards (OBSs) from 2023 onwards to maintain a marginal price on emissions, with a 1% rate for sectors at very high risk of competitiveness impacts and carbon leakage due to carbon pricing. No tightening rate is applied to electricity generation using fossil fuels.

  2. Addition of 12 new industrial activities to the existing list in Schedule 1 of the Regulations and prescription of their OBSs, based on emissions data from 2017-2019.

  3. Revision of some existing OBSs due to changes in global warming potential values and clarification of activity descriptions.

  4. Removal of detailed GHG emissions quantification methods from the Regulations, now specified in a separate document, to facilitate updates and harmonization with the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

  5. Streamlining of the voluntary participation process in the OBPS, including changes to the method for calculating site-specific OBSs and recognition of additional industrial activities.

  6. Exemption for remote electricity generation facilities primarily using liquid or gaseous fuels from being considered covered facilities.

  7. Clarification of requirements for the recognition and remittance of compliance units and related information.

  8. Changes to rules related to reporting and verification, including correction of errors or omissions and material discrepancy thresholds.

The amendments are expected to result in a net benefit of $640 million over the 2023-2032 period, with estimated GHG emissions reductions of 3.3 million tonnes of CO2e and societal benefits of $910 million, offset by a decrease in Canadian household welfare of $270 million due to reduced economic output. The amendments align with Canada’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. [Source]

Implementation Dates for Canada’s Retail Payment Activities Act Regulations Set

The Canadian government has set dates for the implementation of certain provisions of the Retail Payment Activities Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1. The provisions aim to enhance the safety and integrity of the financial system while fostering responsible innovation. Key dates include:

  • November 1, 2024: Provisions related to the application process for becoming a registered payment service provider (PSP) with the Bank of Canada will come into force. This includes sections that outline the application process, enforcement actions, and the authority for national security reviews by the Minister of Finance.
  • November 16, 2024: The requirement for PSPs to register before conducting retail payment activities will take effect.
  • September 8, 2025: The Bank of Canada will be required to publish a registry of PSPs, and provisions related to safeguarding end-user funds and managing operational risks will come into force.

The Act establishes a new supervisory regime for PSPs, such as payment processors and digital wallets, with the Bank of Canada overseeing compliance and maintaining a registry. The regime addresses risks to Canadians, including financial loss from business insolvency, unreliable payment services, and threats to personal and financial information.

The Act applies to electronic fund transfers between end users using PSPs and excludes entities like banks and credit unions. It also excludes certain activities, such as transactions among affiliated entities.

The implementation of the Act and associated regulations will impose direct and indirect costs on PSPs, including a registration fee and reporting requirements. However, these costs are considered small relative to the total transaction value in the Canadian payment system. The Act and regulations aim to ensure the stable, efficient, and safe movement of funds, with benefits to all Canadians.

The Bank of Canada will issue guidance to clarify supervisory expectations and will consult with the industry on this guidance. The remaining provisions of the Act, not covered by this order, relate to the recovery of the Bank of Canada’s supervisory costs through annual assessment fees from registered PSPs.

The Act and regulations align with international standards and were developed through extensive consultation with industry stakeholders, government organizations, and public consultations. The feedback received during the consultation period has been considered in finalizing the regulations. [Source]

Canada Establishes New Supervisory Regime for Payment Service Providers

The Retail Payment Activities Regulations in Canada establish a new supervisory regime for payment service providers (PSPs) to ensure the safety and efficiency of retail payment activities. These regulations, under the Retail Payment Activities Act, set standards for operational risk management and require PSPs to safeguard end-user funds to protect against financial loss in cases of insolvency. PSPs must register with the Bank of Canada and are subject to reporting requirements, including annual reports, incident reports, and significant change reports.

The regulations also address national security concerns by allowing the Minister of Finance to review PSPs for potential risks and take necessary actions, such as refusing registration or revoking it for national security reasons. The Bank of Canada is responsible for enforcing compliance with the Act and Regulations, promoting adherence among PSPs, and monitoring payment trends.

The regulations aim to foster consumer and business confidence in payment services, encourage responsible innovation, and maintain a competitive financial sector. Costs associated with the regulations are estimated to be minimal compared to the total transaction value of retail payments in Canada. The Bank of Canada will provide guidance to PSPs on compliance, and the regime is designed to be proportional to the risks posed by PSPs’ payment activities. The regulations align with international standards and practices in other jurisdictions. [Source]

Canada Expands Sanctions on Russia Targeting Media Figures and Entities

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to impose additional sanctions on Russia in response to its continued aggression and invasion of Ukraine. These amendments add nine individuals and six entities to the list of those subject to a dealings ban, targeting Russian media figures and organizations involved in disseminating disinformation and propaganda about the invasion. The sanctions are part of a broader international effort to support Ukraine and counter Russian disinformation, with Canada having committed over Can$9.5 billion in various forms of assistance to Ukraine since February 2022.

The sanctions are designed to impose economic costs on Russia and signal Canada’s condemnation of the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. They are aligned with actions taken by Canada’s allies and are intended to have minimal impact on Canadian businesses and citizens, as the targeted individuals and entities likely have limited connections to Canada. The sanctions are enforced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), with penalties for non-compliance including fines and imprisonment. The amendments are part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to counteract Russian disinformation campaigns. [Source]

Canada Removes Two Individuals from Russia Sanctions List Following Review

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to remove two individuals from the sanctions list. These individuals were previously designated under the sanctions regime, which was established in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including the illegal occupation of Crimea and the full-scale invasion in 2022. The sanctions involve asset freezes and prohibitions on transactions with listed persons.

The decision to delist the individuals came after they applied to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and provided evidence that they no longer met the criteria for being listed. The delisting process is a standard part of Canada’s sanctions framework, ensuring fairness and that only those who meet the listing criteria remain sanctioned.

The amendments will lift restrictions on the two individuals, allowing them to travel to Canada and engage in business with Canadians. There are no anticipated costs to businesses or the government due to the delisting, and it is not expected to impact Canada’s security objectives.

The changes were made without public consultation, as it was deemed inappropriate for this type of amendment. The amendments do not affect any modern treaty obligations, as they are not geographically specific. Regulations are the only method for delisting individuals under Canadian sanctions.

The amendments are not part of any international regulatory cooperation efforts and are not expected to have significant environmental impacts or gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts. The delisting is considered crucial for the fair application of sanctions and is based on the evidence provided in the individuals’ applications. The names of the individuals will be removed from the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List to aid in compliance with the regulations. [Source]

Canada Amends Sanctions, Removes Individual from Russia Restrictions List

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to remove one individual from the list of designated persons under Schedule 1. This action follows the presentation of evidence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that the individual no longer meets the criteria for inclusion on the list. The sanctions, initially imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine since 2014 and intensified following the 2022 invasion, aim to restrict dealings with listed individuals and entities to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The delisting process is a critical aspect of Canada’s sanctions framework, ensuring fairness and transparency by maintaining only those who meet the listing criteria. The amendment will lift restrictions on the individual, allowing them to travel to Canada and engage in business with Canadians. This change is not expected to have any significant costs or security risks for Canada.

The amendment was not subject to public consultation, as it was deemed inappropriate for this type of regulatory change. It also does not impact any modern treaty obligations or require a strategic environmental assessment. No significant gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) impacts have been identified.

The individual’s name will be removed from the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List to aid compliance with the updated Regulations, which take effect upon registration. [Source]

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to remove one individual from the list of designated persons under Schedule 1. This action follows the submission of evidence that the individual no longer meets the criteria for listing. The sanctions, initially imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine since 2014, include asset freezes and prohibitions on transactions with listed individuals and entities. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has led to further sanctions by Canada and its allies, targeting over 2,700 individuals and entities across Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, as well as sectoral restrictions.

Sanctions are linked to the resolution of the conflict and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, including Crimea. The delisting process is a key part of Canada’s sanctions framework, ensuring fairness and transparency. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reviews applications for removal from the sanctions list, with a decision required within 90 days. The amendment benefits the delisted individual by lifting restrictions on travel to Canada and business with Canadians. There are no anticipated costs or security risks to Canada from this delisting. The amendment does not impact small businesses, and no significant environmental effects or gender-based impacts have been identified. The changes are effective upon registration and will be reflected in the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List to aid compliance. [Source]

Canada Eases Export Regulations for Select Tobacco Brands

The Canadian government has amended regulations to relieve certain tobacco products from special duty and marking requirements. These changes allow 29 new brands of manufactured tobacco and 3 new cigarette brands to be exempt from these obligations, provided they meet specific criteria. This exemption is designed to help Canadian tobacco manufacturers be more competitive in foreign markets by reducing the administrative burden and costs associated with exporting their products.

The amendments were made to two sets of regulations under the Excise Act, 2001: the Regulations Relieving Special Duty on Certain Tobacco Products and the Regulations Respecting Prescribed Brands of Manufactured Tobacco and Prescribed Cigarettes. To qualify for the exemption, brands must not be commonly sold in Canada and must have different characteristics from those sold domestically.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires manufacturers to submit detailed business plans and supporting information to have their brands prescribed. The CRA ensures compliance with these regulations through audits and verification visits. The Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police also play roles in examining exports and enforcing tobacco laws, respectively. The amendments are intended to take effect on the day they are registered. [Source]

Canada Tightens Regulations on Elephant Ivory and Rhino Horn Trade

The Canadian government has amended the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations to further restrict the trade of elephant tusks and rhinoceros horns. These changes are made under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. The amendments specifically prohibit the import and export of raw elephant ivory and raw rhinoceros horn, except for specific non-commercial purposes such as for museums, scientific research, or law enforcement activities. Additionally, the amendments remove the exemption for worked elephant tusk or rhinoceros horn that was previously allowed as personal or household effects, meaning permits are now required for all such items.

The objective of these amendments is to contribute to the conservation of elephants and rhinoceroses by limiting Canada’s role in the international trade of ivory and horn, and to improve monitoring of cross-border movement of these items. The amendments align Canada with international efforts to combat poaching and illegal trade, responding to calls from CITES to close domestic markets that contribute to illegal trade and poaching.

The regulatory impact analysis indicates that the amendments will have some costs, primarily to the government for enforcement activities, and to individuals and businesses who will now require permits for items that previously did not need them. However, the amendments are expected to have benefits in terms of conservation efforts and providing a clearer picture of Canada’s participation in the trade of these items.

The amendments will not affect modern treaty agreements or Indigenous rights to harvest Canadian wildlife species such as walrus and narwhal, which also have ivory tusks. The government has consulted with various stakeholders, including Inuit organizations, conservation groups, and the public, and has considered the potential impacts on small businesses and musicians who travel with instruments containing ivory.

The amendments will come into force 60 days after registration, with a compliance strategy in place to educate and inform stakeholders about the new requirements. Enforcement will be carried out by various government agencies, and service standards for permit processing have been updated to reflect the changes. The amendments are expected to contribute to international biodiversity conservation goals and align with Canada’s commitments under the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and other international agreements. [Source]

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