Highlights

  • Two public servants in Canada have been authorized to run for political office, with leaves of absence granted for their campaign periods.
  • Amendments to immigration policies have been made to facilitate the application process for the Agri-food Immigration Class and study permits.
  • Certain outdated provisions of various Acts have been repealed.
  • The government is seeking diverse candidates for various leadership roles through a merit-based appointment process.
  • Credit Suisse AG and KOHO Financial Inc. are taking steps related to their operations in Canada, with opportunities for public input.
  • Canada Post Corporation proposes postage rate increases to address financial challenges, with a public consultation period open.
  • Regulatory amendments are proposed to facilitate local trade in Lloydminster, a city on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
  • The Canadian government is proposing regulations to ensure pay equity in ministers’ offices, with a public comment period available.

Canadian Public Servants Authorized to Run in Upcoming Federal and Provincial Elections

The Public Service Commission of Canada has authorized Rouba Al-Fattal, a Senior Economist at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, to pursue a nomination and candidacy in the upcoming federal election for the Kanata–Carleton district in Ontario, with the election expected by October 20, 2025. She has been granted a leave of absence without pay for the election period.

Similarly, Valaria Van Den Broek, a Detachment Services Assistant with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, has received permission to seek nomination and run in the provincial election for the Langley district in British Columbia, anticipated by October 19, 2024. She will also have a leave of absence without pay during her candidacy in the election period. [Source]

Updates to Canadian Immigration Policies and Government Appointments

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has issued amendments to the Ministerial Instructions for the Agri-food Immigration Class, which now allow foreign nationals applying from within Canada to be deemed as meeting certain requirements if they are in Canada and meet specific criteria on the application date. These amendments apply to pending applications as of the day the instructions take effect.

Additionally, new Ministerial Instructions have been established for the processing of study permit applications. These instructions require applicants to identify a Designated Learning Institution, which must confirm the acceptance of the foreign national for the program of study within 10 days of receiving the application. If the institution fails to do so, the application will be returned unprocessed. An electronic system, the Letter of Acceptance Verification Tool, is prescribed for this verification process. Fees for unprocessed applications will be refunded.

The Department of Justice has announced that certain provisions of various Acts were repealed on December 31, 2023, due to the operation of the Statutes Repeal Act.

The Privy Council Office has advertised various Governor in Council positions, emphasizing a transparent, merit-based appointment process that reflects Canada’s diversity. The government is seeking applications from Canadians for these leadership roles, which span a range of organizations and positions. [Source]

Credit Suisse AG Asset Release and KOHO Financial Inc.’s New Bank Application in Canada

Credit Suisse AG, Toronto Branch, is planning to request authorization from the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (Canada) to release its assets maintained in Canada as per the Bank Act. Stakeholders, such as depositors and creditors, have until March 6, 2024, to oppose this release by contacting the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

KOHO Financial Inc. intends to apply for the establishment of a Schedule I bank named “KOHO Bank” in English and “Banque KOHO” in French. The proposed bank will offer banking services including deposit and lending products to Canadian residents. Objections to this application can be submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions by April 18, 2024. The issuance of letters patent for the bank will depend on the standard review process and the discretion of the Minister of Finance. [Source]

Canada Post Proposes Postage Rate Increases for May 2024 to Address Financial Challenges

Canada Post Corporation is proposing amendments to various regulations under the Canada Post Corporation Act to address the financial pressures caused by inflation and the decreasing volume of letter mail. The proposed changes include an increase in postage rates for domestic and international letters and registered mail, effective May 6, 2024. The price of a domestic stamp for a letter weighing 30 grams or less will rise from $1.07 to $1.15, while stamps bought in booklets, coils, or panes will go from $0.92 to $0.99. Similar increases are proposed for other weight categories and for mail to the United States and other international destinations.

The rate adjustments are expected to generate an additional $23.8 million in gross revenue for Canada Post from May 2024 to April 2025. The average Canadian household is estimated to experience an annual cost increase of $0.65 due to these changes, while the average small business will see an increase of $12.07 per year. The amendments are not anticipated to add any administrative burden to businesses, and therefore the one-for-one rule does not apply.

The proposed rate increases are considered modest and aim to ensure the continued provision of postal services to all Canadians, including those in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, as well as seniors who may be more reliant on postal services due to lower internet access and usage.

Public consultations are required by the Act, and interested parties have 30 days from the notice publication to submit their representations. The regulatory proposal has been assessed for its impact on various factors, including small businesses, the environment, and gender-based analysis plus (GBA+). The proposed changes are not part of any international regulatory cooperation efforts. Canada Post will enforce the regulations and maintain its service standards as outlined in the Canadian Postal Service Charter. [Source]

Proposed CFIA Amendments to Ease Interprovincial Trade in Lloydminster

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing regulatory amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) to address the unique situation of Lloydminster, a city that straddles the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan. The amendments aim to exempt food commodities and businesses in both provinces from federal interprovincial trade requirements when food is sent or conveyed within Lloydminster. This change would align with the Lloydminster Charter, which allows the city to operate as a single municipality under Saskatchewan’s food inspection and regulatory oversight, even for businesses on the Alberta side.

Currently, food commodities crossing the provincial boundary within Lloydminster are subject to federal interprovincial trade requirements, including licensing, preventive controls, and traceability, which local businesses view as a barrier to trade. The proposed amendments would allow businesses to operate as if the city were not divided by a provincial border, reducing administrative burdens and facilitating local trade and economic growth.

The CFIA would continue to enforce food safety under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and other federal requirements that apply to all food sold in Canada. The proposed regulations would not affect food commodities being imported or exported, or food prepared for interprovincial trade outside of Lloydminster, which would still be subject to all applicable SFCA and SFCR requirements.

The CFIA has consulted with stakeholders, including provincial governments, the City of Lloydminster, industry groups, and local businesses, all of whom support the amendment. The proposed regulations are part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to addressing internal trade challenges and are not expected to impact international trade or modern treaty obligations. The regulations would come into force on the day they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. [Source]

Proposed Pay Equity Regulations for Canadian Ministers’ Offices

The Canadian government is proposing regulations to apply the Pay Equity Act to ministers’ offices, treating them as a single employer for the purpose of creating a pay equity plan. This grouping will be recognized by the Pay Equity Commissioner. If a new Prime Minister is appointed, the grouping will be subject to the Act from the date of the appointment. When a new Prime Minister is appointed, the existing pay equity plan will no longer apply, and any obligations related to it will cease. However, if a new minister is appointed without a change in Prime Minister, the new minister assumes the existing pay equity plan and its obligations.

Certain sections of the Pay Equity Act will not apply to the grouping during a phase-in period. The regulations also include adaptations for how the Act applies to the grouping, particularly regarding the number of employees, the posting of revised pay equity plans, and the calculation of penalties for violations.

Interested parties have 30 days from the publication of the notice to make representations concerning the proposed regulations. Comments can be submitted online or sent to the specified address, and they must adhere to certain terms of use, such as not containing personal information or hate speech. Confidential Business Information should be submitted in a designated text box and will not be made publicly available. Public comments will be posted on the Canada Gazette website for at least 10 years. Personal information collected is protected under the Privacy Act. [Source]

Proposed Canadian Regulations for Pay Equity in Ministers’ Offices

The Canadian government is proposing regulations to ensure pay equity in ministers’ offices, addressing the requirement that federally regulated employers with 10 or more employees provide equal pay for work of equal value. The Pay Equity Act and Regulations, effective since 2021, have identified implementation challenges in ministers’ offices, such as inconsistencies in pay equity outcomes and difficulties in maintaining pay equity plans due to the federal election cycle and potential changes in ministry.

To address these issues, the proposed Order Grouping Ministers’ Offices for the Purpose of a Pay Equity Plan would group all ministers’ offices to establish and update a single pay equity plan for ministerial staff. This aims to create consistency and efficiency in pay equity practices across different ministers’ offices.

The proposed regulations would ensure all ministers’ offices are subject to the Pay Equity Act, regardless of staff numbers, allowing all ministerial staff to benefit from the regime. The regulations would also adapt provisions applicable to groups of employers to ministers’ offices grouped by Order in Council (OIC), set a date when these offices become subject to the Act, and reduce the time allowed for updating pay equity plans from five to three years to align with the election cycle.

Additionally, the regulations would require ministers’ offices to provide compensation increases in a lump sum rather than phasing them in, ensuring staff receive full compensation owed before any change in ministry. The regulations would also adapt the administrative monetary penalties system to include ministers’ offices with fewer than 10 staff and for calculating staff numbers in these offices.

Consultations with stakeholders, including ministers’ offices, have shown support for the proposed approach. The regulations are expected to create cost savings and efficiencies compared to the current scenario where each minister’s office must develop individual pay equity plans. The proposed regulations would not impact small businesses and are not part of any formal regulatory cooperation or alignment with other jurisdictions. A gender-based analysis indicates that the regulations would primarily benefit women, especially those from marginalized groups, who are more likely to face a larger gender wage gap.

The proposed regulations and order are intended to come into force in spring 2024, with the Pay Equity Commissioner responsible for administration and enforcement. Interested parties may submit comments within 30 days of the notice’s publication. [Source]

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