Highlights

  • The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is holding a hearing on the classification of electric bidet toilet seats and reviewing an order on carbon steel welded pipe to assess the impact of its expiry on domestic industry.
  • A Compliance Officer at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada has been authorized to run for federal election and granted leave.
  • Amendments to the Rural and Northern Community Immigration Class instructions have been made, affecting the validity period of recommendations.
  • The Minister of the Environment has imposed conditions on the manufacture or import of a potentially toxic substance for experimental studies.
  • Health Canada is seeking public input on updating regulations for tobacco and vaping product reporting.
  • Various federal appointments have been announced, including the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and opportunities for Governor in Council positions are open.
  • Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd. intends to apply to insure risks in Canada, with operations based in Toronto.

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Hearings and Reviews; Compliance Officer Granted Election Candidacy Permission

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) is set to hold a public hearing via videoconference to consider appeals concerning the classification of electric bidet toilet seats. The dispute is whether these seats should be classified under tariff item 8516.79.90 as “other electro-thermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes” as determined by the President of the Canada Border Services Agency, or under tariff item 8543.70.00 as “other electrical machines and apparatus” as claimed by the appellants, American Standards Brands and Andrew Sheret Purchasing Ltd.

Additionally, the CITT has announced it will initiate an expiry review of its order on carbon steel welded pipe, which was first made in 2008 and subsequently continued in 2013 and 2019. This review will determine whether the expiry of the order is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping or subsidizing of the subject goods from China. The Canada Border Services Agency will first assess the likelihood of dumping or subsidizing resuming if the order expires, and if so, the Tribunal will then determine if this would likely injure the domestic industry. Decisions and reasons from the Tribunal are expected by December 24, 2024.

The Public Service Commission of Canada has granted Cinnamon Bhayani, a Compliance Officer at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, permission to seek nomination and be a candidate in the federal election for the electoral district of Burnaby North–Seymour, British Columbia, expected by October 20, 2025. Bhayani has also been granted a leave of absence without pay for the election period. [Source]

Recent Amendments and Appointments in Canadian Government Agencies and Regulatory Updates

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has amended the Ministerial Instructions for the Rural and Northern Community Immigration Class. Recommendations issued before February 29, 2024, are valid for six months from the date of issue, while those issued on or after March 1, 2024, are valid until August 31, 2024. If a recommendation is revoked or the economic development organization is removed, the recommendation becomes invalid.

The Minister of the Environment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has set conditions for the manufacture or import of a substance with the Confidential Accession Number 19706-4, due to suspicions of toxicity. The notifier is permitted to manufacture or import the substance only for use in experimental studies. Restrictions include informing the Minister 120 days before starting an experimental study and providing environmental monitoring data. Waste must be disposed of according to specific methods, and any release of the substance must be reported immediately.

Health Canada is seeking feedback on potential regulatory measures to modernize and consolidate the Tobacco Reporting Regulations and the Vaping Products Reporting Regulations. The aim is to collect additional information on industry practices, modernize reporting requirements, streamline processes, and consolidate regulations for tobacco and vaping products into a single set.

The Office of the Registrar General has announced various appointments, including Arif Virani as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and several others to positions in different organizations such as the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization, Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The Privy Council Office has listed current opportunities for Governor in Council positions open for applications, including roles in various organizations such as the Bank of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The government seeks to reflect Canada’s diversity in these appointments and maintain a respectful and harassment-free work environment. [Source]

Endurance Specialty Insurance Seeks Canadian Market Entry for Diverse Risk Coverage

Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd., a Bermuda-based insurer, plans to apply for permission to insure risks in Canada across various classes including property, liability, boiler and machinery, fidelity, automobile, marine, surety, and aircraft. The application will be filed with the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. The company’s Canadian operations will be headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, and it is a subsidiary of Sompo Holdings, Inc., a Japanese corporation. [Source]

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