Highlights

  • The CRTC has issued decisions on broadcasting undertakings and consultations for Alberta.
  • The CUSMA Secretariat completed a panel review on U.S. determinations about Canadian tin mill products.
  • The IJC is addressing transboundary water pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed.
  • The Governor General of Canada has made appointments and awarded honors for various services and acts of bravery.
  • Permanent residence fees in Canada will increase in 2024.
  • The Department of the Environment has updated the Non-domestic Substances List and granted waivers for certain information requirements.
  • Health Canada’s National Dosimetry Services has revised its fee schedule.
  • The Department of Transport has set a new levy for crude oil shipments by rail.
  • The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has updated the list of banks operating in Canada.
  • Opportunities for Governor in Council appointments have been announced.
  • Olympia Trust Company and Scotia General Insurance Company are seeking approvals for corporate continuances under federal acts.
  • The CNSC is proposing regulatory amendments to align with international nuclear non-proliferation obligations and update export controls.
  • The Canadian Aviation Regulations are being amended to address personnel qualifications, training, and licensing, including implementing a TSB safety recommendation.

Recent CRTC Decisions, CUSMA Panel Review Completion, and IJC Transboundary Water Pollution Initiative

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released various decisions, notices, and regulatory policies. Decisions include approvals for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio stations in Quebec and Ontario, and North Superior Broadcasting Ltd.’s stations in Ontario. A notice of consultation for Calgary, Alberta, has been issued with a deadline for interventions. Decisions also cover market capacity findings for Calgary and broadcasting undertakings in Nova Scotia and Ontario.

The CUSMA Secretariat announced the completion of a panel review concerning the final determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce on Canadian tin mill products, with no complaints filed within the limitation period.

The International Joint Commission (IJC) received a reference from the Canadian and U.S. governments to address transboundary water pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed. The IJC will establish a governance body and a study board to facilitate data sharing and develop a common understanding of the pollution and its impacts. The study board will report back with findings and recommendations within two years. The IJC encourages public engagement and offers to keep interested parties updated through a mailing list. [Source]

Recent Canadian Honors: Appointments to the Order of St. John and Bravery Decorations

The Governor General of Canada has made several appointments and awarded honors on behalf of The King. Canadians have been appointed to the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, with individuals being named as Knights, Dames, Commanders, Officers, and Members. Meritorious Service Decorations have been awarded in both the Military and Civil Divisions, recognizing exceptional deeds and achievements. The Military Division honors include the Meritorious Service Cross and Medal, with some individuals receiving second awards. The Civil Division honors include the Meritorious Service Cross and Medal for contributions to various fields. Additionally, Canadian Bravery Decorations have been conferred, with the Medal of Bravery and the Star of Courage recognizing acts of heroism. The Canadian Heraldic Authority will no longer publish notices of grants, registrations, or approvals of heraldic emblems in the Canada Gazette but will update the online Public Register of Arms, Flags, and Badges of Canada. [Source]

Recent Updates on Canadian Government Fees, Environmental Regulations, Financial Institutions, and Appointments

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration has announced an increase in permanent residence fees, effective April 30, 2024. The new fees are adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index for Canada and rounded to the nearest five dollars. The updated fees affect various programs, including economic pilots, family reunification, and humanitarian considerations. Inquiries about the fee changes can be directed to Martin Mulligan at IRCC.

The Department of the Environment has amended the Non-domestic Substances List, adding numerous chemical substances. The Order comes into force on the day of its publication in the Canada Gazette.

The Department of the Environment has also granted waivers for certain information requirements concerning living organisms under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. These waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis and are detailed in the annex provided.

Health Canada’s National Dosimetry Services (NDS) has updated its Products, Services, and Fees Schedule, effective April 1, 2024. The changes aim to align revenues with expenses while maintaining quality services. The schedule outlines fees for core services, additional services, and penalties for overdue, lost, or damaged dosimeters.

The Department of Transport has set the levy for shipments of crude oil by rail at $2.07 per tonne for the year starting April 1, 2024, as part of the Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods.

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has provided an updated list of banks under Schedules I, II, and III as of December 31, 2023, detailing the names and head offices of banks operating in Canada.

Lastly, the Privy Council Office has listed current opportunities for Governor in Council appointments across various organizations, emphasizing a merit-based, transparent process that reflects Canada’s diversity. [Source]

Olympia Trust Company’s Federal Continuance and Scotia General Insurance Company’s Corporate Transition Plans

Olympia Trust Company, currently operating under Alberta’s Loan and Trust Corporations Act, is planning to apply for a continuance to become a trust company under the federal Trust and Loan Companies Act (TLCA). The company will retain its name in both English and French. Objections to this proposal can be submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions by a specified date.

Scotia General Insurance Company (SGIC) intends to seek approval from the Minister of Finance to continue as a corporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). The SGIC board has the right to withdraw the application before it is acted upon, without needing further approval from its sole shareholder. Approval from the Minister of Finance is not guaranteed and is subject to a standard review process. [Source]

Proposed Amendments to Canadian Nuclear Regulations for Enhanced Non-proliferation and Streamlined Export Controls

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is proposing amendments to the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations (GNSCR) and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations (NNIECR) to align with Canada’s international obligations regarding nuclear non-proliferation and to update export controls. The changes to the GNSCR will require persons possessing nuclear materials or engaged in nuclear-related activities to report quantities and activities annually, notify the CNSC of inventory changes within one business day, allow verification access to the CNSC and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and retain records for a minimum of five years. The amendments will also remove the requirement to present a physical CNSC licence when importing or exporting prescribed information.

The NNIECR will be updated to reflect the latest international control lists, introduce licence exemptions for low-risk nuclear substances, enhance licensing information requirements, and harmonize record retention periods with other domestic statutes. The proposed changes aim to reduce the regulatory burden and costs for licensees, improve efficiency at the border, and ensure compliance with regulations. The CNSC will conduct outreach and educational sessions to facilitate the implementation of these regulations. The proposed amendments are expected to result in a net benefit to stakeholders and the government. Public comments on the proposed regulations are invited within a specified period. [Source]

Amendments to Canadian Aviation Regulations Enhance Safety and Reduce Administrative Burden

The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are being amended to address issues related to personnel qualifications, training, and licensing. These changes aim to clarify ambiguous provisions, resolve inconsistencies in terminology, align validity periods with industry practices, and remove unnecessary administrative burdens. Additionally, they address a safety concern identified by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) regarding instrument flight rules (IFR) recency requirements.

Key amendments include:

  • Standardizing terminology such as replacing “pilot license” with “pilot licence” and “simulator” with “full-flight simulator.”
  • Codifying long-standing exemptions to allow test pilots to fly without specific aircraft type ratings and to permit simulator use to meet recency requirements.
  • Adding definitions for “family member” and “cross-country flight time” to ensure consistency in training.
  • Aligning language proficiency validity periods with industry practice and clarifying medical certificate validity periods.
  • Simplifying record retention and satellite base operation procedures to reduce administrative tasks for flight schools and the government.

The proposed changes are expected to result in cost savings for flight schools and the government, as well as improved safety for private pilots and their passengers. The amendments will also address a TSB recommendation to shorten the recency period for IFR flights from 12 to 6 months to maintain pilot proficiency.

The regulations will come into force on the day of their publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and will be enforced through administrative monetary penalties or other measures as appropriate. Compliance with the new IFR recency requirements will be expected immediately upon the regulations coming into force. [Source]

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