Highlights

  • The Canada Revenue Agency is revoking the registration of three charities that have merged with other organizations.
  • The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has ruled on two procurement complaints, upholding one and dismissing the other.
  • The CRTC has released various documents, including decisions and notices, and is accepting interventions for a new application.
  • Certain entities must report information on plastic resins and products to the Federal Plastics Registry, with potential publication of some data.
  • A correction was issued for a notice on guidelines to reduce dyes from pulp and paper mills.
  • An assessment concluded that 34 substances do not pose a risk and require no further action under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
  • The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has approved the amalgamation of two trust companies.
  • The Privy Council Office is seeking diverse candidates for various Governor in Council appointments.
  • Proposed amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations aim to improve the Ministerial Relief application process for inadmissible foreign nationals.
  • A new agency, the Canadian Industrial Hemp Promotion-Research Agency, is being established to support the hemp sector through research and marketing.
  • The Department of Transport is proposing zoning regulations for Vancouver International Airport to ensure its future viability and safe operations.

Canada Revenue Agency to Revoke Registrations of Merged Charities, CITT Rules on Procurement Complaints, CRTC Updates on Broadcasting Licenses and Fees

The Canada Revenue Agency has announced its intention to revoke the registration of three charities that have merged or consolidated with other organizations. The charities include The Biggar Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses Incorporated, Scarborough Creole Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Highlands Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has made determinations on two separate complaints regarding procurement processes managed by the Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC). The first complaint by EBC Inc. was found to be valid, as PWGSC did not consider information supplied by EBC in a timely manner. The second complaint by St. Michaels Investment Group Canada Inc. was deemed not valid, as the Tribunal found no irregularities in the procurement process that declared St. Michaels’ bid non-responsive.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has posted various documents on its website, including decisions, notices of consultation, and regulatory policies. A Part 1 application from 9188-7208 Québec inc. for CKVD-FM in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, has been announced with a deadline for interventions set. Additionally, the CRTC has released decisions regarding the renewal of broadcasting licenses for several radio stations in Alberta and Ontario, and an order concerning broadcasting fees in Ottawa. [Source]

Canadian Environmental Updates: Plastic Reporting, Pulp and Paper Mills Guidelines, Substance Assessments, and Financial Institution Amalgamation

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 requires certain persons, as detailed in Schedules 3 to 5, to report information on plastic resins and specific plastic products to the Federal Plastics Registry for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026. The information must be submitted through an online portal by specified deadlines for each year. Those subject to the notice must keep the information, along with supporting data, for three years after submission. The Minister of the Environment intends to publish some of the collected information, but confidentiality requests can be made. Non-compliance with the notice’s requirements may result in legal consequences.

The Department of the Environment has also issued a correction regarding the signature date of a previous notice about the Guidelines for the Reduction of Dyes Released from Pulp and Paper Mills.

Additionally, a final decision has been published after the assessment of 34 substances listed on the Domestic Substances List. These substances, primarily used in consumer products and industrial applications, have been determined not to pose a risk to the environment or human health and will not require further action under the Act.

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has issued letters patent for the amalgamation of MD Private Trust Company and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company, effective May 1, 2024. An order to commence and carry on business has also been authorized for the newly amalgamated entity.

Lastly, the Privy Council Office announces various Governor in Council appointment opportunities across different organizations, inviting applications from diverse and talented Canadians. These positions aim to reflect Canada’s diversity and promote a healthy, respectful, and harassment-free work environment. [Source]

Proposed Amendments to Enhance Integrity of Canada’s Ministerial Relief Process for Inadmissible Foreign Nationals

The Canadian government is proposing amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to improve the integrity and efficiency of the Ministerial Relief (MR) application process for foreign nationals inadmissible on serious grounds such as security, organized criminality, or human or international rights violations. The proposed changes aim to:

  1. Clarify procedures for applications sent to incorrect locations, ensuring they are submitted to a specified address to maintain processing priority and prevent fraud.
  2. Require individuals with a previously denied MR application and an enforceable removal order to comply with the order and leave Canada before submitting a subsequent MR application. Exceptions include Convention refugees, persons in need of protection, and cases where non-compliance with the removal order is not the applicant’s fault.
  3. Allow the closure of pending MR applications if the applicant fails to comply with reporting conditions to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), with a 90-day grace period to report without application closure, unless non-compliance is beyond the applicant’s control.
  4. Permit the closure of an MR application if the applicant is found inadmissible on new serious grounds after the initial application, requiring a new MR application addressing all inadmissibilities.
  5. Close an MR application if the applicant is found inadmissible for complicity in war crimes or crimes against humanity, for which MR cannot be granted.
  6. Require a personal, dated signature from the applicant when responding to a notice confirming their intention to proceed with their MR application.

The proposed amendments are designed to align with broader government priorities, including immigration enforcement and public safety. They will not impact small businesses and are consistent with Canada’s obligations under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The changes will be implemented upon publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and will be reflected in updated CBSA guidance. Public comments on the proposed regulations are invited within 30 days of the notice’s publication. [Source]

Establishment of Canadian Industrial Hemp Promotion-Research Agency

The Canadian Industrial Hemp Promotion-Research Agency (PRA) is being established to coordinate national efforts in funding research and marketing activities for the industrial hemp sector. This agency will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian hemp in both domestic and international markets, contributing to the rural economy and diversifying the agricultural sector.

Industrial hemp, defined as cannabis with 0.3% or less THC, has been legal since 1998, but there are gaps in research and consumer knowledge about its uses and benefits. The PRA will be funded by a levy of 0.5% on the value of sales of primary hemp products and imported hemp products, which is expected to initially generate around $200,000 in revenue, potentially increasing to over $400,000.

The PRA will consist of nine members representing hemp producers and importers from hemp-producing provinces. It will be headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The agency’s activities will include promoting hemp products, conducting research to improve production methods and product quality, and developing export markets. The PRA will operate on a self-sustaining financial basis, with an annual budget and business plan reviewed by the Farm Products Council of Canada (FPCC).

The establishment of the PRA is expected to have minimal impact on small businesses and consumer prices, and no disproportionate impact on Indigenous peoples. The PRA will work in alignment with provincial regulations and may enter into memoranda of understanding with hemp-producing provinces for levy collection and promotion and research activities. Complaints about the PRA’s actions can be filed with the FPCC. The PRA will review its promotion and research plan every five years to ensure its effectiveness and make necessary modifications. [Source]

Proposed Vancouver International Airport Zoning Regulations for Safety and Expansion

The Canadian Department of Transport is proposing the Vancouver International Airport Zoning Regulations to address three main issues: the future viability and safe operations of the airport, wildlife hazards and communication interference, and updating airport terminology to align with current standards.

The Vancouver Airport Authority has identified the need for an additional runway within the next 30 years to accommodate increasing air traffic. Two potential locations for this runway have been reserved, but rapid development in surrounding municipalities could jeopardize this if protective measures are not taken now. The proposed regulations aim to restrict building heights and land uses around these areas to ensure the airport can expand when necessary.

The regulations also seek to update existing rules to better manage wildlife hazards, particularly bird strikes, by prohibiting land uses that attract wildlife. Additionally, they aim to prevent interference with signals or communications to and from aircraft, which is critical for safety, especially during poor visibility conditions.

The terminology used in the current regulations does not match the latest standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The proposed regulations will update the language to ensure consistency with these international standards.

The proposed regulations will not affect existing buildings or approved construction plans, as these will be considered legally non-conforming. The regulations are designed to ensure aviation safety and the future operational viability of the airport. Public and Indigenous consultations have been conducted, with no significant concerns raised. The regulations will come into force once the necessary documents are deposited in the local land titles office. Compliance and enforcement will be managed by Transport Canada and the Vancouver Airport Authority. [Source]

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