Highlights

  • Ministerial assignments have been changed, with Steven Garrett MacKinnon now serving as Minister of Labour and Seniors.
  • Remission of fees is granted for replacing documents lost due to the 2024 Canadian wildfires, aiming to alleviate financial burdens on affected individuals.
  • Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act require reporting significant new activities involving certain substances to assess potential risks.
  • Changes to the Canada Grain Regulations improve soybean grading consistency and enhance barley variety identification for food use.
  • Generation PGM Inc. plans to develop a mine in Ontario, which will destroy fish habitats; a compensation plan will create new habitats to offset the loss.

Changes in Ministerial Assignments: MacKinnon Appointed Minister of Labour and Seniors

The Governor General in Council, on the Prime Minister’s recommendation, has made changes to ministerial assignments under the Ministries and Ministers of State Act. The assignment of Steven Garrett MacKinnon, previously made in January 2024, and the assignment of Seamus Thomas Harris O’Regan, made in July 2023, have both been terminated. Steven Garrett MacKinnon, who was the Minister of State (Seniors), is now assigned as the Minister of Labour and Seniors to assist the Minister of Employment and Social Development. [Source]

Fee Remission for Document Replacement Due to 2024 Canadian Wildfires

Remission is granted for fees related to replacing certain documents lost, damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible due to the 2024 Canadian wildfires. This applies to Canadian travel documents, permanent resident cards, and certificates of Canadian citizenship. To qualify, individuals must have been in or resided in affected areas between April 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024, and must apply for replacements by November 30, 2024, including a declaration and proof of residence or presence in the affected area.

The remission order aims to alleviate the financial burden on those impacted by the wildfires, consistent with the government’s approach to previous natural disasters. The total projected cost of foregone revenues from these remissions is estimated at $27,490. The order covers various fees, including those for urgent and express services, passport pick-up, and consular services.

Consultations were held with relevant government departments, and the remissions will be reported in annual fees reports and public accounts. The initiative is intended to support individuals facing loss of income, employment, and additional expenses due to the wildfires. [Source]

Amendments to CEPA 1999: New Reporting Requirements for Industrial Chemicals

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has been amended to include three substances—oxirane, [(2-propenyloxy)methyl]- (AGE), oxirane, [(2-methylphenoxy)methyl]- (o-CGE), and 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, 1,3,5-tris(oxiranylmethyl)- (TGIC)—under the Domestic Substances List. The Ministers of Environment and Health suspect that significant new activities involving these substances could pose environmental or human health risks. Consequently, any significant new activities involving these substances must be reported to the Minister at least 90 days before they begin.

The substances are primarily used in industrial and commercial applications, such as resin intermediates, adhesives, sealants, and coatings. The amendments require detailed information about the proposed new activities, including descriptions, quantities, and potential adverse effects on health and the environment. The information will be assessed within 90 days of receipt.

The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) aims to reduce risks from substances to Canadians and the environment. The significant new activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA are used to request information on potential risks from new uses of substances. The substances do not naturally occur in the environment and are used in various industrial and consumer products. The amendments do not impose regulatory requirements on existing activities but target potential new activities that could increase exposure to these substances.

The amendments are part of the CMP’s broader objective to protect the environment and human health by managing risks associated with chemical substances. The regulatory changes are expected to have a positive impact on the environment and human health, aligning with international agreements and regulatory practices. Compliance promotion activities will be conducted to raise awareness among stakeholders, and enforcement will follow the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for CEPA. [Source]

Amendments to Canada Grain Regulations for Soybean and Barley Grading

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has amended the Canada Grain Regulations to improve consistency in soybean grading and enhance the identification of barley varieties specific to food use. The amendments update Table 23 for soybeans and Tables 10 and 48 for barley.

For soybeans, the phrase “may be badly stained” in the grading factor for No. 4 and No. 5 Canada grades is replaced with “may be stained” to align with the No. 3 Canada grade. This change ensures consistent grading for soybeans with staining levels worse than the No. 2 Canada grade. Additionally, the grading factor “Other Colours or Bicoloured Other Than for Mixed Soybeans” is replaced with “Other Colours,” treating bicoloured soybeans as any other seed coat discolouration.

For barley, a new “Variety” column is added to the grading specifications in Tables 10 and 48, detailing specific varieties for each barley grade name. This change allows for the identification and recognition of barley varieties specific to food use, benefiting the entire barley value chain.

The amendments were supported by the Eastern and Western Standards Committees and will come into force on August 1, 2024. The changes do not impact administrative costs or small businesses in Canada. [Source]

Development of Marathon Mine with Fish Habitat Compensation Plan

Generation PGM Inc. plans to develop an open pit platinum group metal and copper mine near Marathon, Ontario, which will destroy 10 water bodies frequented by fish, totaling 3.66 hectares of fish habitat. The Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) allow for the disposal of mine waste in waters frequented by fish under certain conditions. The amendments will list these water bodies in Schedule 2 of the MDMER, designating them as tailings impoundment areas (TIAs) and authorizing their destruction for mine waste disposal.

The Proponent assessed several options for mine waste disposal, considering environmental, technical, economic, and socio-economic factors. The selected sites for the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and Mine Rock Storage Area (MRSA) were deemed the best overall. The TSF will store 134 million tonnes of tailings and mine rock, while the MRSA will store 330 million tonnes of mine rock.

To offset the loss of fish habitat, the Proponent must develop and implement a fish habitat compensation plan (FHCP), estimated to cost $1.9 million over 10 years. The FHCP will create 11.74 hectares of new fish habitat, more than compensating for the loss.

The project underwent both provincial and federal environmental assessments, concluding that it is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with appropriate mitigation measures. Indigenous communities were consulted, and their feedback was incorporated into the FHCP. The Proponent has agreements with several Indigenous communities to ensure ongoing consultation and benefits.

The amendments will authorize the deposit of mine waste into the designated water bodies, subject to compliance with the MDMER and the approved FHCP. The Proponent must provide a financial guarantee to cover the cost of the FHCP, and the implementation of the plan will be monitored to ensure compliance. [Source]

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