Highlights

  • The Governor in Council has empowered Chicken Farmers of Canada to implement a marketing plan, setting new chicken production quotas for provinces.
  • The Minister of the Environment has updated the Domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, adding and removing various substances based on assessments.
  • Seven substances have been added to the Domestic Substances List, and Significant New Activity requirements for five substances have been rescinded.
  • The Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area in the Arctic Ocean has been designated to protect its unique habitat, with restrictions on activities that could harm the area.
  • The protection period for the Tuvaijuittuq MPA has been extended to allow for further research, consultations, and development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area.
  • The MPA supports marine conservation targets and Inuit socio-economic and cultural equity, with ongoing consultations to align protection measures with local and national interests.

New Chicken Production Quotas Set for Canadian Provinces for Late 2024

The Governor in Council has established Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) under the Farm Products Agencies Act, empowering CFC to implement a marketing plan. Following the required process for quota allocation changes, the National Farm Products Council approved the proposed amendments to the Canadian Chicken Marketing Quota Regulations. These amendments set new limits for the production and marketing of chicken for the period from August 25, 2024, to October 19, 2024. The schedule specifies production quotas for each province, including separate quotas for market development and specialty chicken. The total production quotas are distributed among provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Newfoundland and Labrador. [Source]

Amendments to the Domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act

The Minister of the Environment has added several substances to the Domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, after the required information was provided and assessed. No conditions are in effect for these substances. The amendments include adding specific substances to Part 1 of the List and deleting certain substances from Part 2. Additionally, new substances have been added to Part 3 of the List. The changes come into force upon registration. [Source]

Updates to the Domestic Substances List and Rescinding of SNAc Requirements under CEPA

The Minister of the Environment, with the Minister of Health, has assessed information on seven substances and determined they meet the criteria for addition to the Domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Consequently, six chemicals and polymers and one living organism are being added to the list. Additionally, the Significant New Activity (SNAc) requirements for five substances are being rescinded as they no longer pose ecological or health concerns.

Substances not on the Domestic Substances List are considered new to Canada and must undergo notification and assessment to identify potential risks. The Domestic Substances List, which includes eight parts, is regularly updated to reflect new information. Chemicals, polymers, and living organisms must be added to the list if they meet specific criteria, including being manufactured or imported into Canada in significant quantities.

The orders to amend the list are administrative and do not impose new regulatory requirements or costs on businesses. They facilitate access to the substances for businesses by removing them from the notification requirements. The orders are in force, and compliance is enforced under CEPA’s compliance and enforcement policy. For questions or concerns, individuals are encouraged to contact the Substances Management Information Line. [Source]

Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area: Safeguarding Arctic Ice Habitat and Indigenous Rights

The Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Arctic Ocean, off northern Ellesmere Island, has been designated to protect its unique and critically important habitat. This area is significant due to its multi-year pack ice, which supports Arctic under-ice communities and ice-dependent species. The MPA aims to preserve this habitat as climate change continues to reduce sea ice across the Arctic.

The designation prohibits activities that could disturb, damage, or destroy the area’s geological or biological features, with exceptions for national defense activities, marine scientific research, marine navigation by foreign entities, and the laying and maintenance of cables and pipelines by foreign states. Inuit wildlife harvesting rights under the Nunavut Agreement are also exempt.

The initial five-year protection period, established in 2019, was extended due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered consultations and feasibility studies for long-term protection. The new order provides an additional five years to complete necessary research, consultations, and the development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA).

The MPA contributes to Canada’s marine conservation targets and supports the goals of the Inuit Nunangat Policy, promoting socio-economic and cultural equity for Inuit communities. The area is expected to become a crucial refuge for ice-associated species as sea ice continues to decline.

Consultations with Inuit communities, stakeholders, and various organizations have been ongoing to ensure the protection measures align with local and national interests. The MPA’s management includes monitoring and enforcement by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with penalties for violations.

The continued protection of Tuvaijuittuq is essential for maintaining biodiversity, supporting ecosystem health, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The MPA also provides opportunities for scientific research and public education about the importance of this unique Arctic region. [Source]

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