Highlights

  • The Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency has revised turkey production quotas for various provinces to reflect current market conditions.
  • The Minister of Health has simplified the exemption process for cannabis licence holders selling exclusively for medical purposes, reducing compliance burdens.
  • New rules for nicotine replacement therapies aim to reduce their appeal and accessibility to young people while maintaining access for adults trying to quit smoking.
  • Canada has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities in Belarus due to human rights violations and support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • An individual has been removed from Canada’s sanctions list against Myanmar following a review, reflecting the fair application of sanctions.

Revised Turkey Production Quotas for Canadian Provinces 2024-2025

The Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency, established under the Farm Products Agencies Act, has amended the Canadian Turkey Marketing Quota Regulations, 1990. The Agency, having considered market changes and other relevant factors, has revised the market allotments for turkey producers across various provinces for the control period from April 28, 2024, to April 26, 2025. The new quotas are as follows: Ontario - 161,994,630 pounds, Quebec - 73,372,303 pounds, Nova Scotia - 9,523,120 pounds, New Brunswick - 7,585,992 pounds, Manitoba - 29,067,492 pounds, British Columbia - 41,411,508 pounds, Saskatchewan - 11,349,095 pounds, and Alberta - 31,244,056 pounds, totaling 365,548,196 pounds. These changes are intended to reflect the current market conditions and ensure the effective implementation of the marketing plan. [Source]

Amendments to Cannabis Fees Order Simplify Exemption Process for Medical Cannabis Licence Holders

The Minister of Health has amended the Cannabis Fees Order to address issues with the annual regulatory fee exemption for licence holders selling cannabis exclusively for medical purposes. The amendments aim to simplify the exemption process and ensure that licence holders in their final year of operation can qualify for the exemption. Key changes include:

  1. Licence holders whose licences are revoked or expire by September 30, or who notify Health Canada of their intent to cease activities by this date, are exempt from submitting a declaration of intent.
  2. The deadline for submitting the declaration of intent has been extended from 30 days to 60 days for new licence holders and from April 30 to September 30 for existing licence holders.
  3. The requirement to submit a statement of cannabis revenue and a year-end attestation has been removed.

These changes are expected to increase exemption qualification rates, reduce compliance burdens, and maintain the policy intent of providing quality-controlled cannabis for medical purposes. The amendments will result in compliance cost savings for affected licence holders and more efficient use of resources for Health Canada. The amendments come into force upon publication, and Health Canada will update guidance documents and notify licence holders accordingly. [Source]

Regulations to Control Nicotine Replacement Therapy Appeal and Accessibility to Youth

The Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies Order addresses concerns about the appeal and accessibility of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) to young people. NRTs, which help people quit smoking by delivering nicotine through gums, patches, lozenges, or sprays, are regulated under the Natural Health Products Regulations. The Order introduces several key measures:

  1. Product Licensing and Labeling: Applications for NRT product licenses must include mock-ups of labels and packages. Changes to brand names or non-medicinal ingredients affecting flavor require an amendment application rather than a notification.

  2. Place of Sale: NRTs in new and emerging dosage forms, such as nicotine pouches and rapid disintegration tablets, must be sold by pharmacists or under their supervision and kept behind the counter. These products are not accessible for self-selection by the public.

  3. Flavors: NRTs in dosage forms not on the approved list can only contain mint, menthol, or a combination of these flavors. NRTs on the approved list cannot have flavors like dessert, confectionery, soft drink, or energy drink.

  4. Brand Names and Packaging: NRTs cannot be sold if their brand names or packaging could mislead consumers, appeal to young people, or be mistaken for cannabis or food products. Labels must include warnings about nicotine addiction and intended use by adults.

  5. Advertising: NRT advertisements must clearly state the product’s intended use for smoking cessation and include warnings about nicotine addiction. Advertisements should not appeal to young people or suggest uses other than smoking cessation.

  6. Transitional Provisions: A six-month transition period is provided for compliance with new labeling, packaging, and advertising requirements. Products labeled before the Order’s enforcement can continue to be sold if compliant with previous regulations.

The Order aims to reduce the appeal and accessibility of NRTs to young people, thereby minimizing the risk of nicotine addiction and associated health harms. It balances these measures with the need to maintain access to NRTs for adults trying to quit smoking. The Order also includes provisions for compliance and enforcement, ensuring that Health Canada can take necessary actions to manage risks associated with NRTs. [Source]

Canada Imposes Sanctions on Belarus for Human Rights Violations and Support of Russia

The Governor in Council has determined that the situation in Belarus constitutes a severe breach of international peace and security, with gross and systematic human rights violations. Consequently, amendments have been made to the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations, adding several individuals and entities to the list of those subject to sanctions. These sanctions include a broad dealings ban, prohibiting Canadians from engaging in transactions with the listed persons and entities.

The amendments target individuals involved in human rights abuses, including members of the judiciary responsible for arbitrary detentions and prosecutions, and entities linked to the Belarusian defense and military-industrial complex. The sanctions also address Belarus’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which includes providing military cooperation and technology to Russia.

The international community, including Canada, has responded to Belarus’s actions with visa restrictions, targeted sanctions, and support for Belarusian opposition groups. Canada has not recognized the results of Belarus’s 2020 presidential elections and has imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials and entities involved in human rights violations and supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The amendments aim to communicate that Canada will not tolerate human rights violations and to undermine Belarus’s assistance to Russia. The sanctions are expected to have minimal impact on Canadian businesses due to limited trade with Belarus. The amendments come into force upon registration, and listed individuals will be inadmissible to Canada. Compliance and enforcement will be facilitated through various Canadian authorities, with penalties for violations including fines and imprisonment. [Source]

Canada Removes Individual from Myanmar Sanctions List Following Review

The Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has amended the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations to remove one individual, Hlaing Moe Myint, from the list of designated persons. This decision follows evidence that there are no reasonable grounds to maintain the listing. The amendment is part of Canada’s broader strategy to address the crisis in Myanmar, which began with a military coup in February 2021. Despite international efforts, the Myanmar military regime continues to commit human rights violations. Canada has imposed sanctions on numerous individuals and entities to pressure the regime to cease abuses and engage in meaningful dialogue for democracy.

The delisting process is integral to ensuring the fair application of sanctions, allowing designated persons to apply for removal from the list. The Minister of Foreign Affairs reviews these applications on a case-by-case basis. The amendment will lift travel and business restrictions on the delisted individual, benefiting them and any Canadian entities wishing to engage with them. There are no significant costs to businesses or the government, and the amendment does not impact Canadian small businesses or pose a risk to Canada’s security objectives. The amendment is not expected to have environmental or gender-based impacts. The delisting process supports the integrity of Canada’s sanctions regime by ensuring only those who meet the criteria remain listed. [Source]

Source