Highlights

  • The Canadian government has updated the Domestic Substances List, adding new substances and disclosing identities of others, to enhance transparency and access for businesses.
  • Amendments have been made to include more provinces and territories in the vaping product taxation system, aiming to streamline taxation and support public health.
  • Five First Nations have been added to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, allowing them to access financial management services and support economic development.
  • Responsibilities related to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission have been transferred to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  • A conference in Montréal will focus on Ukraine’s peace efforts, granting privileges to participants to facilitate discussions.
  • Regulations have been amended to align with benchmark rate reforms, ensuring clarity in financial instruments.
  • New regulations allow businesses to ship prohibited firearms for destruction as part of a buyback program, enhancing public safety.
  • Sanctions have been imposed on individuals and entities in Myanmar to pressure the military regime to cease human rights violations.
  • The definition of “under-served rural or remote community” has been expanded to attract healthcare professionals to these areas, improving access to healthcare services.

Amendments to Canadian Domestic Substances List under Environmental Protection Act

The Minister of the Environment has amended the Domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. New substances have been added to Part 1 of the list, identified by their numerical order and chemical identifiers. Additionally, certain substances have been removed from Part 3 of the list, with their chemical names and identifiers provided. The order will take effect upon registration. [Source]

Nine Substances Added and 21 Identities Disclosed on Canadian Domestic Substances List

The Minister of the Environment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has added nine substances to the Domestic Substances List after assessing them and determining they meet the necessary criteria. These substances are no longer subject to the New Substances Notification Regulations. Additionally, the explicit chemical identities of 21 substances have been disclosed, moving them from Part 3 to Part 1 of the list, following written consent from those who requested confidentiality. The Domestic Substances List, which inventories substances in the Canadian marketplace, is regularly updated to reflect new additions or changes. The orders to amend the list are administrative, imposing no new regulatory requirements or costs on businesses. The changes aim to increase transparency and facilitate access to these substances for businesses. The orders are in force, and compliance is monitored under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act’s enforcement policy. [Source]

Canada expands coordinated vaping tax system to more provinces and territories

The Canadian government has amended regulations to include New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, and Yukon in the coordinated vaping product taxation system. This system, initially joined by Ontario, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, imposes an additional vaping duty equal to the federal rate. The amendments facilitate the integration of these new jurisdictions into the system, effective January 1, 2025, with a transition period until March 31, 2025, allowing federally stamped vaping products to be sold or moved out of these jurisdictions. The amendments aim to streamline the taxation process, reduce compliance costs, and support public health objectives by potentially maintaining higher retail prices to deter youth consumption. The changes are a result of agreements between the federal government and the respective provinces and territories, and they will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency. The amendments do not impact Indigenous rights or international obligations and are not expected to have significant environmental or gender-based impacts. [Source]

Five First Nations Added to Fiscal Management Act for Economic Development Opportunities

The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations has amended the schedule to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act to include five First Nations: Iskut, Nation Anishnabe du Lac Simon, Nooaitch, One Arrow First Nation, and Tsq’escen’ First Nation. This inclusion allows these First Nations to access services under the Act, such as implementing property tax systems, seeking financial management certification, and participating in a bond financing regime. The Act, effective since 2006, aims to support economic development and well-being in First Nation communities by enhancing property taxation, creating a bond financing regime, and supporting financial management capacity. The amendment was made at the request of the First Nations, and no additional consultations were deemed necessary. The Act provides First Nations with financial management authority, enabling them to participate more fully in the Canadian economy and invest in infrastructure and economic development. There are no costs associated with this amendment, and it does not impose compliance costs on small businesses. The Order does not have environmental or gender-based impacts, and no compliance or enforcement requirements are associated with it. [Source]

Transfer of Great Lakes Fishery Commission Duties to Minister of Foreign Affairs

The powers, duties, and functions related to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission have been transferred from the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This decision was made by the Governor General in Council, following the Prime Minister’s recommendation, under the authority of the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans was previously responsible for the administration of the Great Lakes Fisheries Convention Act. [Source]

Ministerial Conference in Montréal Focuses on Ukraine Peace Efforts and Return of Detainees

The Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula is set to take place in Montréal, Quebec, focusing on the return of prisoners of war, detained civilians, and deported children to Ukraine. The conference will grant certain privileges and immunities to foreign state representatives, international organization officials, and experts to facilitate their participation. These privileges include immunity from arrest and legal processes, exemption from immigration restrictions, and inviolability of documents, applicable only during the conference period. The event aims to develop a roadmap for the return and reintegration of Ukrainian returnees, strengthen international coalitions, and integrate perspectives on women, peace, and security. The conference is part of broader efforts to support Ukraine’s peace initiatives and will inform future international summits. The order facilitating these privileges has no significant impact on Canadian businesses or the environment and involves coordination among various Canadian federal agencies to ensure security and compliance. [Source]

Amendments to Canadian Financial Regulations Align with Benchmark Rate Reform

Amendments have been made to the Principal Protected Notes Regulations and the Deposit Type Instruments Regulations to align with Canada’s benchmark rate reform efforts. The Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) has been replaced by the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average (CORRA) as part of a global shift from credit-sensitive benchmarks to risk-free rates. This change necessitated updates to definitions in the regulations to ensure that variable-rate deposit-type instruments (DTIs) and principal-protected notes (PPNs) are correctly categorized and subject to appropriate consumer protection rules. The amendments ensure that DTIs with returns based on CORRA are treated as such, while PPNs remain distinct, maintaining the intended consumer protections for each product type. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada will continue to oversee compliance with these regulations. The amendments are technical and aim to provide clarity without imposing additional costs or burdens on businesses. [Source]

Canadian Government Introduces Firearms Buyback Shipping Regulations for Businesses

The Canadian government has introduced regulations allowing certain businesses to ship prohibited firearms and devices by post for destruction, as part of a Firearms Buyback Program. This initiative follows the reclassification of approximately 2,000 assault-style firearms and certain devices as prohibited, aiming to enhance public safety by removing these items from communities. The regulations provide an additional shipping method for businesses, alongside licensed carriers, to facilitate the destruction of these items. Businesses must meet specific conditions, such as entering into an agreement with the government and ensuring secure packaging and shipping methods. The regulations are designed to support the first phase of the buyback program, focusing on businesses, with a subsequent phase targeting individuals. The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to mandatory disposal of prohibited firearms and aims to provide compensation to affected owners. The regulations do not affect existing disposal methods and are informed by consultations with industry and government partners. They are temporary and facilitative, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while expanding shipping options for businesses. [Source]

Canada Expands Sanctions on Myanmar Regime to Support Peace Efforts

The Canadian government has amended the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations in response to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, where the military regime continues to commit severe human rights violations following a coup in 2021. The amendments add three individuals and four entities to the list of those subject to sanctions, aiming to pressure the regime to engage in peace efforts and halt violence. These sanctions prohibit Canadians from engaging in transactions with the listed individuals and entities, who are involved in supporting the military regime through arms procurement and other key functions. The measures align with international efforts to limit the regime’s access to arms and resources, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to ending the conflict and supporting democratic rights in Myanmar. The sanctions are designed to have minimal impact on Canadian businesses and the citizens of Myanmar, focusing instead on those directly supporting the regime. The amendments are part of a broader strategy to apply diplomatic pressure and encourage international cooperation in addressing the crisis. [Source]

Canada expands student loan forgiveness to attract healthcare professionals to rural areas

The Canadian government has amended regulations to expand the definition of “under-served rural or remote community” for the Canada Student Loan forgiveness benefit, aiming to attract more doctors and nurses to these areas. The new definition includes all rural areas and population centres with 30,000 or fewer residents, based on the latest census data. This change addresses previous exclusions of small communities within larger municipalities and aligns with a commitment from Budget 2023. The amendments are expected to improve healthcare access for approximately 1.7 million Canadians in newly eligible areas and incentivize 935 healthcare professionals over ten years. The cost of these changes is estimated at $87.4 million over a decade. The amendments also include transitional provisions for communities currently eligible under the old definition, maintaining their eligibility until the 2026 census. The changes are supported by consultations with stakeholders, including provincial and territorial health ministries, and align with provincial strategies to enhance healthcare in rural areas. The amendments are expected to improve health outcomes in rural and remote areas by increasing the availability of healthcare services. [Source]

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