Highlights

  • The Canadian government has established an agency to promote and research industrial hemp products, funded by levies on producers and importers.
  • Amendments to steel import regulations aim to enhance transparency and data quality, with phased implementation and minimal cost impact.
  • Changes to immigration regulations enhance the integrity of the International Student Program, requiring compliance from institutions and students.
  • Emergency preparedness responsibilities have been transferred to a different ministerial department.
  • Lloydminster is exempt from certain federal food trade requirements to facilitate local trade.
  • Amendments clarify the regulatory framework for consumer products treated with pesticides.
  • A new service medal bar recognizes remote service in military operations.
  • The CRTC’s decision on telecom competition is under reconsideration to balance investment and competition.
  • Updated tent regulations address flammability and safety standards, reducing reliance on flame retardants.

Canadian Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Agency Overview

The Canadian government has established the Canadian Industrial Hemp Promotion-Research Agency to promote and research industrial hemp products. This agency consists of nine members elected by industrial hemp producers and importers across various provinces and regions in Canada. The agency’s responsibilities include promoting the marketing and production of industrial hemp products for interprovincial, export, and import trade, as well as conducting research related to these products. The agency is required to submit an annual budget and business program to ensure its activities align with its objectives. It can impose levies or charges on those involved in the marketing and importation of industrial hemp products to fund its operations. The agency is also tasked with fostering cooperation among its members and stakeholders and must review its plan every five years to assess its effectiveness and propose necessary modifications. The agency’s head office is located in Calgary, Alberta. [Source]

Canada amends steel import rules to enhance transparency and monitoring

The Canadian government has amended the General Import Permit for carbon steel to enhance transparency in the steel import supply chain by requiring importers to provide information on the country of melt and pour (COM) at the time of importation. This change aims to improve the quality of data in the Steel Import Monitoring Program. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will collect this information, which will be used by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to monitor steel import trends. The amendments include exemptions for low-value shipments and certain steel products, and do not apply to low-risk importers in the CBSA Customs Self-Assessment program. The amendments are part of Canada’s commitment to protect the North American market from unfairly traded steel and align with similar measures in the United States. Public consultations showed support for these changes, provided they do not increase administrative burdens. The amendments are expected to have minimal cost implications for businesses and government agencies, with the CBSA and GAC absorbing any additional costs. The changes are implemented in phases, allowing importers time to adjust. Compliance will be monitored by the CBSA and GAC, with penalties for non-compliance. [Source]

Amendments to Specialty Steel Import Regulations

The Order amends the General Import Permit for Specialty Steel Products, introducing a definition for “country of melt and pour,” which refers to where raw steel is first produced and solidified. Importers must include the statement “GIP81” or “LGI81” when accounting for goods under the Customs Act. They are also required to provide documentation on the country of origin, melt and pour, import value, and quantity, and specify the country of melt and pour at importation. Exceptions to these requirements apply to CSA importers and certain low-value or specific types of goods. The amendments also require the inclusion of the country of melt and pour in records. The Order comes into effect on November 5, 2024, or upon registration if later. [Source]

Enhancements to Canada’s International Student Program Regulations

The amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations focus on enhancing the integrity of Canada’s International Student Program. Key changes include requiring post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs) to verify letters of acceptance and submit compliance reports on student enrollment. The regulations also allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to take action against non-compliant DLIs, such as placing them on a suspension list, which would prevent them from receiving new international students for up to 12 months. International students must now apply for a new study permit if they wish to change DLIs, except in specific circumstances like the closure or suspension of their current DLI. The amendments also increase the limit on off-campus work hours for international students from 20 to 24 hours per week to help offset living costs. These changes aim to ensure that study permits are issued to genuine students attending compliant DLIs and to improve the monitoring of student compliance with study permit conditions. The amendments are expected to benefit international students financially while imposing additional administrative requirements on DLIs and students. The regulations are designed to address issues of fraud and non-compliance, enhance program integrity, and support the shared responsibility between federal and provincial/territorial governments in managing international students. [Source]

Transfer of Emergency Management Duties to Minister of State

The powers, duties, and functions of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness under section 7 of the Emergency Management Act have been transferred to the Minister of State (Emergency Preparedness). This transfer was authorized by the Governor General in Council, following the Prime Minister’s recommendation, under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act. [Source]

Emergency Preparedness Secretariat Transfer to Public Safety Department

The control and supervision of the Emergency Preparedness Secretariat is being transferred from the Privy Council Office to the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. This transfer is authorized by the Governor General in Council, following the Prime Minister’s recommendation, under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act. The change will take effect on November 21, 2024. [Source]

Lloydminster Exempted from Federal Trade Rules to Boost Local Food Business

Lloydminster, a city uniquely located on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan, faces challenges due to its division by a provincial boundary, which subjects local food businesses to federal interprovincial trade requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and Regulations (SFCR). These requirements, including licensing and preventive controls, are seen as barriers to local trade. To address this, new regulations exempt food commodities traded within Lloydminster from these federal requirements, aligning with the Lloydminster Charter that treats the city as a single municipality for provincial oversight. This change aims to reduce administrative burdens, facilitate local trade, and support economic growth while maintaining food safety oversight by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The regulations are supported by positive outcomes from a pilot project and consultations with stakeholders, including local businesses and provincial governments. The CFIA will continue its risk-based inspection approach, and the regulations will not affect international trade requirements. [Source]

Clarification of Regulatory Framework for Pesticide-Treated Consumer Products in Canada

The amendment to Schedule 1 of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) clarifies the application of the Act to consumer products treated with pesticides, known as treated articles. These products, which include items like car seats and crib mattresses, are subject to both the CCPSA and the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) due to their dual function of serving as consumer products and controlling pests. The amendment ensures there is no uncertainty about the regulatory framework governing these products. It aligns with recent changes to the Pest Control Products Regulations, which defined treated articles and their regulatory requirements under the PCPA. The amendment does not introduce new costs or administrative burdens for businesses, as it reflects current practices and understanding among stakeholders. There are no expected impacts on small businesses, international agreements, or environmental and gender-based considerations. The amendment takes effect upon publication, with no changes to compliance and enforcement practices. [Source]

Remote Service Recognition with Distantia Bar

The Special Service Medal Bar Order “DISTANTIA” defines a specific type of service eligible for recognition under the Special Service Medal Regulations. This service involves either 180 consecutive days or a total of 270 days, with at least 60 consecutive days, of honorable service. The service must begin on or after the order’s effective date and can be performed in Canada or abroad, excluding theatres of operations. It involves full-time remote participation in approved operations, using technology to personally operate weapons systems or deliver targeted effects that have a tangible or potential impact in a theatre of operations. This service must not be counted towards any other Canadian or foreign service medal. The awarded Bar for this service will bear the word “DISTANTIA.” [Source]

Canadian Government Requests CRTC Reconsideration on FTTP Access Rules

The Canadian government has referred a decision by the CRTC back for reconsideration regarding the use of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) services by major telecom companies. The CRTC had mandated large telecom companies to provide temporary wholesale access to their FTTP networks in Ontario and Quebec to enhance competition and consumer choice. Bell Canada petitioned against this decision, arguing it could harm investment and competition, especially in rural and remote areas. The government considered Bell’s petition and the broader implications for competition and investment, particularly concerning the three largest telecom providers, Bell, Rogers, and TELUS, which hold significant market power. The government decided not to overturn the CRTC’s decision but asked the CRTC to reconsider whether these companies should be restricted from using aggregated FTTP services at regulated rates in Ontario and Quebec. This reconsideration aims to address concerns about competition, investment, and the viability of smaller service providers. Public consultations were held, with mixed responses from various stakeholders, highlighting the complexity of balancing competition and investment in Canada’s telecommunications sector. [Source]

Updated Tent Regulations Enhance Safety and Reduce Flame Retardant Use

The Tents Regulations, under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, have been updated to address flammability performance and fire-safety labelling requirements for tents. The previous regulations were outdated, referencing an old standard that did not suit modern tent materials, leading to potential reliance on flame retardant chemicals. The new regulations incorporate the Canadian General Standards Board standard CAN/CGSB-182.1-2020, which reflects contemporary safety requirements and aims to reduce the use of flame retardants. The regulations also amend the Toys Regulations to include flammability and labelling requirements for children’s play tents, ensuring they are not intended for outdoor shelter. The changes are expected to maintain health and safety protections while reducing regulatory burdens and the need for flame retardants. The regulations include a transitional period for compliance and use ambulatory incorporation by reference to keep standards up to date. The amendments aim to protect people from tent fires, reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, and align with international standards where applicable. [Source]

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