Highlights

  • The CRTC provides access to its regulatory documents online and at its office, with recent applications and decisions involving broadcasting and media companies.
  • New instructions for processing study permit applications require a provincial or territorial attestation letter, with a cap on the number of applications for 2025.
  • The Department of the Environment plans to amend the Domestic Substances List to clarify regulatory requirements for certain polymers.
  • The Saguenay Port Authority’s letters patent have been amended to include new immovables in Quebec.
  • The Government of Canada is seeking diverse candidates for Governor in Council positions, emphasizing a transparent and merit-based process.
  • BNY Trust Company of Canada seeks approval to reduce its common shares’ capital, subject to regulatory approval.
  • The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation proposes changes to its Differential Premiums By-law to enhance risk sensitivity and fairness, with implementation planned for 2026.

CRTC Updates on Broadcasting Applications and Upcoming Hearing

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) provides access to its decisions, notices, regulatory policies, and other documents on its website. These documents can also be reviewed at the Commission’s office. Recent applications for renewal, amendment, or complaints include those from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for CBGA-3-FM in Rivière-au-Renard, Quebec, and Bell Media Inc. for renaming Discovery and I.D. to USA Network and Oxygen True Crime across Canada. The deadline for public comments on these applications is February 7, 2025. An administrative decision was made for Corus Radio Inc.’s CKQB-FM in Ottawa, Ontario, on December 20, 2024. A notice of consultation was published for a hearing in Gatineau, Quebec, scheduled for May 12, 2025. [Source]

New Study Permit Rules, Environmental Amendments, Port Expansion, and Diverse Government Appointments

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has issued new instructions for processing study permit applications for foreign nationals in the student class. These instructions require applicants to include a provincial or territorial attestation letter confirming a space within the allocated study permit applications for 2025. The total number of applications accepted for processing is capped at 550,162 for the year. Certain categories of applications, such as renewals at the same institution and level, exchange students, and those with specific exemptions, are excluded from these conditions. Applications without the required attestation letter will not be processed, and fees will be returned.

The Department of the Environment intends to amend the Domestic Substances List by adding the letter “P” to the identifiers of 254 polymers that meet reduced regulatory requirement criteria. This amendment clarifies that only the reduced regulatory requirement forms of these polymers are on the list, ensuring that any non-compliant forms undergo environmental and health risk assessments before manufacture or import into Canada. Public comments on this proposal are invited within 120 days.

The Saguenay Port Authority’s letters patent have been amended to include new immovables in Quebec, following a request from the Authority’s board of directors. This amendment aligns with the Canada Marine Act and takes effect upon registration of the deed of sale.

The Government of Canada is seeking diverse candidates for various Governor in Council positions, emphasizing a transparent, merit-based appointment process that reflects Canada’s diversity and values. Current opportunities include roles in organizations such as the Bank of Canada, Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Canadian Human Rights Commission, among others. [Source]

BNY Trust Company of Canada Seeks Approval for Capital Reduction

BNY Trust Company of Canada plans to seek approval from the Superintendent of Financial Institutions to reduce the stated capital of its common shares by up to $26.5 million. This decision follows a special resolution passed by the company’s sole shareholder. The reduction will involve distributing the reduced capital amount to the sole shareholder. The company’s Chief Financial Officer will determine the exact amount of the reduction within the authorized limit. Directors and officers are authorized to execute necessary actions to implement this resolution. Approval from the Superintendent is required, and the notice does not guarantee that approval will be granted. [Source]

CDIC Proposes Enhanced Risk-Sensitive Premium System Changes

The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) is proposing changes to its Differential Premiums By-law to enhance the risk sensitivity of its differential premiums system (DPS). Key changes include increasing premium categories from four to five, updating the classification policy for new member institutions, moving from annual to semi-annual risk assessments, and revising qualitative and quantitative criteria for risk assessment. New member institutions will generally be classified in Premium Category 2, with exceptions for those assigned a stage of intervention by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), which will be classified in Premium Category 3. The semi-annual classification will occur on January 15 and July 15 each year, based on data from the previous fall and spring, respectively. The proposed changes aim to better reflect the risk profiles of member institutions and ensure fairness. The By-law will come into force on April 29, 2026, with the first annual premium under the new framework starting May 1, 2027. The changes are expected to be cost-neutral for stakeholders, with potential premium adjustments for some institutions. The proposal does not impact small businesses, impose additional regulatory costs, or have environmental or gender-based impacts. [Source]

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