Highlights

  • Several charities face revocation of registration due to non-compliance with tax filing requirements.
  • An expiry review is being conducted on the dumping and subsidizing of concrete reinforcing bar from certain countries.
  • Decisions have been made regarding media undertakings in specific Canadian regions.
  • Public service employees have been permitted to run for municipal elections while retaining their roles.
  • A ministerial condition allows the controlled use of a potentially toxic substance under specific conditions.
  • Updated air quality standards aim to improve public health by reducing fine particulate matter exposure.
  • New counterfeit examiners have been designated, and pilotage requirements have been extended for certain vessels.
  • New radio standards have been set for digital transmission systems.
  • Plans for credit union amalgamations and insurance company mergers are underway.
  • Proposed amendments to plant breeders’ rights aim to enhance protection and align with international standards.

Canadian Regulatory Updates on Charities, Trade, Media, and Public Service Elections

The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a notice of intention to revoke the registration of several charities due to non-compliance with the Income Tax Act’s filing requirements. The revocation is effective upon publication in the Canada Gazette. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is initiating an expiry review of an order concerning the dumping and subsidizing of concrete reinforcing bar from China, Korea, and Türkiye. The review will assess the likelihood of continued dumping or subsidizing and its potential impact on the domestic industry. Participants must file notices of participation and representation by specified deadlines, with a hearing scheduled for March 2026. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has released decisions regarding media undertakings in Alberta, Canada, and the Northwest Territories. The Public Service Commission of Canada has granted permission to two individuals, Julie Belisle and Stefana Lamasanu, to run for municipal election positions in Quebec while maintaining their public service roles. [Source]

Regulatory Updates on Environmental Protection, Air Quality, and Safety Standards in Canada

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, has led to the issuance of Ministerial Condition No. 22175, which allows the manufacture or import of a potentially toxic substance, 1,3-propanediamine, under specific conditions. The substance must not be used in consumer products or cosmetics unless it is chemically reacted into a stable matrix. The notifier must inform the Minister of the Environment about manufacturing details and ensure proper disposal of waste. Record-keeping and notification of conditions to other parties are required.

The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have been updated to more stringent levels for 2030 to improve air quality and public health. The standards are based on averaging time, numerical values, and statistical forms. The updated standards aim to reduce health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure, which is linked to premature deaths and environmental damage. The Air Quality Management System (AQMS) will guide actions to meet these standards.

The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness has designated new counterfeit examiners and revoked previous designations. The Department of Transport has issued an Interim Order for Area 4 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority Region, extending compulsory pilotage to liquid natural gas carriers. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has released a new Radio Standards Specification for digital transmission systems and local area network devices, setting certification requirements for specific frequency bands. [Source]

Credit Union and Insurance Company Amalgamations Planned for 2026

Innovation Federal Credit Union and ABCU Credit Union Ltd. plan to apply for letters patent to continue ABCU as a federal credit union and then amalgamate under the name Innovation Federal Credit Union, with the head office in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The effective date is proposed for April 1, 2026, and objections can be submitted by September 16, 2025.

Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, Traders General Insurance Company, Elite Insurance Company, and Pilot Insurance Company intend to amalgamate under the name Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, with the head office in Toronto, Ontario. The proposed effective date is January 1, 2026.

Prospera Credit Union and Sunshine Coast Credit Union plan to apply for continuance as federal credit unions to amalgamate with Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union. The amalgamated entity will be named Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia. The amalgamation will proceed only if both continuances are completed, with objections due by September 16, 2025. [Source]

Amendments to Strengthen Plant Breeders’ Rights in Canada

The proposed amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Regulations aim to address stakeholder concerns and enhance the business environment for plant breeding in Canada. Key changes include narrowing the farmers’ privilege exemption to exclude fruits, vegetables, ornamental varieties, and hybrids, aligning with international standards. The duration of protection for potatoes, asparagus, and woody plants will be extended from 20 to 25 years to allow breeders more time to recover their investments. Filing requirements will be updated to exclude advertising from the definition of “sale” for determining novelty, introduce a reduced fee for online applications, and provide flexibility in submitting propagating material. Administrative updates will align the regulations with the 2015 amendments to the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and remove obsolete fees. These changes are expected to strengthen protection for breeders, encourage innovation, and align Canada with international standards, ultimately benefiting the agriculture, horticulture, and ornamental sectors, as well as farmers and consumers. [Source]

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