Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 154, Number 4: GOVERNMENT NOTICES

January 25, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Ministerial Condition No. 20198

Ministerial condition
(Paragraph 84(1)(a) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)

Whereas the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) have assessed information pertaining to the substance formaldehyde, polymer with N1-(2-aminoethyl)-N2-[2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethyl]-1,2-ethanediamine, alkane bis oxymethyleneoxirane, 4,4′-(1-methylethylidene)bis[phenol] and 2,2′-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)]bis[oxirane], reaction products with Bu glycidyl ether and 1-[[2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]-3-phenoxy-2-propanol, acetates (salts), Confidential Substance Identity Number 13804-7;

And whereas the ministers suspect that the substance is toxic or capable of becoming toxic within the meaning of section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act),

The Minister of the Environment, pursuant to paragraph 84(1)(a) of the Act, hereby permits the manufacture or import of the substance in accordance with the conditions of the following annex.

Nancy Hamzawi
Assistant Deputy Minister
Science and Technology Branch
On behalf of the Minister of the Environment

ANNEX

Conditions

(Paragraph 84(1)(a) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)

1. The following definitions apply in these ministerial conditions:

“notifier” means the person who has, on November 20, 2019, provided to the Minister of the Environment the prescribed information concerning the substance, in accordance with subsection 81(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999;

“substance” means formaldehyde, polymer with N1-(2-aminoethyl)-N2-[2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethyl]-1,2-ethanediamine, alkane bis oxymethyleneoxirane, 4,4′-(1-methylethylidene)bis[phenol] and 2,2′-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)]bis[oxirane], reaction products with Bu glycidyl ether and 1-[[2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]-3-phenoxy-2-propanol, acetates (salts), Confidential Substance Identity Number 13804-7.

2. The notifier may manufacture or import the substance in accordance with the present ministerial conditions.

Restrictions

3. (1) The notifier may manufacture or import the substance for the following uses:

(2) The notifier may also import the substance when it is contained within a water-based paint or coating described in paragraph 3(1)(a) or (b).

4. The notifier shall transfer the physical possession or control of the substance only to a person who agrees to use it in accordance with section 3.

Labelling

5. The notifier may manufacture or import the substance if, when selling the water-based paint or coating that is a consumer product to which the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act applies, they affix to the container containing the substance a label that includes, in English and in French, the following general precautionary statement:

Environmental release

6. Where any release of the substance to the environment occurs, the person who has the physical possession or control of the substance shall immediately take all measures necessary to prevent any further release, and to limit the dispersion of any release. Furthermore, the person shall as soon as possible in the circumstances, inform the Minister of the Environment by contacting an enforcement officer designated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Application

7. Sections 4 and 11 and paragraph 9(1)(c) do not apply if the physical possession or control of the substance is transferred while the substance is within a water-based paint or coating as referred to in section 3.

8. Section 10 does not apply if the physical possession or control of the substance is transferred while the substance is contained within a water-based paint or coating that is a consumer product to which the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act applies.

Record-keeping requirements

9. (1) The notifier shall maintain electronic or paper records, with any documentation supporting the validity of the information contained in these records, indicating

(2) The notifier shall maintain electronic or paper records mentioned in subsection (1) at their principal place of business in Canada, or at the principal place of business in Canada of their representative, for a period of at least five years after they are made.

Other requirements

10. The notifier shall inform any person to whom they transfer the physical possession or control of the substance, in writing, of the terms of the present ministerial conditions.

11. The notifier shall obtain, prior to the first transfer of the substance, written confirmation from this person that they were informed of the terms of the present ministerial conditions and agree to use it in accordance with section 3. This written confirmation shall be maintained at the principal place of business in Canada of the notifier or of their representative in Canada for a period of at least five years from the day it was received.

Coming into force

12. The present ministerial conditions come into force on January 10, 2020.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

MULTILATERAL INSTRUMENT IN RESPECT OF TAX CONVENTIONS ACT

Notice of the entry into force, for Canada, of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the Multilateral Instrument or MLI)

Whereas,

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to paragraph 6(a) of the Multilateral Instrument in Respect of Tax Conventions Act footnote a, that December 1, 2019, is the day on which the MLI entered into force for Canada.

Ottawa, January 17, 2020

The Honourable William Francis Morneau, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Final guideline for Canadian drinking water quality for barium

Pursuant to subsection 55(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Minister of Health hereby gives notice of a final guideline for Canadian drinking water quality for barium. The technical document for this guideline is available on the Water Quality website. This document underwent a public consultation period of 60 days in 2019 and was updated to take into consideration the comments received.

January 25, 2020

Greg Carreau
Acting Director General
Safe Environments Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of Health

ANNEX

Guideline

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total barium in drinking water is 2.0 mg/L (2 000 µg/L).

Executive summary

Barium occurs in various compounds in the environment either naturally or from human activities. While the main use of barium is as a drilling fluid additive in oil and gas exploration, it is also used as a contrast agent in X-ray diagnostic tests and in a wide array of products, including plastics, rubbers, paint, glass, carpets, ceramics, sealants, furniture, fertilizers and pesticides.

Naturally occurring barium can be found in most types of rocks and can enter surface and groundwater by leaching and eroding from sedimentary rocks. A total of over 20 radioactive barium isotopes, with various degrees of stability and radioactivity, have been identified in the environment. However, the focus of the technical document is limited to barium’s chemical properties.

The guideline technical document reviews and assesses all identified health risks associated with barium in drinking water. It assesses new studies and approaches and takes into consideration the availability of appropriate treatment technology. Based on this review, the guideline for barium in drinking water is a maximum acceptable concentration of 2.0 mg/L.

Health effects

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has not classified barium as to its carcinogenicity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concluded that barium is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans from exposure through ingestion; other international agencies agree that there is no evidence showing that exposure to barium through ingestion could cause cancer.

Studies have found links between the ingestion of barium and unwanted effects on blood pressure in animals and humans. However, adverse effects on the kidneys have shown the strongest association with chronic oral exposure to barium. In humans, effects have been observed on the kidneys following exposure to high levels of barium in poisoning events; in animals, kidney effects are considered the most sensitive health effect associated with long-term ingestion of barium, especially in mice, the most sensitive species. Consequently, the MAC of 2.0 mg/L has been established to be protective of the general population, based on studies of kidney effects in mice.

Exposure

Canadians are primarily exposed to barium through food and drinking water, with food being the main source of exposure. Concentrations of barium in food items in Canada vary widely, depending on the food item and the soil conditions. Barium levels can also vary greatly in Canadian drinking water, depending on geological formations and anthropogenic activities surrounding the source water. Intake of barium from drinking water is not expected to occur through either skin contact or inhalation.

Analysis and treatment

Several analytical methods are available for the analysis of total barium in drinking water at levels well below the MAC. Total barium in a water sample includes both its dissolved and particulate forms. Analysis of total barium is needed for comparison to the MAC.

Although conventional coagulation treatment is not effective for barium removal, there are several effective methods for its removal from municipal drinking water supplies. These include lime softening and ion exchange softening. Both technologies reduce water hardness and other divalent metals such as barium, achieving multiple objectives. Membrane separation processes such as reverse osmosis and nanofiltration are also capable of removing barium in drinking water. Other control strategies include switching to a new source, blending, and interconnecting with another water system.

At the residential level, there are certified residential treatment devices for removing barium from drinking water using reverse osmosis and ion exchange technologies. Distillation systems are also effective but none are certified. It is important to note that reverse osmosis and distillation systems should be installed only at the point of use, as the treated water may be corrosive to internal plumbing components.

International considerations

Drinking water quality guidelines, standards and/or guidance from other national and international organizations may vary due to the science available at the time of assessment, as well as differing policies and approaches, including the choice of key study, and the use of different consumption rates, body weights and allocation factors.

Other organizations have set guidelines or regulations pertaining to the concentration of barium in drinking water. The World Health Organization established a guideline for drinking water quality of 1.3 mg/L for barium. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency standard and the guideline established by the Australia National Health and Medical Research Council are both set at 2.0 mg/L. The European Union has not established a limit for barium in drinking water.

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL

Appointments

Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Minister for International Development to be styled Deputy Minister of International Development

Canadian Commercial Corporation

Court of Appeal for British Columbia

Court of Appeal of Yukon

Deputy Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, to be styled Deputy Minister of Public Safety

Supreme Court of British Columbia

January 16, 2020

Diane Bélanger
Official Documents Registrar

PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE

Appointment opportunities

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. The Government of Canada has implemented an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

We are equally committed to providing a healthy workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work to one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful and harassment-free work environment.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following positions.

Current opportunities

The following opportunities for appointments to Governor in Council positions are currently open for applications. Every opportunity is open for a minimum of two weeks from the date of posting on the Governor in Council appointments website.

Position Organization Closing date
Chief Executive Officer Canadian Energy Regulator  
Commissioner (full-time), Commissioner (part-time) Canadian Energy Regulator  
Director Canadian Energy Regulator  
Member (Alberta and Northwest Territories) Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission  
Member (Atlantic and Nunavut) Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission  
Chairperson Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Canada  
Chairperson Marine Atlantic Inc.  
Auditor General of Canada Office of the Auditor General of Canada  
Member — All regional divisions Parole Board of Canada January 29, 2020