Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 18: GOVERNMENT NOTICES

May 4, 2024

DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT

Ministerial Instructions with respect to the processing of applications for a permanent resident visa made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor as members of the family class and the processing of sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications

These Instructions are published in the Canada Gazette in accordance with subsection 87.3(6) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act).

These Instructions are given, pursuant to section 87.3 and subsections 92(1.1) and (2) of the Act, by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration as, in the opinion of the Minister, these Instructions will best support the attainment of the immigration goals established by the Government of Canada by seeing families reunited in Canada.

Scope

These Instructions apply to applications for a permanent resident visa of sponsors’ parents or grandparents made under the family class, referred to in paragraphs 117(1)(c) and (d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations), respectively, as well as to sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications.

Applications received in 2023

These Instructions authorize sponsorship applications received in 2023 and made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, to be accepted for processing in the 2024 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024. Applications will be accepted into processing in accordance with the conditions established in the Instructions given on July 7, 2023, for applications received by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (the Department) in the 2023 calendar year. For clarity, these conditions are reproduced below.

Interests to sponsor

The Department accepted interests to sponsor from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern Daylight Time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern Standard Time, on November 3, 2020. The interests to sponsor were to have been completed and submitted to the Department using the electronic means available for this purpose, and if a potential sponsor was unable to submit an interest to sponsor by the electronic means made available by the Department due to a mental or physical disability, the Department made alternate formats available.

Invitations to submit a sponsorship application

Invitations to submit a sponsorship application were issued to potential sponsors in 2023 using a randomized selection process from among non-duplicate interests to sponsor received in 2020 that were not yet issued an invitation. Invitations issued by the Department were not transferable.

Applications submitted by electronic means

In order to be accepted for processing, any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2023 must have been submitted using electronic means (apply online).

An alternate application format would be provided to foreign nationals, sponsors, and their representatives who were unable to apply online.

Applications received by the Department on or after the coming into force of these Instructions that were not submitted by electronic means will not be accepted and processing fees will be returned, except in the case of foreign nationals, sponsors or authorized representatives who may submit an application by any other means that are made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, in accordance with these Instructions.

Conditions — sponsorship applications

In order to be processed, any sponsorship application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2023 and that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:

Conditions — permanent resident visa applications

In order to be processed, any permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2023 and that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:

Applications received in 2024

These Instructions authorize new sponsorship applications made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class to be received and accepted into processing in the 2024 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024.

Interests to sponsor

The Department accepted interests to sponsor from persons who wanted to sponsor a parent or grandparent beginning at noon, Eastern Daylight Time, on October 13, 2020, and ending at noon, Eastern Standard Time, on November 3, 2020. The interests to sponsor were to have been completed and submitted to the Department using the electronic means available for this purpose, and if a potential sponsor was unable to submit an interest to sponsor by the electronic means made available by the Department due to a mental or physical disability, the Department made alternate formats available.

Invitations to submit a sponsorship application

Invitations to submit a sponsorship application will be issued to potential sponsors using a randomized selection process from among non-duplicate interests to sponsor received in 2020 that have not yet been issued an invitation. Invitations issued by the Department are not transferable.

Applications

In order to be accepted for processing, any sponsorship or permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received on or after the coming into force of the Instructions must be submitted using electronic means (apply online).

Applications — submission by other means

An alternate application format will be provided to foreign nationals, sponsors, and their representatives who are unable to apply online.

Applications received by the Department on or after the coming into force of these Instructions that were not submitted by electronic means will not be accepted and processing fees will be returned, except in the case of applications made by foreign nationals, sponsors or authorized representatives who may submit an application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose.

Conditions — sponsorship applications

In order to be processed, any sponsorship application referred to in these Instructions that is received in 2024 and that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:

Conditions — permanent resident visa applications

In order to be processed, any permanent resident visa application referred to in these Instructions that was received in 2024 and that has not been returned under section 12 of the Regulations for not meeting the requirements of sections 10 and 11 of the Regulations — for example by not using all the applicable forms provided by the Department in the application package made available on the website of the Department or by not including all information, documents and evidence referred to in paragraph 10(1)(c) of the Regulations — must meet the following conditions:

Number of applications to be accepted for processing in a year

These Instructions authorize a maximum of 37 000 sponsorship applications received in 2023 and 2024 and made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, to be accepted for processing in the 2024 calendar year, which begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2024.

This number includes both (1) sponsorship applications received in 2023, as part of the 2023 intake, and accepted for processing in 2024, and (2) new sponsorship applications received in 2024, as part of the 2024 intake, and accepted for processing in 2024.

This maximum may be amended in accordance with any subsequent Instructions the Minister may provide.

Order for processing

Applications meeting the applicable conditions established by these Instructions are processed in the order in which they are received by the Department.

Humanitarian and compassionate requests

A request made under subsection 25(1) of the Act from outside Canada and that accompanies an application that was not accepted for processing under these Instructions will not be processed.

Disposition of applications

Any application that does not meet the applicable conditions established by these Instructions will be returned.

Repeal

The following Instructions are repealed, effective upon signature:

Coming into effect

These Instructions take effect upon signature.

Dated on April 12, 2024

The Hon. Marc Miller, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT

New Ministerial Instructions regarding the processing of applications under the Start-up Business Class and the Self-employed Persons Class

These Instructions are published in the Canada Gazette, in accordance with subsection 87.3(6) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration as, in the opinion of the Minister, these Instructions will best support the attainment of the immigration goals established by the Government of Canada.

Authority for these Ministerial Instructions is derived from section 87.3 of the Act.

These Instructions are directed to officers who are charged with handling and/or reviewing applications for permanent resident visas under the Start-up Business Class and Self-employed Persons Class.

Considerations

These Instructions are consistent with the objectives laid out in paragraphs 3(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Act, specifically to pursue the maximum social, cultural and economic benefits of immigration; to enrich and strengthen the social and cultural fabric of Canadian society, while respecting the federal, bilingual and multicultural character of Canada; and to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy, in which the benefits of immigration are shared across all regions of Canada.

These Instructions are intended to manage the processing of applications so as to support the reduction of application inventories, and in this way are consistent with the objective laid out in paragraph 3(1)(f) of the Act, and, in the case of the Start-up Business Class, to enable the prioritization of applications in a manner that will best support the attainment of immigration goals.

Start-Up Business Class

Conditions that must be met for applications (principal applicants) to be accepted for processing under the Start-Up Business Class in a calendar year (cap)

These Instructions apply to applications for permanent resident visas made under the Start-up Business Class, submitted on or after the coming-into-force date listed in these Instructions.

Applications for permanent resident visas, made under the Start-up Business Class, will be accepted for processing subject to the condition that the applications are supported by a commitment from a designated entity and applications supported by 10 other commitment certificates from that same designated entity have not already been accepted into processing in the same calendar year.

The year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, except for the year 2024, which will start on the day these Instructions take effect and end on December 31.

These conditions shall apply for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.

In order for any application associated with a commitment certificate to enter into processing, all applications associated with that commitment certificate must have been received.

Order for processing

Applications will be considered in order of the date on which they are received, if all other applications associated with the commitment certificate have also been received. Applications received on the same date will be considered for processing having regard to routine office procedures.

Disposition of applications

Applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (the Department) that do not meet the conditions outlined in these Ministerial Instructions will not be accepted into processing and fees will be returned.

Humanitarian and compassionate requests

A request made under subsection 25(1) of the Act, from outside Canada and that accompanies an application that was not accepted for processing under these Instructions, will not be processed.

Prioritization of applications in the Start-Up Business Class

These Instructions apply to applications for permanent resident visas made under the Start-up Business Class, including those submitted before the coming-into-force date listed in these Instructions.

Applications for permanent resident visas under the Start-Up Business Class, including those received by the Department prior to the coming into force of these Instructions, shall be prioritized for processing if they are supported by a commitment that meets the following conditions:

Applications that are not supported by a commitment that meets one of the above conditions will be processed following those that are prioritized, on a first-in, first-out basis, as annual admissions (levels) space allows.

Self-Employed Persons Class

Cap on the number of new applications to be accepted for processing in a calendar year under the Self-Employed Persons Class

These Instructions apply to complete applications for permanent resident visas made under the Self-Employed Persons Class, submitted on or after the coming-into-force date listed in these Instructions.

The number of new applications that will be accepted for processing in a calendar year for the Self-Employed Persons Class is set at zero.

The year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, except for the year 2024, which will start on the day these Instructions take effect and end on December 31.

The same cap shall apply for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Humanitarian and compassionate requests

A request made under subsection 25(1) of the Act, from outside Canada and that accompanies an application that was not accepted for processing under these Instructions, will not be processed.

Disposition of applications

Applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that do not meet the conditions set out in these Ministerial Instructions will not be accepted into processing and fees will be returned.

Effective period

These Instructions take effect on April 30, 2024, and expire on December 31, 2026.

Dated on April 11, 2024

The Hon. Marc Miller, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Publication after assessment of 16 substances in the Gas Oils and Kerosenes with Uses in Products Available to Consumers Group specified on the Domestic Substances List (section 77 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)

Whereas a summary of the draft assessment conducted on the Gas Oils and Kerosenes with Uses in Products Available to Consumers Group pursuant to paragraphs 68(b) or (c) of the Act is annexed hereby;

And whereas it is proposed to conclude that the substances meet one or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act;

Notice therefore is hereby given that the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) propose to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor in Council that these substances be added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act.

Notice is furthermore given that the ministers have released a risk management scope document for these substances to initiate discussions with stakeholders on the development of risk management options.

Public comment period

Any person may, within 60 days after publication of this notice, file with the Minister of the Environment written comments on the measure the ministers propose to take and on the scientific considerations on the basis of which the measure is proposed. More information regarding the scientific considerations may be obtained from the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website. All comments must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of publication of this notice and be addressed to the Executive Director, Substance Prioritization, Assessment and Coordination Division, Department of the Environment, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3, by email to substances@ec.gc.ca or by using the online reporting system available through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window.

In accordance with section 313 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, any person who provides information in response to this notice may submit with the information a request that it be treated as confidential.

Jacqueline Gonçalves
Director General
Science Reporting and Assessment Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of the Environment

Cécile Siewe
Director General
Industrial Sectors and Chemicals Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of the Environment

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

ANNEX I

Substances in the Gas Oils and Kerosenes with Uses in Products Available to Consumers Group
CAS RN table a1 note a Domestic Substances List (DSL) name
8008-20-6 Kerosene (petroleum)
64741-44-2 Distillates (petroleum), straight-run middle
64741-77-1 Distillates (petroleum), light hydrocracked
64741-85-1 Raffinates (petroleum), sorption process
64741-91-9 Distillates (petroleum), solvent-refined middle
64742-13-8 Distillates (petroleum), acid-treated middle
64742-14-9 Distillates (petroleum), acid-treated light
64742-38-7 Distillates (petroleum), clay-treated middle
64742-46-7 Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated middle
64742-47-8 Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated light
64742-79-6 Gas oils (petroleum), hydrodesulfurized
64742-81-0 Kerosine (petroleum), hydrodesulfurized
64742-94-5 Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy arom.
64742-96-7 Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy aliph.
64771-72-8 Paraffins (petroleum), normal C5-20
68477-31-6 Distillates (petroleum), catalytic reformer fractionator residue, low-boiling

Table a1 note(s)

Table a1 note a

The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CAS RN) is the property of the American Chemical Society, and any use or redistribution, except as required in supporting regulatory requirements and/or for reports to the Government of Canada when the information and the reports are required by law or administrative policy, is not permitted without the prior, written permission of the American Chemical Society.

Return to table a1 note a referrer

ANNEX II

Summary of the draft assessment of 16 substances in the Gas Oils and Kerosenes with Uses in Products Available to Consumers Group

Pursuant to section 68 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health have conducted an assessment of 16 substances referred to collectively under the Chemicals Management Plan as the Gas Oils and Kerosenes with Uses in Products Available to Consumers (GOKUPAC) Group. The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS RNs) and their Domestic Substances List (DSL) names are listed in Appendix A. Forty-two substances bearing CAS RNs were included in the initial draft assessment of the Gas Oils and Kerosenes Group, of which 27 substances are being addressed in separate assessments: 26 substances in an assessment of 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes and one substance bearing CAS RN 64742-88-7, in an assessment of the Low Boiling Point Naphthas (LBPNs) Group. The current assessment focuses on the 15 gas oils and kerosenes that remain from the 42 substances initially prioritized for assessment and substance bearing CAS RN 64771-72-8, which is another substance prioritized for assessment that has similar physical and chemical properties as the other substances in the GOKUPAC Group.

Gas oils and kerosenes are complex and highly variable combinations of hydrocarbons produced either directly through atmospheric distillation of crude oil or by the cracking of heavier vacuum distillation streams into lighter fractions, and are considered to be of unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products or biological materials (UVCBs). Six substances bearing CAS RNs in this assessment are kerosenes (CAS RN 8008-20-6, 64742-14-9, 64742-47-8, 64742-81-0, 64742-94-5 and 64742-96-7) and the remaining 10 substances bearing CAS RNs are gas oils.

The gas oil and kerosene substances in this Group are found in a wide variety of products available to consumers, including self-care products (i.e. cosmetics, natural health products [NHPs], and non-prescription drugs [NPDs]), air fresheners, do-it-yourself (DIY) products (e.g. adhesives and lubricants), automotive products, paints and coatings, household cleaning products, and other miscellaneous products.

In addition to uses in products available to consumers, all 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group were identified as being used industrially as petroleum diluents or in lubricants, petroleum production aids, printing inks, adhesives and sealants, and paints and coatings, or as industrial processing aids (e.g. cleaners, degreasers). In industrial uses, gas oils and kerosenes may be consumed at the refinery where they are produced, blended into substances leaving the refinery under different CAS RNs, or transported by truck or train to other petroleum or non-petroleum sector facilities for use as feedstocks or to be blended with other feedstocks, resulting in a new CAS RN. Owing to the similarity between their sources, production, physical-chemical properties, and hazard, substances in the GOKUPAC Group have been assessed together in this report.

The ecological portion of this assessment uses a group-based approach that focuses on the 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group. As there is a lack of information on when or if a CAS RN represents a refinery stream or a solvent, a range of aromatic contents from 20% to 80% by weight (wt%) is used, with one exception discussed below. The compositional variability that exists among CAS RNs and between substances with different CAS RNs in the GOKUPAC Group may lead to these substances being used interchangeably (provided they meet certain property specifications).

The uses of substances in the GOKUPAC Group identified as having the highest potential for release to the environment and that are considered in this assessment are formulation of lubricants or lubricant additives; formulation of various products including oil-water separation aids, printing inks, adhesives and sealants, processing aids, and paints and coatings; the industrial application of certain formulated products including printing inks and adhesives and sealants; the use of processing aids by paper mills; the use of processing aids by facilities in other sectors, including plastics and rubber, fabricated metal, machinery, and transportation equipment; and the application of biosolids containing gas oils and kerosenes to agricultural land. Environmental concentrations and compositions of substances in the GOKUPAC Group in surface water following wastewater treatment were estimated and compared with modelled predicted no-effect concentrations that were based on the predicted composition of substances in the GOKUPAC Group in the effluent.

Empirical and modelled aquatic toxicity data for substances in the GOKUPAC Group indicate moderate to high hazard, while empirical soil toxicity data indicate low hazard.

With the exception of the use of processing aids by paper mills, both low- and high-aromatic content GOKUPAC substances (i.e. 20 wt% to 80 wt%) were predicted as unlikely to be causing harm to the environment when used in the applications mentioned above. An aromatic content of 13 wt% was applied as an upper limit in the scenario for the use of processing aids by paper mills on the basis of information provided by this industry sector. This aromatic content was also predicted as unlikely to be causing harm to the environment. It is likely that lower aromatic content GOKUPAC substances are used in most of the above-mentioned applications; however, if an aromatic content greater than 13 wt% were used in processing aids used at paper mills, there would be potential for ecological harm. Substances in the GOKUPAC Group might accumulate in sediment near points of discharge; however, there is no information on their environmental concentrations or the impact of these substances on sediment-dwelling organisms.

Considering all available lines of evidence presented in this assessment, there is a low risk of harm to the environment from the 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group. It is proposed to conclude that the 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group do not meet the criteria under paragraphs 64(a) or 64(b) of CEPA as they are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity or that constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends.

To assess the risk to human health, the 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group are separated into two subgroups on the basis of differences in aromatic content and, by extension, their health effects. These subgroups are the Cto C25 predominantly aliphatic hydrocarbons (subgroup 1) and the C9 to C16 predominantly aromatic hydrocarbons (subgroup 2). Within each subgroup, the CAS RNs are assumed to be interchangeable with respect to their use in categories of products available to consumers.

Gas oils and kerosenes are used in a number of industrial applications, and unintentional releases of gas oils and kerosenes may occur at production facilities. Two of the substances in this group are subject to reporting requirements for releases to air under the National Pollutant Release Inventory. This information suggests that these two substances may be present in ambient air from facilities reporting their release and could subsequently result in exposure. In addition to the potential for release of gas oil and kerosene substances to the aquatic environment through wastewater effluents from industrial sources, which may result in exposure from drinking water, exposure from food through potential use as a component in the manufacture of food packaging materials and/or as components in incidental additives may also be possible.

Exposure to the gas oil and kerosene substances in this group may also occur from the use of a wide variety of products available to consumers.

Given that health effects data specific to the gas oils and kerosenes in the human health portion of the current assessment are limited, data from similar substances (e.g. kerosene-type aviation turbine fuels and LBPNs) were also considered. For the C9 to C25 predominantly aliphatic hydrocarbons (subgroup 1), systemic effects on hematological parameters and spleen and adrenal weights were considered to be the critical effects following short- and long-term dermal exposures. Developmental neurotoxicity was considered to be the critical effect following short- and long-term oral and inhalation exposure. A comparison of the associated critical effect levels with the exposure estimates from some cosmetics, NHPs, an NPD, automotive products, cleaning products, DIY products, paints and coatings, and other household products available to consumers in Canada resulted in margins of exposure (MOEs) that are considered to be potentially inadequate to address uncertainties in the health effects and exposure data used to characterize risk.

For the C9 to C16 predominantly aromatic hydrocarbons (subgroup 2), maternal and fetal toxicity was considered to be the critical effect following long-term oral exposures, short-term dermal exposures, and short- and long-term inhalation exposures. A comparison of the associated critical effect level with the exposure estimates from automotive products, paints and coatings, and other household products available to consumers in Canada resulted in MOEs that are considered to be potentially inadequate to address uncertainties in the health effects and exposure data used to characterize risk.

A critical health effect used for the initial prioritization of gas oils and kerosenes for assessment was carcinogenicity, based primarily on classifications by foreign and international agencies. On the basis of the likelihood of gas oils and kerosenes to contain polycyclic aromatic compounds ([PACs], comprising polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] and aromatics containing heteroatoms), the European Commission classifies seven of the gas oil and kerosene bearing CAS RNs in the present assessment as Category 1B carcinogens (“may cause cancer”) and one gas oil bearing a CAS RN as a Category 2 carcinogen (“suspected of causing cancer”), but considers these substances not to be carcinogenic if they are refined to contain less than 3 wt% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-extractable PAC content.

Given that the potential presence of PACs may be of concern to human health, 25 products readily available to consumers and containing substances in the GOKUPAC Group were tested to determine their levels of 16 PAHs (designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants) in order to give an approximate indication of their PAC content. Only residual to low levels (low parts per billion to low parts per million [ppm]) of these PAHs were found. According to the European Commission’s classifications, these gas oils and kerosenes are therefore not considered to be carcinogenic. Converting all 16 priority pollutant PAHs into benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) equivalents resulted in an equivalent B[a]P level, which was lower than the European Union individual PAH limits for rubber and soft plastic toys and children’s articles (0.5 ppm). Therefore, the PAH content in these gas oils and kerosenes used to formulate products available to consumers examined in this assessment is not considered to be of concern for human health.

On the basis of the carbon range of the gas oils and kerosenes, other potential components that may lead to health effects are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). To address this concern, the levels of BTEX were determined in 20 products containing gas oils and kerosenes, which were readily available to Canadian consumers. On the basis of these results, the BTEX content in these gas oils and kerosenes used to formulate products available to consumers examined in this assessment is not considered to be of concern for human health.

The human health assessment for each substance took into consideration those groups of individuals within the Canadian population who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects. Fetuses, infants, children, and persons of reproductive age (i.e. teens and adults capable of becoming pregnant) were identified as having the potential for greater susceptibility than the general population. People living in the vicinity of industrial facilities were identified as having the potential for higher exposure than the general population. In addition, young children and formula-fed infants were found to have higher exposure than adults. All of these populations were taken into consideration when assessing the potential harm to human health.

Considering all the information presented in this draft assessment, it is proposed to conclude that the 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA as they are entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.

Proposed overall conclusion

It is proposed to conclude that the 16 substances in the GOKUPAC Group meet the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA.

The draft assessment and the risk management scope document for these substances are available on the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

PAYMENT CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT ACT

Notice of designation of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. (“CME”) clears and settles a range of derivatives, including listed futures and options on futures in major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products, metals, and over-the-counter derivatives.

Under subsection 13.1(2) of the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act (the “Act”), the Minister of Finance may designate an entity as a securities and derivatives clearing house if the Minister is of the opinion it is in the public interest to do so and the entity provides clearing and settlement services to its clearing members in respect of transactions that involve securities or derivatives.

Effective February 9, 2024, the Minister of Finance has designated CME as a securities and derivatives clearing house under Part II, subsection 13.1(2) of the Act.

Designation under subsection 13.1(2) of the Act provides greater legal certainty for CME’s operations by ensuring that CME’s rules are considered final and preventing insolvency laws or court decisions from interfering with the use of collateral pledged by its participants. These protections allow CME to operate more effectively in times of market stress, with greater certainty regarding the outcomes in the event of a participant’s failure.

May 4, 2024

Grahame Johnson
Assistant Deputy Minister
Financial Sector Policy

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

PAYMENT CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT ACT

Notice of designation of ICE NGX Canada Inc.

ICE NGX Canada Inc. (“ICE NGX”) provides electronic trading, central counterparty clearing, and data services to the North American natural gas, electricity, and environmental commodity markets.

Under subsection 13.1(2) of the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act (the “Act”), the Minister of Finance may designate an entity as a securities and derivatives clearing house if the Minister is of the opinion it is in the public interest to do so and the entity provides clearing and settlement services to its clearing members in respect of transactions that involve securities or derivatives.

Effective February 9, 2024, the Minister of Finance has designated ICE NGX as a securities and derivatives clearing house under Part II, subsection 13.1(2) of the Act.

Designation under subsection 13.1(2) of the Act provides greater legal certainty for ICE NGX’s operations by ensuring that ICE NGX’s rules are considered final and preventing insolvency laws or court decisions from interfering with the use of collateral pledged by its participants. These protections allow ICE NGX to operate more effectively in times of market stress, with greater certainty regarding the outcomes in the event of a participant’s failure.

May 4, 2024

Grahame Johnson
Assistant Deputy Minister
Financial Sector Policy

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL

Appointments

April 25, 2024

Rachida Lagmiri
Official Documents Registrar

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

CANADA SHIPPING ACT, 2001

Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2024

Whereas the Minister of Transport believes that the annexed Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2024 is required to deal with a direct or indirect risk to marine safety or to the marine environment;

And whereas the provisions of the annexed Interim Order may be contained in a regulation made under paragraphs 35.1(1)(k)footnote a and 136(1)(f)footnote b of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 footnote c;

Therefore, the Minister of Transport, under subsection 10.1(1)footnote d of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 footnote c, makes the annexed Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2024.

Ottawa, April 16, 2024

Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport

Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2024

Definitions

Definitions

1 The following definitions apply in this Interim Order.

buffer area
means the area that extends 5 nautical miles south of a dynamic shipping zone and that extends 2.5 nautical miles east and west of that zone and of the area that is 5 nautical miles south of that zone. (zone tampon)
dynamic shipping zone
means a zone described in Part 2 of the schedule. (zone de transport maritime dynamique)
Minister
means the Minister of Transport. (ministre)
navigational warning
means a communication identified as a navigational warning, or NAVWARN, that the Canadian Coast Guard publishes online or broadcasts. (avertissement de navigation)
restricted area
means the area that is within the southern static zone and that is described in Part 4 of the schedule. (zone de restriction)
right whale
means a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis). (baleine noire)
seasonal management area
means an area described in Part 3 of the schedule. (zone de gestion saisonnière)
static zone
means a zone described in Part 1 of the schedule. (zone statique)

Application

Vessels

2 (1) This Interim Order applies to vessels that are more than 13 m in length.

Non-application

(2) This Interim Order does not apply to

Definition of length

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), length means the distance measured from the forward end of the foremost outside surface of the hull shell to the aft end of the aftermost outside surface of the hull shell.

Static Zones

Speed limit

3 A vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within a static zone.

Exclusion — commercial fishing and ice clearing

4 (1) The following vessels are not subject to the speed limit set out in section 3:

Exception — right whale detection

(2) However, if a notice to fish harvesters and a navigational warning state that at least one right whale has been detected in a static zone in waters that are not more than 36.57 m deep, the speed limit set out in section 3 applies to a vessel described in paragraph (1)(a) for a period beginning at the time specified in the notice and warning and ending on the 15th day after the day on which the right whale is detected.

New detection

(3) If a new notice to fish harvesters and a new navigational warning with the same statement are published during the last seven days of the period referred to in subsection (2), the speed limit continues to apply for a further 15 days after the day on which the right whale, in respect of which the new notice and new warning were published, is detected.

Definition of notice to fish harvesters

(4) In this section, notice to fish harvesters means a communication identified as a notice to fish harvesters that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans publishes online.

Dynamic Shipping Zones

Right whale detection

5 (1) If the Minister detects at least one right whale in a dynamic shipping zone or in that zone’s buffer area, the Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a navigational warning indicating that a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within that zone.

Speed limit

(2) From the time that the navigational warning comes into effect, a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within the zone referred to in the navigational warning.

Duration

(3) The speed limit ceases to apply on the 15th day after the day on which the right whale is detected.

New detection

(4) The Minister’s obligation under subsection (1) does not apply with respect to the detection of a right whale that occurs in the zone referred to in the navigational warning or in that zone’s buffer area during the first eight days after the day on which the right whale, in respect of which the navigational warning was published or broadcast, is detected.

Inability to conduct detection activities

6 (1) If the Government of Canada is unable for a period of at least seven days to conduct right whale detection activities or to have those activities conducted on its behalf, in respect of a dynamic shipping zone or that zone’s buffer area, the Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a navigational warning indicating that a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within that zone.

Speed limit

(2) From the time that the navigational warning comes into effect, a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within the zone referred to in the navigational warning.

Detection activities resume

(3) When whale detection activities resume, the Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a new navigational warning indicating that the speed limit no longer applies.

Duration

(4) The speed limit ceases to apply from the time that the new navigational warning comes into effect.

Seasonal Management Areas

Beginning of season

7 Until June 25, 2024, a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within a seasonal management area.

Right whale detection

8 (1) Beginning on June 26, 2024, if the Minister detects at least one right whale in a seasonal management area, the Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a navigational warning indicating that a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within that area.

Speed limit

(2) From the time that the navigational warning comes into effect, a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within the area referred to in the navigational warning.

Duration

(3) The speed limit ceases to apply on the 15th day after the day on which the right whale is detected.

New detection

(4) The Minister’s obligation under subsection (1) does not apply with respect to the detection of a right whale that occurs in the area referred to in the navigational warning during the first eight days after the day on which the right whale, in respect of which the navigational warning was published or broadcast, is detected.

Restricted Area

Restricted area

9 (1) The Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a navigational warning indicating that a vessel must not navigate in the restricted area if the Minister determines that it is necessary to restrict navigation in that area for the purpose of protecting right whales due to either of the following factors:

Prohibition

(2) From the time that the navigational warning comes into effect, a vessel must not navigate in the restricted area.

End of prohibition

(3) The Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a new navigational warning indicating that the prohibition under subsection (2) no longer applies if the Minister determines that it is no longer necessary to restrict navigation in the restricted area for the purpose of protecting right whales, due to either of the following factors:

Duration

(4) The prohibition no longer applies from the time that the new navigational warning comes into effect.

Exceptions

(5) Subsection (2) does not apply to any of the following vessels:

Speed limit

(6) Despite the speed limit set out in section 3, a vessel referred to in subsection (5), other than a vessel referred to in paragraph (5)(c), must not proceed at a speed in excess of 8 knots over ground within the restricted area while the prohibition against navigation under subsection (2) is in effect.

General Speed Limit

Report of death or injury

10 (1) If the Minister receives a report of the death or injury of at least one right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a navigational warning indicating that a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within

Speed limit

(2) From the time that the navigational warning comes into effect, a vessel must not proceed at a speed in excess of 10 knots over ground within any area or zone referred to in the navigational warning.

Duration

(3) The speed limit ceases to apply on the 15th day after the day on which the navigational warning comes into effect.

Clarification

New navigational warning

11 For greater certainty, if a navigational warning referred to in subsection 5(1), 8(1) or 10(1) is in effect with respect to a zone or area, as applicable, when a new navigational warning is published or broadcast with respect to the same zone or area, the speed limit continues to apply for a further 15 days after

Exception

Weather conditions

12 (1) If the Minister determines that, because of current or forecast weather conditions, the suspension of a speed limit or prohibition that is in effect under this Interim Order is necessary to maintain marine safety, the Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a navigational warning indicating that the speed limit or prohibition, as applicable, is suspended for the area or zone referred to in the navigational warning.

Suspension

(2) From the time that the navigational warning comes into effect, the speed limit or prohibition set out in the navigational warning is suspended for the area or zone specified in the navigational warning.

Improved weather conditions

(3) The Minister must request that the Canadian Coast Guard publish or broadcast a new navigational warning indicating that the navigational warning referred to in subsection (1) has ceased to have effect if the Minister determines that current or forecast weather conditions have improved such that the suspension is no longer necessary to maintain marine safety.

Duration

(4) The suspension referred to in subsection (2) applies until the time that the new navigational warning comes into effect.

Clarification

(5) For greater certainty, the suspension does not extend the duration of a speed limit.

Repeal

November 15, 2024

13 This Interim Order is repealed on November 15, 2024.

SCHEDULE

(Section 1)

Zones and Areas

PART 1
Static Zones

Northern Static Zone

The northern static zone is the area bounded by a line

Southern Static Zone

The southern static zone is the area bounded by a line

PART 2
Dynamic Shipping Zones

Dynamic Shipping Zone A

Dynamic shipping zone A is the area bounded by a line

Dynamic Shipping Zone B

Dynamic shipping zone B is the area bounded by a line

Dynamic Shipping Zone C

Dynamic shipping zone C is the area bounded by a line

Dynamic Shipping Zone D

Dynamic shipping zone D is the area bounded by a line

Dynamic Shipping Zone E

Dynamic shipping zone E is the area bounded by a line

PART 3
Seasonal Management Areas

Seasonal Management Area 1

Seasonal management area 1 is the area bounded by a line

Seasonal Management Area 2

Seasonal management area 2 is the area bounded by a line

PART 4
Restricted Area

The restricted area is the area bounded by a line

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.

Governor in Council appointment opportunities
Position Organization Closing date
Director Bank of Canada  
Director Canada Foundation for Innovation  
Director Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology  
Director Canada Infrastructure Bank  
Chairperson Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation  
Director Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation  
President Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation  
Director Canadian Air Transport Security Authority  
President Canadian Broadcasting Corporation  
Director Canadian Commercial Corporation  
Commissioner Canadian Energy Regulator  
Director Canadian Energy Regulator  
Chief Commissioner Canadian Human Rights Commission  
Member Canadian Institutes of Health Research  
President Canadian Institutes of Health Research  
Chairperson Canadian Museum for Human Rights  
President Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission  
Director Canadian Race Relations Foundation  
Director Canadian Tourism Commission  
Chairperson Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board  
Member Copyright Board  
Executive Head Employment Insurance Board of Appeal  
Member Employment Insurance Board of Appeal  
Regional Coordinator Employment Insurance Board of Appeal  
Director Export Development Canada  
Commissioner Financial Consumer Agency of Canada  
Commissioner First Nations Tax Commission  
Director (Federal) Halifax Port Authority  
Deputy Chairperson and Member, Refugee Appeal Division Immigration and Refugee Board  
Member Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures  
Vice-Chairperson Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures  
Chairperson Laurentian Pilotage Authority  
Commissioner Law Commission of Canada  
Parliamentary Librarian Library of Parliament  
Chairperson National Advisory Council on Poverty  
Member (Children’s Issues) National Advisory Council on Poverty  
Member National Arts Centre Corporation  
Chairperson National Gallery of Canada  
Chairperson National Seniors Council  
Member National Seniors Council  
Member Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council  
Canadian Representative North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization  
Director of Public Prosecutions Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions  
Member Parole Board of Canada June 7, 2024
Administrator Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund and Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods  
Member Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council  
Chief Statistician Statistics Canada  
Chairperson Telefilm Canada  
Member Telefilm Canada  
Director VIA Rail Canada Inc.