Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 153, Number 21: GOVERNMENT NOTICES

May 25, 2019

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Final guideline for Canadian drinking water quality for strontium

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 strontium. The technical document for this guideline is available on the Water Quality website. This document underwent a public consultation period of 60 days in 2018 and was updated to take into consideration the comments received.

May 15, 2019

David Morin
Director General
Safe Environments Directorate

On behalf of the Minister of Health

ANNEX

Guideline

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total strontium in drinking water is 7.0 mg/L.

Executive summary

Strontium is widely distributed in nature and has been identified in many different minerals. It may be present in water in the environment from natural sources (rock and soil weathering) or as a result of human activities. Although not actively mined in Canada, strontium can be released to the environment as a by-product of other mining operations or from its usage in many industries. Strontium is used in electrical applications and paint, to remove lead from zinc electrolytic solutions, in pyrotechnics and signalling devices, as well as in the manufacture of various other products (e.g. glass, ceramic permanent magnets and glazes and aluminum alloys). Strontium salts are employed in Canada for their beneficial effects on health, either as natural health products (licensed mainly to help support bone health) or in cancer therapy. Radioactive forms of strontium are used in medical applications, such as bone imaging. Strontium is naturally found in the environment as a mixture of four radioisotopes, which are considered stable. The focus of this document is limited to strontium’s chemical properties. Radiological forms and/or radioactive isotopes of strontium are addressed in a separate document (Health Canada, 2009).

This guideline technical document reviews and assesses all identified health risks associated with strontium 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 strontium in drinking water is a maximum acceptable concentration of 7.0 mg/L.

Health effects

Although only a few studies conducted in humans have documented adverse effects of strontium on bone, many animal studies have observed adverse bone effects following ingestion of high doses of strontium. Since the highest sensitivity to adverse bone effects occurs during the first year of life, infants are considered to be the sensitive subpopulation for strontium toxicity. Consequently, the MAC of 7.0 mg/L has been established based on studies of bone effects in young rats.

Exposure

Canadians are primarily exposed to strontium through food and drinking water. Strontium concentrations in Canadian food items vary across cities and years and depend on the food item and soil conditions. Strontium levels in Canadian drinking water can vary greatly, depending on geological formations and anthropogenic activities surrounding the source water, with groundwater generally presenting higher levels than surface water. Intake of strontium 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 strontium in drinking water at levels well below the MAC. Measurement should be for total strontium, which includes both the dissolved and particulate forms of strontium in the water sample.

Chemical precipitation and ion exchange techniques are the two best technologies for removal of naturally occurring strontium in drinking water. At the municipal level, available technologies for the treatment of total strontium include chemical precipitation, ion exchange and reverse osmosis. Other strategies for reducing exposure to strontium include switching to a new source, blending and interconnecting with another water system.

At the residential level, treatment devices using ion exchange or reverse osmosis technologies would be effective at removing strontium from drinking water, although none are currently certified for that purpose. It is important to note that reverse osmosis systems should be installed only at the point of use, as the treated water may be corrosive to internal plumbing components.

International considerations

The World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union and Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council have not established health-based limits for chemical strontium in drinking water. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established a lifetime health advisory of 4 mg/L for strontium in drinking water.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION REVIEW ACT

Filing of claims for exemption

Pursuant to paragraph 12(1)(a) of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act, the Chief Screening Officer hereby gives notice of the filing of the claims for exemption listed below.

In accordance with subsection 12(2) of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act, affected parties, as defined, may make written representations to the screening officer with respect to the claim for exemption and the safety data sheet (SDS) or label to which it relates. Written representations must cite the appropriate registry number, state the reasons and evidence upon which the representations are based and be delivered within 30 days of the date of the publication of this notice in the Canada Gazette, Part I, to the screening officer at the following address: Workplace Hazardous Materials Bureau, 269 Laurier Avenue West, 8th Floor (4908-B), Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9.

Véronique Lalonde
Chief Screening Officer

On February 11, 2015, the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) was amended and the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the Ingredient Disclosure List were repealed and replaced with the new Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). The revised legislation (HPA/HPR) is referred to as WHMIS 2015.

The claims listed below seek an exemption from the disclosure of supplier confidential business information in respect of a hazardous product; such disclosure would otherwise be required under the provisions of the relevant legislation.

Claimant Product Identifier Subject of the Claim for Exemption Registry Number
Secure Energy (Drilling Services) Inc. SECURE MO-8850 C.i. and C. of three ingredients 03325990
ChemTreat Inc. ChemTreat FL9729SK C.i. and C. of three ingredients 03326017
CRI/Criterion Catalyst Company CENTERA® Catalyst DN-3621 C.i. of one ingredient 03326057
Cambrian Solutions Inc. Cambrex XAS C.i. of one ingredient 03326430
Baker Hughes Canada Company WCW1421 COMBINATION PRODUCT C.i. and C. of four ingredients
C. of two ingredients
03326953
Baker Hughes Canada Company ScaleAvert FM 12 C.i. and C. of one ingredient 03326954
FAIRVILLE PRODUCTS, INC. dba FUEL RIGHT FUEL RIGHT 15K C.i. and C. of two ingredients
C. of one ingredient
03327166
Baker Hughes Canada Company CRO2032X CORROSION INHIBITOR C.i. and C. of one ingredient
C.i. of three ingredients
03327167
3M Canada Company 3M ™ Scotchkote ™ Liquid Epoxy Coating 323+ Brush Grade, Part B C.i. of one ingredient
C. of two ingredients
03327169
3M Canada Company 3M™ Scotchkote ™ Liquid Epoxy Coating 323+ Spray Grade, Part B C.i. of one ingredient
C. of four ingredients
03327171
3M Canada Company 3M™ Scotch-Weld ™ EC-7202 B/A Part A C. of two ingredients 03327803
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions Canada E.C.O.FILM EF2591 C.i and C. of three ingredients 03327925
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions Canada E.C.O.FILM EF2402 C.i and C. of one ingredient 03327926
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions Canada E.C.O.FILM EF2592 C.i and C. of three ingredients 03327927
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions Canada E.C.O.FILM PE2505 C.i and C. of two ingredients 03327928
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions Canada E.C.O.FILM EF2502 C.i. and C. of two ingredients 03327942
Afton Chemical Corporation Hitec® 594 Performance Additive C.i. and C. of one ingredient 03328111
Afton Chemical Corporation Hitec® 1811 Performance Additive C.i. and C. of two ingredients 03328116
ChemTreat Inc. ChemTreat FL9799SK C.i. and C. of five ingredients 03328150
Dow Chemical Canada ULC DIAMONDLOCK™ FCA 500 C.i. of one ingredient 03328157
Baker Hughes Canada Company WAW3956 IRON SULFIDE CONTROL C.i. and C. of one ingredient
C.i. of one ingredient
C. of one ingredient
03328160
Evonik Corporation ANCAMINE® 2264 Curing Agent C.i. of one ingredient 03328452
Evonik Corporation Anquamine 401 Curing Agent C.i of one ingredient 03328453
Baker Hughes Canada Company BPC 67335 COMPLETE TREATMENT C.i. of two ingredients 03328541
Nalco Canada ULC NITROSOLVE™ 220 C.i. of one ingredient 03328741
Solvay Canada Inc. Agrhospec HT 2009 C.i. of two ingredients 03328742
Calfrac Well Services Ltd. DynaRate 6522 C.i. and C. of four ingredients 03328853

Note: C.i. = chemical identity and C. = concentration

GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA

Consultations on Canada’s import tariff rate quotas for supply-managed commodities

The Government of Canada remains committed to ensuring that the administration of its import tariff rate quotas (TRQs), which are a key pillar of Canada’s supply management system, remains effective and efficient. The consultations are intended to assist in providing evidence-based recommendations to guide ministerial decisions on longer-term TRQ-related allocation policies for products under supply management (dairy, poultry and eggs).

The consultations are intended to be extensive, encompassing the broad Canadian public; relevant national, provincial and territorial industry associations; key stakeholders; provincial and territorial governments; and trading partners.

Background

On November 21, 2018, the Minister of International Trade Diversification approved an interim allocation policy for the 20 new TRQs established under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The implementation of interim policies was done considering three factors: expedited timelines for CPTPP implementation, the cumulative impact of market access commitments for supply-managed sectors under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and CPTPP, and the uncertainties regarding the eventual outcomes of the negotiations toward the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

In conjunction with the interim policy, the Minister also approved the proposal to initiate a comprehensive review of TRQ administration in spring 2019, in order to provide recommendations for longer-term allocation and administration policies for Canada’s suite of supply-managed sector TRQs.

The consultations will cover all aspects of TRQ allocation and administration: within sectors, across free trade agreements, and addressing all administrative elements. Global Affairs Canada has developed a short questionnaire for stakeholders to complete, which can be accessed through the consultation web page.

All interested parties have until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on August 31, 2019, to submit their input.

Please read the privacy notice statement carefully prior to completing the questionnaire or sending a written submission.

Input can be sent by email to TRQConsultation.ConsultationCT@international.gc.ca or by mail to the Supply-Managed Trade Controls Division, Global Affairs Canada, 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2.

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 Administrator Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada  
Chairperson Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada  
Chairperson and Director Atomic Energy of Canada Limited  
Chairperson Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology  
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Canada Industrial Relations Board  
Chairperson Canada Lands Company Limited  
President and Chief Executive Officer Canada Lands Company Limited  
Chairperson (joint federal Governor in Council and provincial Lieutenant Governor appointment) Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board  
Board Member (Anticipatory) Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization  
Chairperson (Anticipatory) Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization  
Chief Executive Officer (Anticipatory) Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization  
Vice-Chairperson (Anticipatory) Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization  
Chairperson Canadian Dairy Commission  
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Director Canadian Energy Regulator  
Chief Executive Officer Canadian Energy Regulator  
Lead Commissioner, Deputy Lead Commissioner and Commissioner Canadian Energy Regulator  
Pay Equity Commissioner Canadian Human Rights Commission  
Chairperson Canadian Institutes of Health Research  
Permanent Member Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission  
Regional Member (British Columbia/Yukon) Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission  
Regional Member (Quebec) Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission  
Chairperson and Member Canadian Statistics Advisory Council  
President (Chief Executive Officer) Canadian Tourism Commission  
President and Chief Executive Officer Defense Construction (1951) Limited  
Chairperson Farm Credit Canada  
President and Chief Executive Officer Farm Credit Canada  
Vice-Chairperson Farm Products Council of Canada  
Commissioner Financial Consumer Agency of Canada  
Chairperson First Nations Financial Management Board  
Chief Commissioner First Nations Tax Commission  
Director Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation  
Director (Federal) Hamilton Port Authority  
Sergeant-at-Arms and Corporate Security Officer House of Commons  
Member International Authority  
Member (appointment to roster) International Trade and International Investment Dispute Settlement Bodies  
Vice-Chairperson Invest in Canada Hub  
Librarian and Archivist of Canada Library and Archives of Canada  
Member National Capital Commission  
Government Film Commissioner National Film Board  
President Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada  
Auditor General of Canada Office of the Auditor General  
Chief Accessibility Officer (Anticipatory) Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer  
Ombudsperson Office of the Ombudsperson for National Defence and Canadian Forces  
Director (Federal) Oshawa Port Authority  
Chairperson Pacific Pilotage Authority  
Chief Executive Officer Parks Canada  
Vice-Chairperson and Member Patented Medicine Prices Review Board  
Commissioner Public Service Commission  
Member and Alternate Member Renewable Resources Board (Gwich’in)  
Member and Alternate Member Renewable Resources Board (Sahtu)  
Principal Royal Military College of Canada  
Vice-Chairperson (all streams) Social Security Tribunal of Canada  
Chairperson Telefilm Canada