Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 17: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
April 27, 2024
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999
Publication of final decision after assessment of 22 Acids and Bases Group substances specified on the Domestic Substances List (section 77 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)
Whereas a summary of the assessment conducted on 22 substances identified in the annex below pursuant to paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act) is annexed hereby;
Whereas hydroxylammonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorate, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide were previously addressed under the Priority Substance Assessment Program, but a conclusion for potential harm to human health was not determined;
And whereas it is concluded that hydroxylammonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorate, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide do not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of the Act,
And whereas it is concluded that the remaining 16 substances do not meet any 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 propose to take no further action for these substances at this time.
Steven Guilbeault
Minister of the Environment
Mark Holland
Minister of Health
ANNEX
Summary of the assessment of the Acids and Bases 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 on 22 substances referred to collectively in this assessment as the Acids and Bases Group. The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS RNsfootnote 1), the Domestic Substances List (DSL) names and the common names of these substances are listed in the table below.
| Subgroup | CAS RN | DSL name (molecular formula) | Common name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | 5470-11-1 table 1 note a table 1 note b | Hydroxylamine, hydrochloride (ClH4NO) | Hydroxylammonium chloride |
| Free available chlorine, chlorate and chlorite | 7681-52-9 table 1 note b | Hypochlorous acid, sodium salt (NaClO) | Sodium hypochlorite |
| 7775-09-9 table 1 note b | Chloric acid, sodium salt (NaClO3) | Sodium chlorate | |
| 7778-54-3 table 1 note b | Hypochlorous acid, calcium salt (CaCl2O2) | Calcium hypochlorite | |
| 7782-50-5 table 1 note b | Chlorine (Cl2) | Chlorine | |
| 10049-04-4 table 1 note b | Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) | Chlorine dioxide | |
| Hydrogen and hydroxide | 1310-58-3 | Potassium hydroxide (KOH) | Potassium hydroxide |
| 1310-73-2 | Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) | Sodium hydroxide | |
| 1312-76-1 | Silicic acid, potassium salt (K2SiO3) | Potassium silicate | |
| 1344-09-8 | Silicic acid, sodium salt (HNaSiO3) | Sodium silicate | |
| 7647-01-0 | Hydrochloric acid (HCl) | Hydrochloric acid | |
| 7664-93-9 | Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) | Sulphuric acid | |
| 12136-45-7 | Potassium oxide (K2O) | Potassium oxide | |
| Nitrate and nitrite | 7631-99-4 | Nitric acid sodium salt (NaNO3) | Sodium nitrate |
| 7632-00-0 | Nitrous acid, sodium salt (NaNO2) | Sodium nitrite | |
| 7697-37-2 | Nitric acid (HNO3) | Nitric acid | |
| 7757-79-1 | Nitric acid potassium salt (KNO3) | Potassium nitrate | |
| 10124-37-5 | Nitric acid, calcium salt (Ca(NO3)2) | Calcium nitrate | |
| Phosphate | 1314-56-3 | Phosphorus oxide (P2O5) | Diphosphorus pentoxide |
| 7664-38-2 | Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) | Phosphoric acid | |
| Sulphite | 7631-90-5 | Sulfurous acid, monosodium salt (HNaSO3) | Sodium bisulfite |
| 7681-57-4 | Disulphurous acid, disodium salt (Na2O5S2) | Sodium metabisulfite | |
Table 1 note(s)
|
|||
Seven substances in the Acids and Bases Group (chlorine, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and nitric acid) are known to be naturally occurring in the environment. While the other 15 substances in this group are not known to be naturally occurring, most of their water dissociation products are ubiquitous and naturally present in aquatic environments.
In Canada, the 22 substances are generally used as paint and coating additives; intermediates; plant nutrients; process regulators; and as agents for redox reactions, corrosion inhibition, anti-scaling, plating, surface treating, filler, cleaning, disinfecting, bleaching and petroleum-refining. Some of these substances may also be found in pesticides, drugs, including natural health products (NHPs), cosmetics, dyes, or in explosives; or used as food additives or as a component in the manufacture of food packaging materials.
The 22 substances readily react and transform in aqueous solutions. For the purpose of this assessment, they were categorized into 6 subgroups based on their primary water dissociation products: (1) ammonia, (2) free available chlorine, chlorate and chlorite (FACCC), (3) sulphite, (4) hydrogen and hydroxide, (5) phosphate, and (6) nitrate and nitrite.
Based upon their physical-chemical properties, environmental fate and behaviour, and reported uses, the six substances in the ammonia and FACCC subgroups are considered to have been addressed previously for ecological concerns through the Priority Substances List assessment reports on the following topics: ammonia in the aquatic environment, effluents from pulp mills using bleaching, chlorinated wastewater effluents, and inorganic chloramines. Given these previous assessments and ongoing regulatory activities, these six substances were not considered further from an ecological perspective in this assessment; however, a conclusion for potential harm to human health was not determined at the time. Therefore, these substances were considered only from a human health perspective in this assessment.
The ecological risks of the remaining 16 substances in the Acids and Bases Group were characterized using a qualitative or quantitative approach. Exposure profiling and hazard characterization were based on domestic and international reports as well as scientific literature. Canadian import, manufacture and release data reported by industrial facilities were also analyzed to help characterize the potential for exposure in Canada.
The ecological hazard potential of substances in the hydrogen and hydroxide, and phosphate subgroups, and one substance in the nitrate and nitrite subgroup (nitric acid), is associated with changes in water pH, rather than direct toxicological effects. Information collected on the pH of municipal wastewater treatment system effluents, the main source of potential environmental exposure for these substances, indicate that their pH is within the Canadian Water Quality Guideline for freshwater (pH 6.5–9). Therefore, there is a low potential for these substances to cause ecological harm through adjustment of pH in the receiving environment. The remaining four substances in the nitrate and nitrite subgroup and the sulphite subgroup are not anticipated to cause ecological harm based on characterization of hazard and exposure potential.
Considering all available lines of evidence presented in this assessment, there is a low risk of harm to the environment from 16 substances in the Acids and Bases Group. It is concluded that these 16 substances do not meet the criteria under paragraphs 64(a) or (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.
With respect to human health, hydroxylammonium chloride was evaluated as part of the Rapid Screening of Substances with Limited General Population Exposure. Based on this approach, exposure of the general population to hydroxylammonium chloride was considered to be negligible; therefore, this substance is considered to be of low concern for human health at current levels of exposure.
Three subgroups (sulphite, hydrogen and hydroxide, and phosphate) were considered in the Science Approach Document for Substances with Low Human Health Hazard Potential. The low human health hazard potential approach is used to identify substances with low inherent repeated-dose toxicity. This hazard-based approach considers a number of metrics, including the effects noted in animal and human toxicity studies, and the relevant route(s) of exposure of the substance, to determine if the health effects of the substance are limited or unlikely. Given the results presented in that approach document, these 11 substances are considered to be of low concern for human health. Three substances in the FACCC subgroup were also evaluated using the low human health hazard potential approach and are considered to be of low concern for human health based on their low human health hazard potential.
For chlorine, a comparison of estimated levels of exposure from outdoor air and critical effect levels results in margins of exposure that are considered adequate to account for uncertainties in the health effects and exposure datasets; therefore, these levels are not considered to be of concern for human health.
Canadians may be exposed to chlorine dioxide through environmental media such as drinking water and air, as well as products available to consumers, including non-prescription drugs and odour control products. A comparison of estimated levels of exposure from outdoor air and products available to consumers and critical effect levels associated with respiratory and neurodevelopmental effects results in margins of exposure that are considered adequate to account for uncertainties in the health effects and exposure datasets; therefore, these levels are not considered to be of concern for human health.
Exposure to sodium chlorate may occur from drinking water, cosmetics and cleaning products. A comparison of estimated levels of exposure to the general population and critical effect levels associated with thyroid effects results in margins of exposure that are adequate to account for uncertainties in the health effects and exposure datasets; therefore, these levels are not considered to be of concern for human health.
Acceptable daily intake (ADI) values derived by the European Food Safety Authority were used as a reference dose for risk characterization for the substances in the nitrate and nitrite subgroup. Nitrate and nitrite occur naturally in environmental media, are permitted food additives, may be used as components in the manufacture of food packaging materials, or as components in incidental additives used in food processing establishments, and may also be found in products available to consumers such as cosmetics, cleaning products and NHPs. Exposure estimates presented in comparison to the ADIs did not result in any exceedances and are therefore considered to be of low risk to human health.
The human health assessment 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.
Considering all the information presented in this assessment, it is concluded that the 22 substances in the Acids and Bases Group do not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA, as they are not 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.
Of the 22 substances in the Acids and Bases Group, 6 (hydroxylammonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorate, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide) were previously addressed by Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Priority Substances Assessment Program; however, a conclusion for potential harm to human health was not determined. As these substances were not reassessed from an ecological perspective, the conclusion for these 6 substances is limited to the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA.
Overall conclusion
It is therefore concluded that 16 substances in the Acids and Bases Group (sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium silicate, sodium silicate, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, potassium oxide, diphosphorus pentoxide, phosphoric acid, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, nitric acid, potassium nitrate, and calcium nitrate) do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA. In addition, it is concluded that the other 6 substances in the Acids and Bases Group (hydroxylammonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorate, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide) do not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA.
The assessment for these substances is available on the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
PARKS CANADA AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
SPECIES AT RISK ACT
Description of critical habitat of the Spotted Gar in Point Pelee National Park of Canada, Long Point National Wildlife Area, and Big Creek National Wildlife Area
The Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) is a freshwater fish species listed as threatened on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act. In Canada, the Spotted Gar is found in shallow, heavily vegetated coastal wetlands along the north shore of Lake Erie in southwestern Ontario. This species typically inhabits clear, well-vegetated, slow-moving or still waters. The Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) in Canada, which is included in the Species at Risk Public Registry and may be amended from time to time, identifies critical habitat for the species in a number of areas, including federally protected areas described in subsection 58(2) of the Species at Risk Act.
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to subsection 58(3) of the Species at Risk Act, subsection 58(1) of that Act applies, 90 days after publication of this notice, to that portion of the critical habitat of the Spotted Gar, as identified in the recovery strategy and action plan included on the Species at Risk Public Registry, within the following federally protected areas: Point Pelee National Park of Canada, the boundaries of which are described in Schedule 1 of the Canada National Parks Act, and Long Point National Wildlife Area and the Big Creek Unit of Big Creek National Wildlife Area, the boundaries of which are described in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations made pursuant to the Canada Wildlife Act.
Nicole Bouchard
Director General
Biodiversity Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Sarah Quinlan Cutler
Acting Field Unit Superintendent
Southwest Ontario Field Unit
Parks Canada Agency
Sarah Wren
Director
Species at Risk Act Implementation
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT
Notice No. TIPB-001-2024 — Petition to the Governor in Council concerning Telecom Decision CRTC 2023-358
Notice is hereby given that a petition was received by the Governor in Council (GIC) under section 12 of the Telecommunications Act with respect to Telecom Decision CRTC 2023-358, Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework – Temporary access to fibre-to-the-premises facilities over aggregated wholesale high-speed access services, a decision issued by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
Subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act provides that, within one year after a decision by the CRTC, the GIC may, on petition in writing presented to the GIC within 90 days after the decision, or on the GIC’s own motion, by order, vary or rescind the decision or refer it back to the CRTC for reconsideration of all or a portion of it.
Submitting comments
Submissions regarding this petition should be filed by June 11, 2024. All comments received will be posted on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Spectrum management and telecommunications website.
Submissions should be addressed to the Director General, Telecommunications and Internet Policy Branch, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, preferably in electronic format (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF) to the following email address: ic.telecomsubmission-soumissiontelecom.ic@ised-isde.gc.ca. Written copies can be sent to the Director General, Telecommunications and Internet Policy Branch, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 235 Queen Street, 10th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5.
All submissions should cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, the publication date, the title and the notice reference number (TIPB-001-2024).
Obtaining copies
Copies of the petition, as well as copies of all relevant documents and submissions received in response, may be obtained electronically on the Spectrum management and telecommunications website, under “Petitions and Public Notices.” It is the responsibility of interested parties to check the public record from time to time to keep abreast of submissions received.
Official versions of notices can be viewed on the Canada Gazette website.
April 26, 2024
Andre Arbour
Director General
Telecommunications and Internet Policy Branch
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
CANADA MARINE ACT
Sept-Îles Port Authority — Supplementary letters patent
WHEREAS letters patent were issued by the Minister of Transport (“Minister”) for the Sept-Îles Port Authority (“Authority”) under the authority of the Canada Marine Act (“Act”), effective May 1, 1999;
WHEREAS Schedule C of the letters patent sets out the immovables, other than federal immovables, held or occupied by the Authority;
WHEREAS, pursuant to subsection 46(2.1) of the Act, the Authority wishes to acquire the immovables known and designated as being lots 2 828 807 and 2 828 809 of the cadastre of Quebec;
WHEREAS the board of directors of the Authority has requested that the Minister issue supplementary letters patent to set out the said immovables in Schedule C of the letters patent;
AND WHEREAS the Minister is satisfied that the amendment to the letters patent is consistent with the Act,
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to subsection 9(1) of the Act, the letters patent are amended as follows:
| Lot | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 828 807 | An immovable known and designated in the Land register of Quebec as being lot 2 828 807, containing an area of 697.7 m2. |
| 2 828 809 | An immovable known and designated in the Land register of Quebec as being lot 2 828 809, containing an area of 183.13 m2. |
2. These supplementary letters patent take effect on the date of registration of the title, in the Land register of Quebec, of each parcel of land subject to the transaction.
ISSUED this 15th day of April, 2024.
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Transport
GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA
Notice of intent to conduct impact assessments, including an initial environmental assessment and gender-based analysis plus, on a Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement
On December 15, 2023, the Government notified the House of Commons of its intent to initiate free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between Canada and Ecuador. The Government of Canada held public consultations from January 6 to February 21, 2023, to solicit the general views of Canadians on a Canada–Ecuador FTA. A summary of the feedback received was published on the Global Affairs website.
The government is furthermore seeking the views of Canadians on the potential impacts and opportunities of a Canada–Ecuador FTA with respect to the environment in order to inform an initial environmental assessment. The government will also examine gender and other diversity considerations through a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+).
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, Global Affairs Canada conducts environmental assessments (EAs) for all trade and investment negotiations using a process that requires interdepartmental coordination and public consultation. The objectives of the EA of a trade agreement are to
- assess the environmental risks and opportunities of a potential trade agreement in Canada and beyond; and
- assist Canadian negotiators to take into account environmental considerations during the negotiating process, with a view to mitigate risks and enhance benefits, and mainstream relevant environmental provisions across the agreement.
Canada is also committed to the promotion of inclusivity and gender equality in its FTAs, as underpinned by Canada’s inclusive approach to trade and the Export Diversification Strategy. The government works to ensure that all trade initiatives are informed by a GBA+, which is an analytical process to examine the effects of initiatives on diverse groups of people in Canada, taking into account gender and other identity factors such as age, education, language, religion, culture, ethnicity, geography, income, sexual orientation, ability, etc.
Public consultations are an important part of the process, as they help to inform the initial impact assessments of Canada–Ecuador FTA negotiations, and are used to assist Canadian negotiators in the negotiating process. Once negotiations are concluded and prior to the ratification of the agreement, a final economic impact assessment, final EA and final GBA+ will be undertaken to assess the potential impacts of the negotiated outcome on the environment, labour, gender and inclusivity.
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Indigenous peoples, industry stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and all interested Canadian citizens. Interested parties are invited to submit their views by June 26, 2024. Please be advised that any information received as a result of this consultation will be considered as public information, unless explicitly specified otherwise.
To help frame submissions, please consider the following questions:
- Do you see any potential environmental and gender- or inclusivity-related risks associated with a Canada–Ecuador FTA in Canada and beyond?
- Do you see any environmental and gender- or inclusivity-related opportunities that could result from a Canada–Ecuador FTA in Canada and beyond?
- What environmental and gender- or inclusivity-related considerations should Canadian negotiators take into account during the negotiating process, with a view to mitigate risks and enhance benefits?
Submissions should include the following information:
- (1) The contributor’s name and address and, if applicable, the name of the contributor’s organization, institution or business;
- (2) The specific questions being addressed and other related issues of concern; and
- (3) Where possible, precise information on the rationale for the positions taken, including any significant impact it may have on Canada’s domestic or international interests.
Contributions can be sent by email or mail to
Trade Negotiations — Trade Agreements and CUSMA Secretariat (TCT)
Global Affairs Canada
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 1J1
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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. |