Vol. 151, No. 9 — May 3, 2017

Registration
SOR/2017-73 April 24, 2017

VISITING FORCES ACT

Proclamation Designating the Republic of Montenegro as a Designated State for the Purposes of the Act

David Johnston

[L.S.]

Canada

Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

William Pentney
Deputy Attorney General

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

A Proclamation

Whereas section 4 of the Visiting Forces Act, chapter V-2 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, provides that the Governor in Council may, by proclamation, designate any country as a designated state for the purposes of that Act, declare the extent to which that Act is applicable in respect of any designated state and designate civilian personnel as a civilian component of a visiting force;

Now Know You that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, pursuant to Order in Council P.C. 2017-260 of March 24, 2017, do by this Our Proclamation

Of all which Our Loving Subjects and all others whom these presents may concern are required to take notice and to govern themselves accordingly.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused this Our Proclamation to be published and the Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to it.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved David Johnston, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this eleventh day of April in the year of Our Lord two thousand and seventeen and in the sixty-sixth year of Our Reign.

By command,

John Knubley
Deputy Registrar General of Canada

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Proclamation.)

Issues

In order to welcome the Republic of Montenegro (“Montenegro” hereafter) as a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally at the spring 2017 NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium, Canada must complete national ratification processes in advance of the Summit. Ratification cannot proceed without designating Montenegro under the Visiting Forces Act (VFA), in order to comply with the provisions of the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces (NATO SOFA).

Background

At the May 2016 meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, Canada and its fellow NATO allies signed the Protocol of Accession of the Republic of Montenegro. The Protocol of Accession to NATO of the Republic of Montenegro will enter into effect once all 28 NATO member states have ratified the Protocol and Montenegro has completed its national ratification processes.

Objectives

In order to enable the ratification of the Protocol on Montenegro’s accession to NATO, it is required that Canadian legislation be compliant with the NATO SOFA. Therefore, it is essential to designate Montenegro under the VFA prior to the ratification taking place. Under the VFA, the designation is done by proclamation of the Governor in Council.

Description

The VFA establishes the legal status of visiting military personnel from designated states, together with specified civilian components of those forces. The VFA governs such matters as the disciplinary jurisdiction of the visiting forces, claims for personal injuries and property damage, security of information and taxation. The VFA, with the exception of Part VI (Attachments to and from the Canadian Forces), will apply with respect to members of Montenegro’s visiting forces.

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply, as there is no new administrative burden as a result of the Proclamation.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply, as there are no impacts on small businesses.

Consultation

Consultations were held between federal departments (Department of National Defence and Global Affairs Canada) and representatives for NATO. Consultations were supportive of Montenegro’s accession to NATO.

Rationale

In order to enable the ratification of the Protocol on Montenegro’s accession to NATO, it is required that Canadian legislation be compliant with the NATO SOFA. An order in council is therefore required to direct that a proclamation designate Montenegro for the purposes of the VFA, which establishes the legal status of visiting members and civilian components of the force of the designated state while in Canada.

The ratification of the Protocol builds on the Government of Canada’s decision to sign the Protocol at the May 2016 meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the ratification demonstrates Canada’s strong commitment to NATO, a priority in the Minister of National Defence mandate letter. The extension of NATO membership has historically contributed to greater stability and improved governance in Europe.

Implementation, enforcement and service standards

The Proclamation will ensure that Canada has met its domestic responsibilities to allow for the ratification of Montenegro’s accession to NATO to proceed at the spring 2017 NATO Summit in Brussels.

Contact

Paul Leblanc
Acting Team Leader
Director Corporate Submissions and Financial Arrangements
Telephone: 613-947-6356