Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 28: GOVERNMENT NOTICES

July 13, 2024

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX)

Whereas the Minister of the Environment issues the environmental quality guidelines for the purpose of carrying out the Minister’s mandate related to preserving the quality of the environment;

Whereas the guidelines relate to the environment pursuant to paragraph 54(2)(a) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999;

And whereas the Minister of the Environment has consulted provincial and territorial governments and the members of the National Advisory Committee who are representatives of Indigenous governments in accordance with subsection 54(3) of the Act,

Notice is hereby given that the Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are available on the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website.

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Ministerial Condition No. 20113

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

Whereas the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) have assessed information pertaining to the substance 1,1′-(isopropylidene)bis[3,5-dibromo-4-(polysubstitutedmethylalkoxy)benzene], Confidential Substance Identity Number 19719-7;

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

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

Marc D’Iorio
Assistant Deputy Minister
Science and Technology Branch
On behalf of the Minister of the Environment

ANNEX

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

1. The following definitions apply in these ministerial conditions:

“consumer product”
means a consumer product to which the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act applies;
“engineered hazardous waste landfill facility”
means a facility that is part of an overall integrated hazardous waste management system where wastes that do not require additional treatment or processing are sent and where hazardous materials are confined or controlled for the duration of their effective contaminating lifespan;
“notifier”
means the person who has, on February 8, 2024, provided to the Minister of the Environment the prescribed information concerning the substance, in accordance with subsection 81(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act);
“substance”
means 1,1′-(isopropylidene)bis[3,5-dibromo-4-(polysubstitutedmethylalkoxy)benzene], Confidential Substance Identity Number 19719-7; and
“waste”
means the following:
  • (a) effluents that result from the manufacture of products with the substance;
  • (b) effluents that result from rinsing equipment or vessels used for transportation of the substance;
  • (c) disposable vessels used for the substance;
  • (d) spillage that contains the substance;
  • (e) process effluents that contain the substance; and
  • (f) any residual quantity of the substance in any equipment or vessel.

2. The notifier may manufacture or import the substance subject to the present ministerial conditions.

Restrictions

3. The notifier may only import the substance to use it as a flame retardant in the manufacture of expandable polystyrene.

4. The notifier may not import the substance to manufacture a consumer product with direct human contact or products in food grade applications.

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

6. At least 120 days prior to beginning manufacturing the substance or products containing the substance in Canada, the notifier shall inform the Minister of the Environment, in writing, and provide the following information:

Environmental release

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

Handling and disposal of the substance

8. The notifier or the person to whom the substance has been transferred must

Other requirements

9. The notifier shall, prior to transferring the physical possession or control of the substance, waste, containers or transportation vessels that contained the substance to any person,

Record-keeping requirements

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

(2) When the notifier learns of a change to the address referred to in paragraph (1)(c) or paragraph (1)(d), the notifier must update the electronic or paper records mentioned in subsection (1) accordingly within 30 days after learning of the change.

(3) The notifier shall create the electronic or paper records mentioned in subsection (1) no later than 30 days after the date the information or documents become available.

(4) The notifier shall maintain the electronic or paper records mentioned in subsection (1)

(5) Any records mentioned in subsection (1) that are kept electronically must be in an electronically readable format.

Coming into force

11. The present ministerial conditions come into force on July 2, 2024.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Publication of the Updated Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report (subsection 77(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)

Whereas an executive summary of the Updated Draft State of PFAS Report prepared on the class of PFASs pursuant to paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Act is annexed hereby;

Whereas PFASs, as defined in the Updated Draft State of PFAS Report, are compounds that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom (without any hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms bonded to it) and the class of PFASs is composed of substances meeting this definition;

Whereas fluoropolymers are defined in the Updated Draft State of PFAS Report as polymers made by polymerization or copolymerization of olefinic monomers (at least one of which contains fluorine bonded to one or both of the olefinic carbon atoms), which form a carbon-only polymer backbone with fluorine atoms directly bonded to it;

And whereas it is proposed to conclude that the class of PFASs, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in the Updated Draft State of PFAS Report, meets 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 the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers, be added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act.

Notice is furthermore given that the ministers have released a Revised Risk Management Scope document for these substances to continue 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. Comments received on the draft state of PFAS report published in May 2023 were addressed and a summary may be found on the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) web page. 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 reasons, 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

Jacinthe David
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
Executive summary of the Updated Draft State of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of thousands of human-made substances. These substances have a wide range of uses in products available to consumers, industrial applications, and other specialized applications. The widespread use of these substances and their extreme persistence in the environment, propensity for accumulation, and mobility has led to PFASs being commonly detected in the environment and humans. Despite data having largely been generated on a limited suite of well-studied PFASs, there is an increasing body of evidence that exposure to other PFAS can lead to adverse effects on the environment and human health. Cumulative effects from co-exposure to multiple PFASs may also occur.

This report provides a qualitative assessment of the fate, sources, occurrence, and potential impacts of PFASs on the environment and human health to inform decision-making on PFASs in Canada. The draft state of PFAS report was published in May 2023 for a 60-day public consultation. This draft report has been updated to reflect the large number of substantive comments received and information submitted during the consultation period or identified from other sources.

The common chemical characteristic of PFASs is their perfluoroalkyl moiety, which is extremely stable in the environment, to the extent that PFASs have often been termed “forever chemicals.” Simple PFASs are highly persistent, whereas more complex molecules transform into stable PFAS. In this report, PFAS refers to the broad chemical definition by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is “fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I atom attached to it), i.e. with a few noted exceptions, any chemical with at least a perfluorinated methyl group (–CF3) or a perfluorinated methylene group (–CF2–) is a PFAS.” The class of PFAS is comprised of substances meeting this definition. The definition captures substances with a wide range of structures and properties, from discrete chemicals such as perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorosulfonic acids, and fluorotelomer alcohols, to side-chain fluorinated polymers, perfluoropolyethers and fluoropolymers. Some PFASs on the market also possess structural attributes other than perfluoroalkyl chains (for example the inclusion of ether linkages or chlorine atoms in the fluorinated hydrocarbon chains).

The properties of PFASs (including their oil and water repellency, high chemical, physical and thermal resistance to degradation, and low surface tension) has led to their use in a wide range of products available to consumers and in industrial applications. Some typical uses of PFAS include surfactants, lubricants, and repellents (for dirt, water, and grease). PFAS can also be found in certain firefighting foams (for example aqueous film-forming foams [AFFF]), textiles (for example carpets, furniture, and clothing), cosmetics, and food packaging materials.

There are many potential sources of PFAS in Canada that can lead to human exposure and releases to the environment. Humans can be exposed to PFAS from various sources, such as food and food packaging, cosmetics, products available to consumers, ambient air, indoor air and dust, and drinking water. Furthermore, PFAS-impacted contaminated sites represent “hot spot” areas across Canada where Canadians and the environment may be exposed to elevated concentrations of PFAS. Such sites include those associated with the use of AFFF, typically released during activities associated with fighting fuel fires, including training activities and maintenance of firefighting equipment at airports and military facilities. As it is not possible to separate PFAS-containing waste from the general waste stream, PFAS-containing products can be found in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills or are destined for MSW incineration. Composting of PFAS-containing food packaging, releases into wastewater treatment systems, and the application of biosolids to land provide additional routes of entry for PFAS into the environment. It should be noted that PFAS contamination is present throughout Canada and is not limited to a few sources or areas.

Once PFASs are released into the environment, their physical and chemical properties influence their fate and behaviour. Neutral PFAS (for example fluorotelomer alcohols) may be more volatile and therefore more likely to be found in the atmosphere. Fluorotelomer alcohols as well as other polyfluoroalkyl substances and side-chain fluorinated polymers can undergo transformation to form other more stable PFASs that are extremely persistent in the environment under ambient conditions. Ionic PFAS (which are predominantly ionized at environmental pH) such as perfluorocarboxylic acids and perfluorosulfonic acids are water soluble and non-volatile, and thus partition predominantly to water where they can mobilize. Some shorter-chain PFASs, adopted in place of prohibited long-chain PFAS, have proven to be even more mobile on a local scale, potentially leading to transfer to food crops and drinking water. Some PFASs are also capable of undergoing long-range transport in the atmosphere (that is, for neutral, volatile PFAS) or in global ocean currents (that is, for ionic PFAS), as evidenced by their widespread distribution around the world, including in remote regions. Experience with contaminated sites management has also indicated that PFASs are very challenging to remove from contaminated environmental media, and it is not possible to remove them from the broader environment.

Globally, PFASs can be found in virtually all environmental compartments, including air, surface and groundwater, oceans and soils as well as in wastewater influent and effluent, landfill leachate, and sewage sludge. The highest reported concentrations are typically in proximity to known sources of release where PFASs may be released into the environment, such as contaminated sites where concentrations of PFASs are above guideline levels. PFASs are also routinely reported in locations far removed from these sources. Similarly, although the highest concentrations of PFAS in organisms have been noted in proximity to known releases, their ubiquitous presence has been noted in tissue samples collected from organisms worldwide. While the number of PFAS that have been examined in studies to date has been limited, studies have increasingly noted the frequent detection of a range of PFAS. Monitoring and research activities in Canada are being conducted to better understand trends in PFAS occurrence in Canadian ecosystems and wildlife. Thus far, these activities have confirmed the ubiquitous presence of PFASs throughout Canada.

Depending on the substance’s physical and chemical properties, certain PFASs have been found to bioaccumulate in biota. PFASs have also been reported to significantly biomagnify (that is to accumulate to increasingly higher levels up the food chain) in air-breathing organisms (for example, mammals, birds), which can increase the likelihood of adverse effects being observed. Ecotoxic effects such as immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity as well as effects on growth, reproduction, and development have been reported in the literature, although there are still significant data gaps for certain species, groups of PFAS, and types of effects studied.

Currently, only a small number of PFAS are monitored in human biomonitoring surveys. Certain PFAS have been found in the blood (plasma or serum) of the general population in Canada and internationally. PFAS can also be transferred through the placenta, and infants and children can be exposed to PFAS through ingestion of human milk. A number of subpopulations were identified as having potential for greater exposure to PFAS. Northern Indigenous communities (as measured in adults, including pregnant women) as well as Indigenous youth and children in other parts of Canada were found to have elevated levels of certain PFAS; however, other PFAS (for example perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]) have been noted to be lower. Firefighters internationally were also found to have elevated levels of certain PFAS. Canadian firefighters and people living in the vicinity of sites contaminated with PFAS (for example associated with the use of AFFFs) may also be disproportionately exposed to higher levels of PFAS, although specific Canadian biomonitoring information was not available for these subpopulations.

In humans, some well-studied PFAS can be readily absorbed in the body and bind to proteins in the blood. These PFAS can then be distributed through the bloodstream and accumulate in well perfused tissues (for example liver and kidneys). Some of the studied PFAS have been shown to be eliminated very slowly from the human body. Toxicological (in vitro and in vivo) and human epidemiological information is only available for a limited number of PFAS and recent information on well-studied PFAS, particularly PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), shows negative effects on human health at lower levels than reported in previous studies. Effects commonly reported in animal studies include effects on the liver, kidney, thyroid, immune system, nervous system, metabolism and body weight, and reproduction and development. Outcomes of human epidemiological studies involve similar organs, systems, and endpoints. Based on this information, it is evident that exposure to PFAS has the potential to cause effects to multiple organs and systems.

Although the vast majority of toxicology and epidemiology studies have focused on the effects from exposure to a single PFAS, biota and humans typically experience exposure to many PFAS at a given time, as can be seen from environmental sampling and biomonitoring data. A limited number of studies have evaluated the interactive effect of multiple PFAS on different endpoints; however, given the vast number and ubiquity of PFAS, it is reasonable to expect that cumulative effects may occur. The Government of Canada has been actively studying the ecological and human health effects associated with exposure to PFAS, including the use of new approach methods to characterize multiple PFAS in biological and environmental media at the same time. These studies confirm the environmental presence of PFAS mixtures that include many substances that are not targeted in typical monitoring and surveillance studies. In addition to specific initiatives, there are ongoing environmental and human monitoring and surveillance programs to address subpopulations that may be more susceptible or highly exposed, including pregnant people, children, Indigenous and northern communities in Canada, and firefighters.

Canada has acted to address certain PFAS for which early evidence had indicated potential concerns for the environment or human health. A limited number of PFAS are subject to risk management controls in Canada. The manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, and import of PFOS, PFOA, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), and their salts and precursors, and products that contain them, are prohibited under the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012, with a limited number of exemptions. Proposed regulations that would repeal and replace the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012, were also published in May 2022, which propose to further restrict these PFAS by removing or providing time limits for most remaining exemptions. Some PFAS notified under the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) have also been subject to prohibitions, ministerial conditions, and significant new activity provisions under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). It has been observed that shorter-chain PFAS have been used as substitutes for long-chain PFAS (carbon chain length of eight or more) following the implementation of regulatory restrictions on the latter.

Other domestic activities that target certain PFAS include developing water and soil guidelines for the protection of human health and the environment by the Government of Canada or through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), reducing risks from known federal contaminated sites through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, and reducing the anthropogenic release of chemicals of mutual concern into the Great Lakes under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Regulations for the import, export, and manufacture of certain ozone-depleting substances and concerning halocarbon alternatives are also set out under the Ozone-Depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations. In May 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) proposed an interim standard for PFAS in biosolids as part of the Government of Canada’s coordinated suite of risk mitigation measures intended to minimize human and environmental exposure to PFAS throughout the product’s life cycle from manufacture to disposal. The CFIA has been working with the provinces and will continue to engage with the provinces, municipalities, and the biosolids industry in implementing the interim standard.

The Government of Canada works with other governments internationally on initiatives that address PFAS, including through the OECD and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. For example, Canada has successfully nominated LC-PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds for addition to the Stockholm Convention.

The broad use of PFAS, their ability to move locally and over long ranges, and their consequent ubiquitous presence in the environment have resulted in continuous environmental and human exposure to multiple PFAS, with well-studied PFAS demonstrating the potential to affect multiple systems and organs in both humans and wildlife. Certain PFAS may bioaccumulate and biomagnify in food webs to an extent that can cause adverse effects in biota at low environmental concentrations; recent information on well-studied PFAS, particularly PFOA and PFOS, also shows negative human health effects at lower levels than indicated by previous studies. As a result of the extreme persistence of PFAS, their potential for bioaccumulation in organisms and biomagnification through the food chain, and the impossibility of their removal from the broader environment, presence in the environment and uptake by biota and humans will continue and potentially increase in the absence of intervention. The potential for cumulative exposure and effects are important considerations as most wildlife and human exposures involve an unknown mixture of PFAS.

There are uncertainties associated with understanding the characteristics of substances across the range of PFAS structures from toxicological, epidemiological and monitoring datasets that are focused on a limited number of PFAS. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that concerns identified for well-studied PFAS are more broadly applicable to other PFAS than previously believed. Similarly, while the specific hazards associated with mixtures of PFAS are largely unknown, there are many potential sources of PFAS that can lead to exposure and it is reasonable to expect that cumulative effects may occur from exposure to multiple PFAS.

To be protective of the environment and human health, and to apply precaution when addressing gaps in information, it is reasonable to anticipate that the concerns identified for PFAS that have been well studied may also be inherent in other substances in the class.

However, there is evidence to suggest that fluoropolymers may have significantly different exposure and hazard profiles when compared with other PFAS in the class. Fluoropolymers are defined as fluorinated polymers made by polymerization or copolymerization of olefinic monomers (at least one of which contains fluorine bonded to one or both of the olefinic carbon atoms) to form a carbon-only polymer backbone with fluorine atoms directly bonded to it. Given information suggesting their differences from the other PFAS in the class, additional work on fluoropolymers is warranted. PFAS meeting the definition of fluoropolymers are not addressed within this report and are planned for consideration in a separate assessment.

Proposed overall conclusion

Owing to the extreme persistence of PFAS and their potential to cause adverse effects, impacts on the environment are expected to increase if entry to the environment continues. On the basis of what is known about well-studied PFAS and the potential for other PFAS to behave similarly, and on the expectation that combined exposures to multiple PFAS increase the likelihood of detrimental impacts, it is proposed to conclude that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in this report, meets the criteria under paragraph 64(a) of CEPA as these substances are entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have immediate or long-term harmful effects on the environment or its biological diversity. However, it is proposed to conclude that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in this report, does not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(b) of CEPA as these substances are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends.

Owing to the widespread use of PFAS combined with their ubiquitous presence in the environment, humans are continuously exposed to multiple PFAS, which have the potential to cause adverse effects of concern. On the basis of what is known about well-studied PFAS and the potential for other PFAS to behave similarly, and on the expectation that combined exposures to multiple PFAS increase the likelihood of detrimental impacts, it is proposed to conclude that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in this report, meets the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA as these substances are entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.

Therefore, it is proposed to conclude that the class of PFAS, excluding fluoropolymers as defined in this report, meets one or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA.

Well-studied PFAS meet the persistence criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA. Based on available information and structural similarities, it is expected that other substances within the class of PFAS are also highly persistent or transform to persistent PFAS. It is therefore proposed that the class of PFAS meets the persistence criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA. There is a high concern identified for the biomagnification (BMF) and trophic magnification (TMF) potential of well-studied PFAS in air-breathing organisms; however, the numeric criteria for bioaccumulation, outlined in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations, are based on bioaccumulation data for freshwater aquatic species which do not account for biomagnification potential. Therefore, application of the criteria would not reflect the concern for dietary-based biomagnification, the primary route of food web exposure identified for well-studied PFAS. It is therefore proposed that the bioaccumulation potential of PFAS cannot reasonably be determined according to the regulatory criteria set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA.

The Updated Draft State of PFAS Report and revised risk management scope document are available on the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

CANADA SHIPPING ACT, 2001

Interim Order Prohibiting the Carrying of Certain Oils on Board Vessels in Arctic Waters

Whereas the Minister of Transport believes that the annexed Interim Order Prohibiting the Carrying of Certain Oils on Board Vessels in Arctic Waters 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)(d)footnote a and 190(1)(c) of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 footnote b;

Therefore, the Minister of Transport makes the annexed Interim Order Prohibiting the Carrying of Certain Oils on Board Vessels in Arctic Waters under subsection 10.1(1)footnote b of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 footnote b.

Ottawa, June 27, 2024

Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport

Interim Order Prohibiting the Carrying of Certain Oils on Board Vessels in Arctic Waters

Interpretation

1 Unless the context requires otherwise, words and expressions used in this Interim Order have the same meaning as in the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations.

Application

2 (1) This Interim Order applies in respect of Canadian vessels in Arctic waters, as defined in regulation 46.2 of Annex I to MARPOL, and in respect of foreign vessels in waters under Canadian jurisdiction within those Arctic waters.

Non-application

(2) This Interim Order does not apply in respect of the following vessels:

Prohibition

3 (1) It is prohibited for a vessel to carry on board an oil that is listed in regulation 43.1.2 of Annex I to MARPOL and for its authorized representative to permit such an oil to be carried on board.

Exception – emergencies

(2) Despite subsection (1), oil may be carried on board a vessel if the vessel is engaged in saving lives, securing the safety of another vessel or preventing the immediate loss of another vessel.

Exceptions – cargo and previous voyage

(3) Despite subsection (1), oil may be carried on board a vessel in the following circumstances:

Coming into force

4 This Interim Order comes into force on July 1, 2024, but if it is made after that day, it comes into force on the day on which it is made.

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  
Chairperson Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation  
Chairperson Canada Infrastructure Bank  
Director Canada Lands Company Limited  
Director Canadian Air Transport Security Authority  
Director Canadian Commercial Corporation  
Member Canadian Institutes of Health Research  
President Canadian Institutes of Health Research  
Director Canadian Race Relations Foundation  
Director Canadian Tourism Commission  
Chairperson Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police  
Vice-Chairperson Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police  
Member Copyright Board  
Director Defence Construction (1951) Limited  
Executive Head Employment Insurance Board of Appeal  
Member Employment Insurance Board of Appeal September 19, 2024
Regional Coordinator Employment Insurance Board of Appeal September 19, 2024
President Export Development Canada  
Vice-Chairperson Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board  
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  
Chairperson Laurentian Pilotage Authority  
Chairperson National Advisory Council on Poverty  
Member (Children’s Issues) National Advisory Council on Poverty  
Member National Arts Centre Corporation  
Chairperson National Seniors Council  
Member National Seniors Council  
Member Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council  
Member Net-Zero Advisory Body  
Canadian Representative North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization  
Senate Ethics Officer Office of the Senate Ethics Officer  
Member Parole Board of Canada August 9, 2024
Administrator Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund and Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods  
Chief Statistician Statistics Canada  
Chairperson VIA Rail Canada Inc.