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Forward Regulatory Plan 2024-2026: Global Affairs Canada

Table of contents

Order Amending the Export Control List

Enabling Act

Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA)

Description

Global Affairs Canada no longer requires permits for the export of goods listed under items 5102 (Pulpwood) and 5103 (Red Cedar) of the Export Control List (the List). Given that these provisions are no longer enforced, the amendment aims to remove the two items from the List. 

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations do not alter administrative costs or burden to businesses, nor do they create new regulatory requirements.

Consultations

NIL

Further information

NIL

Departmental contact information

Edurne Egana
Senior Trade Policy Officer
Softwood Lumber
613-614-4139
Edurne.Egana@international.gc.ca 

Regulations Amending and Repealing Certain Regulations Made Under the United Nations Act (Miscellaneous Program)

Enabling Act

United Nations Act (UNA)

Description

Canada's United Nations Act (UNA) enables the Canadian government to give effect to decisions passed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). If the UNSC determines that an act of aggression or a breach of peace has occurred, it may decide what measures member states shall take to restore or maintain international peace and security. These measures are generally economic and trade sanctions. Such a decision imposes a legal obligation on Canada as a UN member to introduce the required measures into domestic law. This is done by enacting regulations under the United Nations Act.

The objective of this initiative is to both implement the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations’ as well as the Department of Justice’s recommendations, and to lift Canada’s United Nations Act sanctions regime on Mali following the UNSC’s vote against the extension of the mandate of the 2374 Committee and the Panel of Experts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

NIL

Consultations

NIL

Further information

NIL

Departmental contact information

Anika Gagnon Knackstedt
Desk Officer (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sahel)
West and Central Africa Bilateral Relations Division
343-551-9571
Anika.GagnonKnackstedt@international.gc.ca 

Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (Ottawa 2024 – INC-4) Privileges and Immunity Order

Enabling Act

Foreign Missions and International Organization Act (FMIOA)

Description

Canada is to host the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) on Plastic pollution in Ottawa from April 23 to 29, 2024.

An order for the event is required to provide both the necessary privileges and immunities as well as incorporate by reference the Host Country Agreement between Canada and the United Nations in relation to INC-4.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

NIL

Consultations

NIL

Further information

NIL

Departmental contact information

James Johnson
Senior Legal Officer
Criminal, Security and Diplomatic Law
613-415-8212
James.Johnson@international.gc.ca 

Bank for International Settlements (“BIS”) Privileges and Immunities Order

Enabling Act

Foreign Missions and International Organization Act (FMIOA)

Description

The Bank for International Settlements (“BIS”) plans on opening an Innovation Hub in Toronto after the city won a bid in 2020, which was supported by the Minister of Finance. The Innovation Hub will require a Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act (FMIOA) Order providing privileges and immunities for its employees, who will receive quasi-diplomatic status.

Toronto’s Innovation Hub will examine new and innovative ways of addressing green finance, digital currencies and other innovations in financial services. One of its expected focus areas will be improving cyber security of financial market infrastructure to resist quantum computer attacks. Another will be developing standards for green finance, to support the transition to a more sustainable global economy. In so doing, it will promote Canada’s reputation as a leader in FinTech.

There are currently Innovation Hubs in Hong Kong, London, Stockholm, Singapore and Switzerland.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The Innovation Hub will support the Government of Canada’s priority to strengthen the digital economy by disseminating research and developing technologies that can benefit the financial system. It will generate partnerships with Canada’s FinTech community. 

Consultations

NIL

Further information

NIL

Departmental contact information

James Johnson
Senior Legal Officer
Criminal, Security and Diplomatic Law
613-415-8212
James.Johnson@international.gc.ca 

Order Amending the Import Control List (ICL)

Enabling Act

Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA)

Description

This amendment adds a new category of prohibited firearms to Item 91(1) of the Import Control List (ICL) to mirror a new technical category of prohibited firearms in the Criminal Code, as amended by former Bill C-21.

This amendment to the ICL provides the government with the appropriate tool to address imports of this new category of prohibited firearms at the border. This new definition is prospective in nature and will capture firearms that are not handguns, that discharge center-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner, were originally designed with a detachable cartridge magazine with a capacity of six cartridges or more, and designed and manufactured on or after December 15, 2023.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

As a result of this amendment to the ICL, only businesses that possess a valid prohibited firearms license for the legitimate uses outlined by the Firearms Act (e.g., businesses that import on behalf of police and military, licensed businesses, law enforcement, etc.) would be able to import these types of firearms as new versions are introduced, subject to the Firearms Act licensing conditions.

It is anticipated that the number of applicants seeking import permits for these firearms will be very low, and so the costs resulting from this amendment are expected to be minimal.

Consultations

Given that this coordinating amendment stems directly from a legislative provision under a recent amendment to the Criminal Code that was consulted and debated in Parliament, neither pre-publication nor further consultations will be undertaken. Moving directly to final publication allows for timelier implementation of this coordinating amendment. 

Further information

NIL

Departmental contact information

Jason Mounzer
Policy Analyst
Export Controls Policy Division
343- 203-5410
Jason.Mounzer@international.gc.ca 

NATO and North American Regional Office of the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Rights, Privileges and Immunities Order

Enabling Act

Privileges and Immunities (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) Act.

Description

This proposal aims to grant privileges and immunities in preparation for the creation of the North American Regional Office in Canada.

DIANA is a NATO body working with leading researchers and entrepreneurs across the NATO Alliance, helping them develop technologies to keep NATO populations safe and secure. With dozens of accelerator sites and test centers across the Alliance, including regional offices in Europe and North America, DIANA brings together universities, industry and governments to work with start-ups and other innovators to solve critical defense and security challenges.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

NIL

Consultations

Consultations took place in fall 2023 and into winter 2024. 

Further information

NIL

Departmental contact information

Dean Wythe
Senior Policy Advisor
Security and Defense Relations division
613-796-0556
Dean.Wythe@international.gc.ca 

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