Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 157, Number 6: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
February 11, 2023
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999
Guidance on Improving Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings
Pursuant to subsection 55(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Minister of Health hereby gives notice of the Guidance on Improving Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings. The document is available from February 11, 2023, to April 10, 2023, on Health Canada’s consultation webpage. Any person may, within 60 days after publication of this notice, file with the Minister of Health written comments on the guide. Comments should be sent by email to air@hc-sc.gc.ca.
February 11, 2023
Greg Carreau
Director General
Safe Environments Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of Health
ANNEX
The quality of the air in an office building is the result of the complex interactions between the ventilation system, the building (i.e. age, condition, component materials, structure, and envelope), the climate, the quality of the outdoor air, the furnishings and products present, the work processes, and the occupants and their activities. Some factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) may be related to building stewardship activities such as maintenance and housekeeping; inadequate ventilation system design or maintenance; or selection and use of equipment, furnishings, building materials, office supplies and cleaning chemicals.
This guide addresses issues relating to IAQ that are common in an office building setting, while promoting good prevention practices. It provides guidance to help manage and resolve IAQ issues promptly and encourages consistency and transparency throughout the IAQ assessment, investigation, and resolution process. Good operational practices can prevent many IAQ issues. However, if IAQ issues do arise, they can be addressed by implementing corrective actions after identifying the potential cause(s). This document also provides guidance for maintaining good IAQ once corrective actions have been taken.
This guide applies to any size office building in Canada. It applies to non-industrial and non-residential workplace settings and includes buildings with meeting rooms, lunchrooms, and small kitchens, and which have a limited number of hazardous products on site.
While this guide provides advice for employers and building operators to help resolve IAQ issues, there may be situations that will require the services of a person qualified in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) or in occupational hygiene.
Preventing IAQ issues before they arise and addressing issues as soon as they are identified is the best strategy for building operators and employers. Good practices to maintain IAQ include the following:
- Eliminate or reduce sources of contaminants. Sources of contamination may be present indoors (e.g. combustion, cleaning products, furnishings, moisture resulting in mould, or odours from occupants or activities) or outdoors near the air intake vent (e.g. smoking areas, vehicle idling).
- Maintain protocols to reduce viral and bacterial transmission between building occupants.
- Ensure effective ventilation system design and use. Ventilation can improve air quality by removing and diluting contaminants and replacing the indoor air with filtered and conditioned outdoor air. Verify ventilation rates and make sure these rates remain relevant with respect to any changes in occupant levels, renovations, redesigns, or how the space is utilized.
- Develop and implement a preventive ventilation system maintenance program. Maintain the ventilation system and replace filters on a set schedule to help reduce contaminants and maintain temperature and moisture levels.
- Install effective filtration units or filters as part of the ventilation system. Remove contaminants through appropriate air cleaners or filters. Select the correct filter efficiency for the contaminants present and the ventilation system.
- Use proactive housekeeping practices, including choosing cleaning products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and using a vacuuming system with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Control moisture and humidity levels and ensure early intervention if mould is suspected. Remediate flooding moisture and damage, clean mould appropriately, and prevent reoccurrence by determining the cause of the moisture and addressing the issue.
- Implement workplace procedures to consider IAQ issues throughout procurement and renovations. Assess the potential mismatch of the intended space and occupant activities. The initial design of the space may affect ventilation distribution and air exchanges.
- Conduct training and education for building operators, employers and occupants. Training should include how to identify a potential IAQ issue and how to report IAQ concerns.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999
Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality — Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances in Drinking Water
Pursuant to subsection 55(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Minister of Health hereby gives notice of a proposed Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality — Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances. The proposed objective technical document will be available from February 11, 2023, to April 12, 2023, on the Health Canada consultation webpage. Any person may, within 60 days after publication of this notice, file with the Minister of Health written comments on the proposed document. Comments must be sent by email at water-eau@hc-sc.gc.ca.
February 11, 2023
Greg Carreau
Director General
Safe Environments Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of Health
ANNEX
Proposed objective
To reduce exposure from drinking water, an objective of 30 ng/L is proposed for the sum of total per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detected in drinking water. Total PFAS should be calculated using the full list of substances in either United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Method 533 or U.S. EPA Method 537.1, or both, or another approved method (see full proposal). A jurisdiction could also validate and apply an alternate analytical method that quantifies a minimum of 18 PFAS. For the purposes of this proposed objective, a result of non-detect is considered to have a value of zero. It is recommended that treatment plants strive to maintain PFAS concentrations in drinking water as low as reasonably achievable.
Background
This proposed objective was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and is based on potential health concerns for the group of PFAS, as well as treatment and analytical considerations.
In 2018 and 2019, Health Canada established drinking water guidelines for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and screening values for nine other PFAS. These values applied to water intended for human consumption.
On April 24, 2021, the Government of Canada notified people living in Canada of its intent to move forward with activities that address PFAS as a class. In accordance with this strategy and considering new scientific evidence in the field of hazard and exposure assessment as well as in treatment and analytical technologies, a review of the existing PFAS drinking water guidelines and screening values is underway. Given the potential for exposure to multiple PFAS at the same time, the potential for negative health impacts, the uncertainty and the limited data on many PFAS, a precautionary group-based approach to PFAS is warranted.
To reduce potential exposure to PFAS through drinking water while the reassessment of the guidelines and screening values is being completed, an objective based on the sum of specific detected PFAS is proposed for Canadian drinking water. This proposed objective, when finalized, will replace the two existing drinking water guidelines and nine screening values derived for individual PFAS. This technical document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water.
Health considerations
Toxicological and epidemiological information is available for only a limited number of PFAS. Based on the available information, it is evident that exposure to certain PFAS has the potential to affect multiple systems and organs. Many of the effects seen in humans are supported by experimental studies in animal models. New information on well-studied PFAS shows effects at lower levels than previous studies. Canadians are exposed to multiple PFAS simultaneously as can be seen from biomonitoring data.
A traditional health-based approach was not adopted to derive the proposed objective in part due to the rapidly evolving science. The science is complex, there is currently no consensus regarding the most sensitive health effects, and approaches to hazard and risk assessment are varied.
Analytical and treatment considerations
The establishment of the proposed drinking water objective considers the ability to both measure the contaminant and remove it from drinking water supplies. Several analytical methods are available for measuring some PFAS in water at concentrations below the proposed objective.
At the municipal level, established treatment technologies that are available to effectively decrease PFAS concentrations in drinking water include granular activated carbon, anion exchange and reverse osmosis. These technologies are capable of achieving treated water concentrations below the proposed objective for individual PFAS. However, to achieve these concentrations, the treatment systems need to be configured and operated properly. Achieving such low concentrations may also lead to challenging operating conditions. Disposal of contaminated filtration media and concentrated residual water will also present challenges.
Residential-scale (i.e. private well) water treatment technologies
In cases where PFAS removal is desired at a small system or household level, for example, when the drinking water supply is from a private well, a residential drinking water treatment unit may be an option. Treatment devices can be certified to NSF Standard 53 (GAC) and NSF Standard 58 (RO) [NSF International, 2021a, b] for the reduction of “total PFAS” in drinking water for the following seven PFAS: PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFBS, PFHxS and PFOS. These revised criteria will be published in NSF Standard 53 and NSF Standard 58 in early 2023. The use of treatment devices certified to the revised criteria will help homeowners further reduce their exposure to PFAS from drinking water.
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
Order appointing directors to the Board of Directors of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents
The Minister of Industry, pursuant to subsection 13(3) of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Act footnote a, hereby appoints Iris Almeida-Côté and Amber Batool to be directors of the Board of Directors of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents, to hold office during good behaviour for a term beginning immediately and ending on the day that is three years after the day on which the 2022 annual general meeting was held, or at the conclusion of the 2025 annual general meeting, whichever occurs first.
Ottawa, January 23, 2023
François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Industry
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY
INVESTMENT CANADA ACT
Amounts for the year 2023
Limits for World Trade Organization investors
Pursuant to subsections 14.1(1) and (2) of the Investment Canada Act, I hereby determine that the amount for the year 2023, equal to or above which an investment is reviewable, is 1.287 billion dollars.
Limits for World Trade Organization investors that are state-owned enterprises
Pursuant to subsections 14.1(1.1) and (2) of the Investment Canada Act, I hereby determine that the amount for the year 2023, equal to or above which an investment is reviewable, is 512 million dollars.
Limits for trade agreement investors
Pursuant to subsections 14.11(1), (2) and (3) of the Investment Canada Act, I hereby determine that the amount for the year 2023, equal to or above which an investment is reviewable, is 1.931 billion dollars.
François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Industry
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
AERONAUTICS ACT
Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 76
Whereas the annexed Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 76 is required to deal with a significant risk, direct or indirect, to aviation safety or the safety of the public;
Whereas the provisions of the annexed Order may be contained in a regulation made under sections 4.71footnote b and 4.9footnote c, paragraphs 7.6(1)(a)footnote d and (b)footnote e and section 7.7footnote f of the Aeronautics Act footnote g;
And whereas, in accordance with subsection 6.41(1.2)footnote h of that Act, the Minister of Transport has consulted with the persons and organizations that the Minister considers appropriate in the circumstances before making the annexed Order;
Therefore, the Minister of Transport makes the annexed Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 76 under subsection 6.41(1)footnote g of the Aeronautics Act footnote f.
Ottawa, January 30, 2023
Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 76
Interpretation
Definitions
1 (1) The following definitions apply in this Interim Order.
- air carrier
- means any person who operates a commercial air service under Subpart 1, 3, 4 or 5 of Part VII of the Regulations. (transporteur aérien)
- COVID-19
- means the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. (COVID-19)
- COVID-19 antigen test
- means a COVID-19 screening or diagnostic immunoassay that
- (a) detects the presence of a viral antigen indicating the presence of COVID-19;
- (b) is authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained;
- (c) if the test is self-administered, is observed and produces a result that is verified
- (i) in person by an accredited laboratory or testing provider, or
- (ii) in real time by remote audiovisual means by the accredited laboratory or testing provider that provided the test; and
- (d) if the test is not self-administered, is performed by an accredited laboratory or testing provider. (test antigénique de la COVID-19)
- COVID-19 molecular test
- means a COVID-19 screening or diagnostic test, including a test performed using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), that
- (a) if the test is self-administered, is observed and produces a result that is verified
- (i) in person by an accredited laboratory or testing provider, or
- (ii) in real time by remote audiovisual means by the accredited laboratory or testing provider that provided the test; or
- (b) if the test is not self-administered, is performed by an accredited laboratory or testing provider. (test moléculaire de la COVID-19)
- (a) if the test is self-administered, is observed and produces a result that is verified
- COVID-19 test
- means either
- (a) a COVID-19 molecular test, or
- (b) a COVID-19 antigen test. (test relatif à la COVID-19)
- Regulations
- means the Canadian Aviation Regulations. (Règlement)
- testing provider
- means
- (a) a person who may provide COVID-19 screening or diagnostic testing services under the laws of the jurisdiction where the service is provided; or
- (b) an organization, such as a telehealth service provider or pharmacy, that may provide COVID-19 screening or diagnostic testing services under the laws of the jurisdiction where the service is provided and that employs or contracts with a person referred to in paragraph (a). (fournisseur de services de tests)
Interpretation
(2) Unless the context requires otherwise, all other words and expressions used in this Interim Order have the same meaning as in the Regulations.
Conflict
(3) In the event of a conflict between this Interim Order and the Regulations or the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012, the Interim Order prevails.
COVID-19 Tests
Application
2 This Interim Order applies to a private operator or air carrier operating a flight referred to in subsection 2(1) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order.
Prohibition
3 (1) A private operator or air carrier must not permit a person to board an aircraft for a flight that they operate if the person does not provide evidence that they received
- (a) a negative result for a COVID-19 test that was performed on a specimen collected no more than 2 days before the flight’s initial scheduled departure time; or
- (b) a positive result for a COVID-19 test that was performed on a specimen collected at least 10 days and no more than 90 days before the flight’s initial scheduled departure time.
Exception
(2) However, a person listed in any of paragraphs 2(2)(a) to (g) of the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order is not required to provide the evidence referred to in subsection (1).
Evidence of COVID-19 test
4 Evidence of a result for a COVID-19 test must include
- (a) the name and date of birth of the person from whom the specimen was collected for the test;
- (b) the name and civic address of the accredited laboratory or the testing provider that performed or observed the test and verified the result;
- (c) the date the specimen was collected and the test method used; and
- (d) the test result.
Designated Provision
Designation
5 (1) The provision of this Interim Order set out in column 1 of the schedule is designated as a provision the contravention of which may be dealt with under and in accordance with the procedure set out in sections 7.7 to 8.2 of the Act.
Maximum amounts
(2) The amounts set out in column 2 of the schedule are the maximum amounts of the penalty payable in respect of a contravention of the designated provision set out in column 1.
Notice
(3) A notice referred to in subsection 7.7(1) of the Act must be in writing and must specify
- (a) the particulars of the alleged contravention;
- (b) that the person on whom the notice is served or to whom it is sent has the option of paying the amount specified in the notice or filing with the Tribunal a request for a review of the alleged contravention or the amount of the penalty;
- (c) that payment of the amount specified in the notice will be accepted by the Minister in satisfaction of the amount of the penalty for the alleged contravention and that no further proceedings under Part I of the Act will be taken against the person on whom the notice in respect of that contravention is served or to whom it is sent;
- (d) that the person on whom the notice is served or to whom it is sent will be provided with an opportunity consistent with procedural fairness and natural justice to present evidence before the Tribunal and make representations in relation to the alleged contravention if the person files a request for a review with the Tribunal; and
- (e) that the person on whom the notice is served or to whom it is sent will be considered to have committed the contravention set out in the notice if they fail to pay the amount specified in the notice and fail to file a request for a review with the Tribunal within the prescribed period.
Repeal
6 The Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 75, made on January 17, 2023, is repealed.
SCHEDULE
(Subsections 5(1) and (2))
| Column 1 Designated Provision |
Column 2 Maximum Amount of Penalty ($) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Corporation | |
| Subsection 3(1) | 5,000 | 25,000 |
INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA
RADIOCOMMUNICATION ACT
Notice No. SMSE-003-23 — Release of RSS-132, issue 4, SRSP-503, issue 8, and Addendum to SRSP-502, issue 5
Notice is hereby given that Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has published the following documents:
- RSS-132, issue 4, Cellular Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz, sets out the certification requirements for cellular equipment operating in the bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz.
- SRSP-503, issue 8, Technical Requirements for Cellular Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz, states the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the frequency bands 824 MHz to 849 MHz and 869 MHz to 894 MHz for cellular telephones and their evolution for advanced services.
- Addendum to SRSP-502, issue 5, Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 806-821/851-866 MHz and 821-824/866-869 MHz, states the minimum technical requirements for the purpose of efficient spectrum utilization for land mobile and fixed point-to-point systems operating in bands 806-821/851-866 MHz and in the public safety bands 821-824/866-869 MHz.
These documents are now official and available on the Published documents page of the Spectrum management and telecommunications website.
Submitting comments
Comments and suggestions for improving these documents may be submitted online using the Standard Change Request form.
January 31, 2023
Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch
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 | Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada | |
| Director | Atomic Energy of Canada Limited | |
| Director | Bank of Canada | |
| Chairperson | Business Development Bank of Canada | |
| Director | Business Development Bank of Canada | |
| Director | Canada Council for the Arts | |
| Director | Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation | |
| Director | Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology | |
| President | Canada Lands Company Limited | |
| Director | Canada Post Corporation | |
| Director | Canada Revenue Agency | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Air Transport Security Authority | |
| Chief Executive Officer | Canadian Air Transport Security Authority | |
| Director | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | |
| Director | Canadian Commercial Corporation | |
| Member | Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board | |
| Director | Canadian Energy Regulator | |
| Chairperson | Canadian High Arctic Research Station | |
| Member | Canadian High Arctic Research Station | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Canadian High Arctic Research Station | |
| Chief Commissioner | Canadian Human Rights Commission | |
| Pay Equity Commissioner | Canadian Human Rights Commission | |
| Member | Canadian Human Rights Tribunal | |
| Member | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| President | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| Secretary | Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat | |
| Trustee | Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Museum of Nature | |
| Permanent Member | Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | |
| President | Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission | |
| Member | Canadian Statistics Advisory Council | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board | |
| Member | Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board | |
| Member | Canadian Transportation Agency | |
| Chairperson | Export Development Canada | |
| Director | Export Development Canada | |
| Director | First Nations Financial Management Board | |
| Deputy Administrator | Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods | |
| Member | Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada | |
| Commissioner | International Commission on the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas | |
| President | International Development Research Centre | |
| Commissioner | International Joint Commission | |
| Director | Invest in Canada Hub | |
| Commissioner | Law Commission of Canada | |
| President | Law Commission of Canada | |
| Chairperson | Military Grievances External Review Committee | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Military Grievances External Review Committee | |
| Chairperson | National Arts Centre Corporation | |
| Chairperson | National Capital Commission | |
| Member | National Capital Commission | |
| Member | National Farm Products Council | |
| Vice-Chairperson | National Farm Products Council | |
| Director | National Gallery of Canada | |
| Member | Net-Zero Advisory Body | |
| Canadian Representative | North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization | |
| Canadian Representative | North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission | |
| Public Sector Integrity Commissioner | Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner | |
| Member | Pacific Pilotage Authority | |
| Chairperson | Patented Medicine Prices Review Board | |
| Commissioner | Public Service Commission | |
| Chairperson | Royal Canadian Mounted Police Management Advisory Board | |
| Member | Royal Canadian Mounted Police Management Advisory Board | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Royal Canadian Mounted Police Management Advisory Board | |
| Principal | Royal Military College of Canada | |
| Deputy Administrator | Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund | |
| Executive Director | Telefilm Canada | |
| Chief Executive Officer | VIA Rail Canada Inc. | |
| Chief Executive Officer | Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority |