Conditions for quaternary ammonium antistatic agent

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice records three government actions. It allows the limited manufacture or import of a specific quaternary ammonium chemical under strict conditions, sets a basic assessment rate for registered pension plans, and advertises a large group of federal appointment opportunities.

What it does#

• Environment notice:
  • Ministerial Condition No. 21877 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 allows the manufacture or import of quaternary ammonium compounds, plant based alkylethylbis(hydroxyethyl), Et sulfates (salts) (Confidential Accession Number 19740‑8) — but only under the detailed conditions in the annex.
  • Key conditions include limiting use to an antistatic agent for fibreglass and plastics, transferring the chemical only to people who agree to those limits, and specific disposal rules (incineration or deposit in an engineered hazardous waste landfill).
  • The notifier must keep detailed records for at least five years, tell the minister about planned Canadian manufacturing at least 120 days before it begins, and must act immediately to stop and report any release to the environment.
  • These ministerial conditions came into force on September 13, 2024.
• Pension-plan assessment rate:
  • The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions set the basic rate under the Assessment of Pension Plans Regulations at $12.00 for the office year beginning April 1, 2025. This rate applies to plans registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act.
• Appointments:
  • The Privy Council Office published a broad call for applications for many Governor in Council appointments across federal boards and agencies. Some positions list closing dates such as October 24, 2024.

Who's affected#

• The company or person who notified the government (the “notifier”) — and anyone they sell or transfer the substance to — are directly bound by the ministerial conditions. The notice does not name the notifier publicly; the source says they provided information on May 21, 2024.
• Manufacturers, importers, and downstream users of antistatic agents for fibreglass and plastics may be affected if they handle this specific chemical.
• Waste handlers, incinerators and engineered hazardous waste landfill operators who may accept containers or wastes from this substance.
• Employers and administrators of pension plans registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act, because the $12.00 basic rate will be used for OSFI assessments.
• Canadians interested in federal leadership roles — particularly those watching for Governor in Council appointment opportunities advertised by the Privy Council Office.

Why it matters#

• For local communities and workers: the ministerial conditions try to limit how the chemical can be used, stored and disposed of, and require quick action and reporting if it is accidentally released. That matters for local environmental and workplace safety.
• For companies handling the substance: the rules add record-keeping, transfer and disposal obligations that can affect operations and costs.
• For pension plans and employers: the $12.00 basic rate affects how much registered pension plans will be assessed by OSFI for that office year.
• For the public: the appointments notice signals many upcoming leadership changes across federal boards and agencies and is a chance for Canadians to apply.