Microorganism rules, dimethoate guideline, travel and whale orders

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice (Part I, published June 19, 2021) contains a batch of government public notices. Key items include proposed changes to rules about certain microorganisms under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, a proposed drinking‑water guideline from Health Canada for the pesticide dimethoate (and its breakdown product omethoate), new interim travel rules for air travel from Transport Canada related to COVID‑19, and an interim shipping order to protect Southern Resident killer whales in southern British Columbia.

What it does#

• Environment notices
  • Proposes to vary the Significant New Activity (SNAc) requirements for three microorganisms and to rescind SNAc requirements for six others under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Domestic Substances List.
  • Requires anyone planning a “significant new activity” with the affected microbes to submit detailed information at least 120 days before starting that activity.
  • Opens a public comment period of 60 days on the proposals.
• Drinking-water guideline (Health)
  • Publishes a proposed guideline for dimethoate and omethoate with a proposed maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of 0.02 mg/L (that is, 20 μg/L).
  • Advises that dimethoate can break down to omethoate, so the two should be considered together (an additive approach).
  • Technical document available for comment from June 19, 2021 to August 18, 2021; comments accepted for 60 days.
• Aviation interim order (Transport)
  • Issues Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 30 with new pre‑boarding and onboard rules, including:
    • Mandatory pre‑flight health confirmations and checks.
    • Requirement to show a COVID‑19 molecular test result taken within 72 hours (or a prior positive between 14 and 90 days as specified) for many flights to Canada.
    • Mandatory temperature screening and face‑mask requirements on many flights and in many airport restricted areas.
    • Record‑keeping and training requirements for carriers and screening authorities.
    • Designation of many provisions with penalties (examples of maximum penalties: $5,000 for individuals and $25,000 for corporations for several contraventions).
• Killer whale protection (Shipping)
  • Issues Interim Order for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2021:
    • Prohibits vessels or people operating vessels from approaching within 400 m of killer whales in specified waters (approach ban began June 1, 2021).
    • Declares temporary sanctuary zones where navigation by vessels is restricted from June 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021.
    • Allows limited, minister‑authorized approaches for whale‑watching or monitoring (between 200 m and 400 m) under strict conditions and reporting.
• Other notices
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published new radio standard specifications (RSS) updates for maritime and emergency radio equipment.
  • Health Canada posted decisions under the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act and other routine notices (appointments, Supreme Court session dates).

Who's affected#

• Businesses and researchers that import, manufacture, use or plan new uses of the specific microorganisms named in the SNAc notices (they may need to file notifications and wait 120 days for assessment).
• Water system operators, private well owners and public‑health officials — because of the proposed dimethoate/omethoate MAC and monitoring/treatment guidance.
• Air travellers, especially those flying to Canada, and air carriers and private operators — because of testing, health checks, mask and temperature‑screening rules in the interim aviation order.
• Airports, screening authorities and crew at the listed aerodromes who must follow the new screening, training and record‑keeping rules.
• Commercial whale‑watching operators, recreational boaters, mariners and communities in coastal southern British Columbia — because of the 400 m approach ban and temporary sanctuary zones (in force June 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021).
• Manufacturers and users of radio and emergency signalling equipment (due to the RSS updates).
• Parties interested in departmental appointments, HMIRA decisions, or Supreme Court scheduling (routine public information).

Why it matters#

• Public health: The proposed drinking‑water guideline gives a clear benchmark (0.02 mg/L) for dimethoate and flags the need to watch for its more toxic breakdown product, omethoate.
• Safety and travel: The aviation interim order adds screening, testing and mask rules designed to reduce COVID‑19 risks on flights and at airports; that affects when and how people can travel.
• Environment and species protection: The killer‑whale interim shipping order aims to reduce disturbance to a vulnerable whale population by keeping vessels farther away and by setting temporary no‑navigation zones.
• Business and research planning: Companies and researchers working with the listed microorganisms will face notification and data requirements before they can start new activities. Public consultation windows (typically 60 days) give stakeholders a chance to comment before the rules are finalized.
• Regulatory updates: The notice contains several technical and routine regulatory changes (radio standards, HMIRA decisions, appointment calls) that may matter to specialized industries and stakeholders.