Trailer GHG Rules Suspended; China Testing Repealed

Summary#

• The government approved an order that extends the suspension of trailer greenhouse‑gas rules in Canada for up to one year to keep Canada aligned with the United States. The suspension was made by the minister on March 13, 2023 and approved by the Governor in Council on March 27, 2023.
• The government also repealed the travel rule that required most air travellers from China, Hong Kong and Macao to show a COVID‑19 test before boarding. That repeal came into force at 00:01:00 Eastern Daylight Time on March 17, 2023.

What it does#

• Trailer greenhouse‑gas rules
  • Approves the fifth interim order titled Interim Order Modifying the Operation of the Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations (Trailer Standards).
  • This continues to suspend the trailer standards in the Heavy‑duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations for up to one year so Canada stays aligned with U.S. practice.
  • The suspension was done under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
  • Environment officials estimate the extra one‑year delay would cut expected lifetime GHG reductions by about 0.4 megatonnes (Mt) CO2e for model year 2024, and by about 2 Mt CO2e for model years 2020 to 2024 combined.
• Repeal of China travel testing
  • The order titled Order Repealing the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order removes the requirement that most air travellers aged two and older on flights originating from China, Hong Kong or Macao show a pre‑departure COVID‑19 test to their airline.
  • The Government cited improving data from China, international partners removing similar measures, and fairly high immunity levels in Canada as reasons for the change.

Who's affected#

• Trailer rules
  • Trailer manufacturers in Canada, especially those in Quebec, Ontario and the Prairies. Many are small businesses that said they could be at a competitive disadvantage if Canada alone enforced the trailer rules.
  • Trucking companies and companies that import or sell new heavy‑duty vehicles and trailers in Canada.
  • The change is meant to keep Canada aligned with the United States; U.S. regulatory action (or court decisions) drives the timing.
• Travel testing repeal
  • Air travellers arriving on flights originating from China, Hong Kong and Macao (most travellers aged two and older no longer need to show a pre‑departure test).
  • Airlines and border agencies that had been checking test documents.
  • The wider public, indirectly, because border measures affect travel flow and public‑health monitoring.

Why it matters#

• Trailer rules
  • Extending the suspension protects smaller Canadian trailer makers from potentially higher costs and competitive pressure if only Canada enforced the trailer standards while the U.S. did not.
  • It also delays the fuel‑saving technologies tied to the standards, reducing near‑term GHG emissions reductions by the figures given above.
  • The step reflects how integrated the North American vehicle market is: Canada is waiting for clarity from U.S. regulators and courts before moving ahead.
• Travel testing repeal
  • The repeal reduces friction for travellers and airlines on routes from China, Hong Kong and Macao. That can ease travel and commerce.
  • The government says the change is based on improved data on COVID‑19 from China, similar moves by other countries, and high vaccination and prior‑infection levels in Canada.