Offshore Call for Bids and Charity Revocations

Summary#

This Canada Gazette (Part I, Vol. 156, No. 41) published on October 8, 2022 lists several routine government notices. It includes proposed revocations of some charities’ registrations, a major offshore oil-and-gas Call for Bids by the Canada‑Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB), a trade tribunal hearing schedule, CRTC application notices, and two public servants given permission to run in municipal elections.

What it does#

• Canada Revenue Agency: Announces proposed revocation of registration for several charities under the Income Tax Act. The revocation is shown as effective on the date of publication. Affected charities named include:

  • FONDATION AUBE NOUVELLE (Saint‑Victor, QC)
  • VISION INSTITUTE OF CANADA (North York, ON)
  • LE BALLET CLASSIQUE DU QUÉBEC / THE QUÉBEC CLASSIC BALLET (Québec, QC)
  • ÉCOLE DE BALLET DU QUÉBEC / THE QUÉBEC BALLET SCHOOL (Québec, QC)
  • SOCIÉTÉ DE BALLET DU QUÉBEC / QUEBEC BALLET SOCIETY (Québec, QC)
  • THE CATHOLIC SETTLEMENT HOUSE DAY NURSERY (Toronto, ON)

• Canada‑Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB): Issues Call for Bids No. NS22-1 for 8 offshore Exploration Licences. Key points:

  • Bid deadline: September 19, 2023 (before 4 p.m. Atlantic Time).
  • Minimum acceptable Work Expenditure Bid: $1,000,000.00.
  • Each bid must include a Bid Deposit of $10,000.00.
  • Successful bidders must post security equal to 25% of their Work Expenditure Bid and post that Work Deposit within 30 days of notification.
  • Public comments on the parcels are accepted within 60 days after the Call for Bids announcement.
  • Bidders must meet environmental and benefits-plan requirements and pay applicable Environmental Studies Research Fund levies.
  • The Call lists the eight offshore parcels and points to the CNSOPB website for full maps and licence forms.

• Canadian International Trade Tribunal: Schedules a public hearing on November 8, 2022 for appeal AP‑2021‑007: FXR Factory Racing Inc. vs. President of the Canada Border Services Agency over tariff classification of two helmet models.

• Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): Posts several application notices, decisions and consultation deadlines. Examples of deadlines listed:

  • Interventions/comments due October 24, 2022 for a CBC application.
  • Interventions/comments due October 27, 2022 for a CKRK‑FM application.
  • A Notice of Consultation with a filing deadline of October 28, 2022.

• Public Service Commission: Grants permission to two public servants to seek municipal office:

  • Jonathan Mark Morley permission to run in the Langford, BC municipal election on October 15, 2022.
  • Carlene Strand permission to run in the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, MB municipal election on October 26, 2022.

Who's affected#

• The named charities — donors and clients of those groups may be directly affected if registrations are revoked.
• Oil and gas companies, service contractors, and potential bidders interested in Nova Scotia offshore exploration.
• Fisheries, coastal communities, environmental groups and others with interests in offshore Newfoundland/Nova Scotia waters who may want to comment on the parcels.
• Importers, sellers and users of the helmet models in the tribunal appeal, and parties tracking tariff classification decisions.
• Broadcasters, community radio groups and other stakeholders who follow CRTC licensing and consultation timelines.
• The two named public servants and their local municipal electorates.

Why it matters#

• Losing registered charity status can affect a charity’s ability to issue official donation receipts, and may change its tax treatment and fundraising capacity.
• The CNSOPB Call for Bids opens a chance for companies to win rights to explore large offshore areas. That can lead to economic activity and jobs, but also raises environmental and community concerns. The Call sets the financial and environmental rules bidders must meet.
• The trade tribunal decision could change how certain helmets are classified for customs and therefore affect duties or regulatory treatment for importers and retailers.
• CRTC notices can change who is allowed to broadcast locally and may affect what radio services are available in particular communities.
• Permissions from the Public Service Commission allow the named public servants to participate in municipal democracy while maintaining required accountability.