Air travel testing, masks, ArriveCAN rules

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue (Part I, published August 13, 2022) collects several government notices. Key items include a snapshot of the Bank of Canada balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, a ministerial condition allowing a specific engineered substance to be used only in single‑use medical personal protective equipment, and Transport’s Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 69, which sets testing, mask and boarding rules for flights to Canada.

What it does#

• Bank of Canada: Publishes an unaudited statement of financial position showing total assets and liabilities of $455,875 million, investments of $422,945 million, bank notes in circulation of $116,637 million, deposits of $299,446 million, and total equity of $965 million (declared July 28, 2022).
• Department of the Environment / Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 — Ministerial Condition No. 21193:
  • Permits manufacture or import of the substance called “carbopolycycle, acid‑treated, oxidized, silver‑doped” only for use in disposable or single‑use medical personal protective equipment that is a medical device.
  • Prohibits release of the substance or related waste to the environment. Waste must be either incinerated under applicable law or placed in an “engineered hazardous waste landfill facility.”
  • Requires written transfer notices, record‑keeping of quantities, transfers and disposals for at least 5 years.
  • Came into force July 21, 2022.
• Transport — Interim Order No. 69 (made August 3, 2022):
  • Requires airlines and private operators to notify passengers about ArriveCAN requirements and, when asked, verify ArriveCAN receipts before boarding.
  • Sets pre‑departure testing rules for flights to Canada: a negative COVID‑19 molecular test taken within 72 hours of scheduled departure, or a negative antigen test taken within 1 day of departure; a prior positive molecular test can be accepted if collected between 10 days and 180 days before departure.
  • Requires masks for most people during boarding, in flight, during deplaning and in customs areas, with exceptions (young children, certain medical reasons, safety, etc.).
  • Prohibits carriers from letting most foreign nationals board flights to Canada unless they are permitted entry under relevant quarantine orders.
  • Requires record‑keeping and prompt reporting to the Minister or Public Health Agency when required. Many contraventions carry penalties up to $5,000 for individuals and $25,000 for corporations.
  • Repeals Interim Order No. 68 (the previous order from July 21, 2022).
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED):
  • Publishes a decision on amendments to CPC‑2‑0‑03 — Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems to update consultation and language requirements.
  • Announces an upcoming auction of residual spectrum licences and details on auction rules, pro‑competitive measures and deadlines (questions and clarification allowed until dates listed in the auction notice).
• Privy Council Office:
  • Lists open Governor‑in‑Council appointment competitions for many federal boards and agencies (e.g., Bank of Canada director, Canadian Radio‑television and Telecommunications Commission positions, museum chairs, regulators and others).

Who's affected#

• Travelers and airlines: passengers on flights to Canada, air carriers, private operators, screening authorities, gate agents, crew members, and airports will see the testing, ArriveCAN verification and mask requirements in force.
• Foreign nationals hoping to board flights to Canada: most are barred from boarding unless specifically permitted under quarantine rules.
• Manufacturers and importers of medical personal protective equipment and the specific substance named: the notifier and any parties handling that substance must follow strict limits on use, handling and disposal.
• Waste handlers and hazardous landfill/incineration operators: may be involved in permitted disposal methods for the substance’s waste.
• Telecommunications industry and spectrum bidders: companies interested in antenna rules or spectrum licences will want to read the ISED notices.
• Citizens interested in public appointments: people who might apply for Governor‑in‑Council roles listed by the Privy Council Office.
• General public and public‑health authorities: because the Interim Order affects how people travel and how carriers must report and enforce health rules.

Why it matters#

• For travellers: these measures directly affect boarding requirements, what tests are accepted, the need to use ArriveCAN, and mask rules during travel. Non‑compliance can lead to records being kept and fines.
• For public health and aviation safety: the Interim Order is aimed at reducing the risk of importing COVID‑19, including variants of concern, and gives the government tools to verify and enforce those protections.
• For manufacturers and the environment: the ministerial condition allows a particular engineered substance to be used in single‑use medical PPE but only under strict handling, disposal and tracking rules to prevent environmental release.
• For the telecom sector and consumers: ISED’s antenna rule changes and the upcoming spectrum auction could affect where antenna consultations occur, how projects proceed, and which companies gain spectrum that shapes services.
• For governance: the appointment notices show many leadership openings across federal boards and agencies that determine how programs and regulations are run.