Dead Migratory Birds Possession and Health Guidelines

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue collects several government notices on environment, health, transport and administrative matters. Key practical effects include a temporary permission to hold found-dead migratory birds for testing, proposed new health guidelines open for comment (on cyanobacteria in recreational water and on residential carbon dioxide), a short extension of some Food and Drug Regulations time limits, and a marine safety order to protect North Atlantic right whales in the Shediac Valley.

What it does#

• Environment

  • Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Minister temporarily allows people who find dead migratory birds to hold them briefly so the birds can be delivered quickly to provincial or territorial authorities for testing. This temporary permission runs for one year from August 22, 2020. In other cases, the general prohibition on possessing migratory bird carcasses still applies.
  • The notice points people to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (survey coordinator) and gives a contact number: 1‑800‑567‑2033. Handling guidance is available from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

• Health — regulatory time limits (COVID-19)

  • The Minister of Health issued an order extending certain time limits in the Food and Drug Regulations by 15 days for the two named provisions (paragraphs C.05.006(1)(b) and C.05.008(1)(b)). The order includes rules about which deadlines the extension covers and stops applying on November 16, 2020.

• Health — proposed guidelines (for comment)

  • Proposed Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality — Cyanobacteria and their Toxins are open for public comment from August 22, 2020 to November 20, 2020. Proposed numeric values include:
    • Total microcystins: 10 µg/L
    • Total cyanobacteria: 50,000 cells/mL
    • Total cyanobacterial biovolume: 4.5 mm3/L
    • Total chlorophyll a: 33 µg/L
  • Proposed Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide are open for comment from August 22, 2020 to October 23, 2020. The proposed long-term indoor exposure limit is 1,000 ppm (24-hour average). The document notes the old guideline was ≤ 3,500 ppm (set in 1987) and gives recommendations to reduce indoor CO2, such as improving ventilation.

• Transport — marine protection

  • An Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in and near the Shediac Valley creates a restricted area and rules for vessels larger than 13 m. Main points:
    • Vessels must not navigate in the restricted area, with listed exceptions (commercial fishing, certain licensed Indigenous fishing, government/peace officers on duty, research vessels, authorized gear retrieval, distress, pollution response, or avoiding immediate danger).
    • Where exceptions apply, vessels listed must not exceed 8 knots over ground inside the restricted area.
    • A weather-based suspension of the speed limit can be put in place by a navigational warning for up to 96 hours.
    • The restricted zone is defined by five geographic coordinates (listed in the Gazette).

• Administrative and other notices

  • The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions issued an order allowing FNB Trust (French: La Société de Fiducie FNB) to commence business effective August 11, 2020.
  • The Privy Council Office published a call for applications for many Governor-in-Council appointments, listing numerous boards and agencies and encouraging diverse applicants.

Who's affected#

• People who find dead migratory birds (members of the public, wildlife rehabilitators, local staff) and provincial/territorial labs that receive carcasses.
• Companies, researchers, and others with deadlines under the named parts of the Food and Drug Regulations (the notice does not spell out which activities those deadlines refer to).
• Public health officials, parks and recreation managers, municipal water managers, and anyone who uses or manages lakes, rivers or beaches — especially where cyanobacterial (blue‑green algae) blooms occur.
• Homeowners, building managers and occupants (including vulnerable groups like infants, children and people with respiratory conditions) concerned about indoor air and ventilation; those who make or enforce building or product standards.
• Ship and boat operators with vessels over 13 m, commercial fishers, Indigenous fishers (with licensed exceptions), marine enforcement agencies, and conservation groups focused on North Atlantic right whales.
• Customers and counterparties of FNB Trust, and people monitoring financial-sector entrants.
• Canadians interested in public appointments to federal boards and agencies.

Why it matters#

• Allowing brief, controlled possession of found-dead migratory birds helps speed samples to labs. That improves surveillance for avian diseases (for example, avian influenza) that can affect wildlife and, in some cases, agriculture and human health.
• The proposed recreational water guidelines give clear numeric thresholds to help decide when water is unsafe for swimming because of cyanobacteria and toxins. That can affect beach closures and public health messaging.
• The proposed indoor CO2 guideline signals increased attention to ventilation and indoor air quality. If adopted, it could influence housing advice, building operation practices, and standards meant to reduce symptoms and improve comfort and performance indoors.
• The whale protection order imposes an immediate, location-specific navigation restriction and speed limit to reduce the risk of ship strikes on an endangered species. It directly affects mariners and aims to protect marine biodiversity.
• The financial and appointment notices are routine administrative steps but are important for people watching new entrants to the trust sector and for Canadians seeking federal board or agency roles.