COVID-19 Aviation Interim Order and Notices

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue (published January 16, 2021) contains several government notices. It reports final screening assessments for two chemicals that the Department of the Environment and Department of Health say pose low risk, an addition of land to the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, a detailed COVID-19 interim order for aviation (Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, No. 18) and notices about public appointments and a tariff quota consultation by Global Affairs Canada.

What it does#

• Chemicals:
  • Publishes final screening assessments under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 for acetic acid (CAS RN 64-19-7) and diazenedicarboxamide (CAS RN 123-77-3) and concludes neither meets the Act’s risk criteria. The ministers propose no further action at this time.
• Maa-nulth land:
  • Records that land owned by Uchucklesaht Tribe (legal PID 030-104-203, District Lot 2239) is added to the Maa‑nulth First Nation lands and that a plan (Appendix B‑4, Part 2(a) Plan 6) is amended to reflect it.
• Aviation COVID-19 interim order:
  • Introduces or restates many requirements for flights and airports, including:
    • Mandatory notifications and confirmations from passengers about possible COVID-19 measures and quarantine rules.
    • Health checks and temperature screening at boarding and at certain Canadian aerodromes.
    • For most flights to Canada: proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours before initial scheduled departure (a 96-hour exception for certain countries listed in the order for a limited period).
    • Mandatory wearing and possession of a face mask during boarding, flight, deplaning and certain screenings, with limited exceptions.
    • Restrictions on boarding by some foreign nationals (with limited exceptions).
    • Record-keeping and training requirements for carriers and screening authorities.
    • Penalties specified for breaches (see "Who's affected").
  • The order replaces Interim Order No. 17 and took effect in early January 2021 (specific timings are in the order).
• Appointments:
  • The Privy Council Office lists many open Governor in Council appointment opportunities across federal boards and agencies.
• Tariff quotas (TRQs):
  • Global Affairs Canada restarts Phase II of consultations on allocation and administration of tariff rate quotas for dairy, poultry and egg products. It asks for comments and will publish long-term policies on September 1, 2021.

Who's affected#

• Users and manufacturers of the two assessed chemicals:
  • Businesses and consumers that use acetic acid (vinegar, foods, cleaners, cosmetics, some sealants).
  • Businesses that use diazenedicarboxamide (food industry, PVC manufacture, some consumer products).
• Uchucklesaht Tribe and local governments:
  • The Uchucklesaht Tribe and federal/provincial officials involved in land management and the Maa‑nulth agreement.
• Air travellers and aviation industry:
  • Passengers on flights within Canada and flights to Canada, especially international travellers who must show a negative molecular test result taken within 72 hours.
  • Air carriers, private operators, aerodrome operators, screening authorities, gate agents and crew who must follow the screening, masking, testing, training and record-keeping rules.
  • Foreign nationals: boarding restrictions apply to some people trying to fly to Canada (with specific exceptions).
• Businesses and stakeholders in supply-managed agriculture:
  • Dairy, poultry and egg producers, importers, processors and quota holders who use or are affected by TRQs and allocation policies.
• People interested in federal public appointments:
  • Canadians who may apply for Governor in Council positions listed by the Privy Council Office.

(If a notice or list in the full order is unclear about who is covered in a specific case, the legal text is the authoritative source.)

Why it matters#

• Chemicals: The government says these two substances currently pose low risk to the environment and human health. That means no new federal restrictions are proposed now, which affects businesses, product formulations and consumers who use items that contain these substances.
• Maa-nulth land: Adding the Uchucklesaht land to Maa‑nulth holdings changes legal land status. That can affect local services, governance, and rights tied to that land.
• Aviation COVID rules: The interim order sets concrete rules travellers and aviation businesses must follow to try to reduce COVID-19 spread. The testing, temperature checks, mask rules and possible fines can affect travel planning, costs and whether someone is allowed to board a flight. The testing timeline (generally 72 hours) is especially important for international travellers to meet before departure.
• TRQ consultation: Changes to how tariff rate quotas for dairy, poultry and eggs are allocated could affect prices, imports and the competitiveness of producers and processors. The government will publish long-term TRQ policies on September 1, 2021, and written comments were requested by March 5, 2021 as part of the consultation.

If you need the exact legal text, times or lists (for example the countries with a 96‑hour test window or the airports where temperature screening rules apply), refer to the full Canada Gazette notice or the linked documents on Canada.ca.