Notices: Student Loans, CITES, Water Guideline, Offshore Suspension

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue (Part I, September 17, 2022) collects several government notices that affect student loans, an upcoming international wildlife meeting, drinking-water standards for two pesticide chemicals, a temporary hold on offshore petroleum decisions, and a wide set of public appointment opportunities. Each notice is short and mostly technical or administrative, but some have practical effects for borrowers, water suppliers, and businesses that trade wildlife or bid on offshore rights.

What it does#

• Student loans

  • The Department of Employment and Social Development set interest rates under the Canada Student Loans Regulations for the loan year August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023: Class “A” 2.125% and Class “B” 3.125%.
  • The notice also reminds readers that, because of the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1, no interest is payable on guaranteed student loans during April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023.

• International wildlife meeting (CITES)

  • The Department of the Environment is asking for public input on species proposals and documents for the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP19), to be held November 14–25, 2022.
  • Consultation documents were published September 17, 2022 and the comment period closes October 16, 2022. Two virtual public meetings were scheduled for September 28, 2022 (English) and September 29, 2022 (French).

• Drinking-water guideline for dimethoate and omethoate

  • Health Canada gave notice of the final Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality - Dimethoate and Omethoate under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
  • The guideline sets a maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for the two chemicals combined at 0.02 mg/L (20 μg/L), using an additive approach (omethoate counted together with dimethoate as dimethoate equivalents).
  • The technical document was updated after a 60 days public consultation that ended in August 2021. It notes that more than 25,000 kg of dimethoate active ingredient were sold in Canada in 2018, and lists treatment and monitoring options (activated carbon, oxidation, membrane filtration, biological processes, residential reverse osmosis or carbon, etc.).

• Suspension of offshore decisions

  • The Department of Natural Resources announced that, after receiving three Fundamental Decisions from the Canada‑Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (including the Call for Bids NS22‑1 and the terms for Exploration and Significant Discovery licences) on July 28, 2022, the Minister suspended their implementation until September 26, 2022 under the Canada‑Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act.

• Public appointments

  • The Privy Council Office published a long list of open Governor in Council appointment opportunities across federal boards, agencies and Crown corporations. Each posting is open for at least two weeks from its posting date.

Who's affected#

• Student loan borrowers and people tracking student loan costs — especially those with guaranteed Canada student loans.
• Municipal drinking-water authorities and small-system/private well owners, plus operators and consultants who manage or test water supplies (because of the new 0.02 mg/L MAC for dimethoate/omethoate).
• Farmers and other users of the pesticide dimethoate, since the guideline and discussion note its use and environmental fate.
• Businesses and individuals who import, export or trade wildlife, conservation groups, and researchers — these groups may want to comment on CITES proposals ahead of November 14–25, 2022.
• Companies and prospective bidders interested in Nova Scotia offshore petroleum rights and the Canada‑Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, because decisions were temporarily suspended until September 26, 2022.
• Canadians interested in federal public appointments to boards and agencies listed by the Privy Council Office.

If it’s unclear whether a particular person or organization is affected, the notices point to the relevant department for details (for example, the CITES consultation page or the drinking‑water technical document).

Why it matters#

• For student borrowers: the announced interest rates set the official rates for the year, but most borrowers with guaranteed loans will not be charged interest during the no‑interest period that runs through March 31, 2023.
• For public health: the drinking-water guideline gives a clear safety limit — 0.02 mg/L (20 μg/L) — and tells water systems and household owners what treatment and monitoring options exist if dimethoate or omethoate are detected.
• For wildlife trade: the CITES consultation helps shape Canada’s positions on species protections that can change what can be imported or exported.
• For the offshore oil and gas sector: the temporary suspension delays the start of some bidding and licensing steps, which can affect companies’ schedules and planning.
• For civic engagement and representation: the appointment listings are a routine way the government seeks candidates for leadership roles in many federal bodies; interested Canadians have a chance to apply.