Preliminary inquiry into Chinese wind towers

Summary#

The Canada Gazette publishes several notices from federal commissions. Key items are a preliminary injury inquiry into alleged dumping and subsidizing of certain wind towers from the People’s Republic of China, two procurement complaints the Canadian International Trade Tribunal will review, and proposed registration rules for online streaming operators posted by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

What it does#

• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal opened a preliminary injury inquiry under the Special Import Measures Act into certain steel utility wind towers and sections from the People’s Republic of China (file PI-2023-001). The Tribunal set dates for written submissions and described the goods covered, including towers designed for turbines with over 100 kilowatts of rated power and at least 50 meters in height.
• The Tribunal also decided to hold procurement inquiries into two complaints:
  • Complaint PR-2023-007 from Newland Canada Corporation about a Department of National Defence solicitation (alleging the winning bidder lacked a required technical bid).
  • Complaint PR-2023-006 from Chantier Davie Canada Inc. and Wärtsilä Canada Inc. about a Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) solicitation for work on the CCGS Terry Fox (alleging improper re-evaluation of bids and other issues).
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) published the proposed Online Undertakings Registration Regulations and related guidance under the Broadcasting Act. The draft rules say an operator must:
  • Register an online undertaking within 30 days after beginning to operate, or existing operators must register within 60 days after the regulations come into force.
  • Provide the undertaking’s name, operator contact details, head-office location, and the broadcasting services offered.
  • Update registration information within 30 days of any change, submit information electronically, and request deregistration within 30 days after ceasing operations.

Who's affected#

• Companies that import, sell, make, or install large steel wind towers or tower sections — including developers and utilities using turbines above 100 kilowatts and towers at least 50 meters tall.
• Bidders and contractors involved in the DND accommodation contract and the CCGS Terry Fox repair contract, including the named complainants Newland Canada Corporation, Chantier Davie Canada Inc., and Wärtsilä Canada Inc.
• Operators of online streaming services or other “online undertakings” that fall under the Broadcasting Act. It is not always clear which internet services will be covered; the CRTC’s guidance is meant to clarify that.

Why it matters#

• The wind-tower inquiry could affect the cost and competitiveness of imported towers. If the Tribunal’s review eventually supports the dumping or subsidy claims, it can lead to further investigations and possible trade remedies that change prices and sourcing choices. The Gazette entry itself announces only the preliminary step.
• The procurement inquiries could change who wins or keeps major government contracts, affect how future bids are evaluated, and influence firms’ decisions to bid on government work.
• The CRTC’s registration rules would create new paperwork and reporting steps for online services that the regulator decides fall within the Broadcasting Act. That could affect small and large platforms differently and influence how some services operate in Canada.