Trade Tribunal hearings, review and inquiry

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published notices from the Canadian International Trade Tribunal about several trade and procurement matters. It lists two public appeal hearings (on surgical gloves and LED lights), starts an expiry review of an anti‑dumping order on very large liquid dielectric transformers from Korea, and begins an inquiry into a Department of National Defence procurement complaint. It also notes routine postings from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

What it does#

• Announces a public hearing on surgical gloves in the appeal by Medline Canada Corporation. Hearing date: March 28, 2023. The issue is whether the gloves fit tariff item 9977.00.00.
• Announces a public hearing on LED lighting in the appeal by Bazz Inc.. Hearing date: March 30, 2023. The dispute is about whether the lights should be classified under tariff item 9405.10.00 (as decided by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)) or under 8543.70.00 or 8539.50.00 as claimed by Bazz.
• Begins an expiry review (Expiry review RR-2022-004) under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) of an existing order on liquid dielectric transformers from the Republic of Korea that have top power capacity of 60,000 kilovolt amperes (60 megavolt amperes) or more.
  • The CBSA must decide whether ending the order would likely lead to a return of dumping and will report back by July 13, 2023.
  • The Tribunal aims to issue its decision and reasons by December 20, 2023.
  • Deadline to file participation forms with the Tribunal: February 28, 2023. Hearing is scheduled to start October 10, 2023 (type of hearing to be confirmed).
• Starts an inquiry into a procurement complaint (File PR-2022-066) from Steeple Incorporated about a Defence solicitation for non‑metallic hoses. Steeple alleges that Department of National Defence (DND) improperly awarded the contract to Simex Defence Inc. The decision to hold the inquiry was made on February 14, 2023.
• Notes that the CRTC posted decisions, consultations and other routine documents online (these are standard commission postings, not new federal rules).

Who's affected#

• Importers, exporters, and customs brokers dealing with surgical gloves, LED lighting, and very large liquid dielectric transformers.
• Canadian manufacturers of those products who compete with imported goods.
• Companies that bid on DND procurement for hoses, specifically Steeple Incorporated and Simex Defence Inc., and other defence contractors who follow procurement fairness.
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, which handle classification, duties, and injury/expiry reviews.
• Broader electricity and utility buyers if the transformer review results in continued duties on large transformers — though the exact market effect is not spelled out in the notice.
• Members of the public and organizations who want to follow or participate in the Tribunal processes (deadlines listed above).

Why it matters#

• Classification appeals (gloves, LED lights) can change which customs duty and tariff rules apply. That can affect how much importers pay and potentially the price of goods in Canada.
• The expiry review of the transformer order could keep anti‑dumping duties in place. That matters to utilities and companies that buy very large transformers because continued duties can raise import costs and affect project budgets.
• The procurement inquiry affects trust in government contracting. If the Tribunal finds the award was improper, it could lead to contract remedies or changes in how DND runs similar procurements.
• The notices give companies and interested parties formal dates and deadlines to register, submit documents, or attend hearings if they want to take part. If you are unsure whether you or your business are affected, the notices list contact points for the Tribunal and CBSA.