Student Direct Stream and Plastics Registry Notices

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue publishes several government notices that affect immigration processing, plastics reporting, veterinary drug filing, environmental assessments, radio equipment rules, insurance company changes, and federal appointment calls. The practical effects include a revised Student Direct Stream (SDS) process for some study-permit applicants, a planned Federal Plastics Registry reporting requirement for 2024–2026, new filing rules and fees for veterinary drug master files, and a handful of administrative and regulatory updates with near-term effective dates.

What it does#

• Student Direct Stream (changes under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act):

  • Gives priority processing to study-permit applications from residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam if they meet listed documents and tests.
  • Requires accepted language tests to be completed in person; remote online tests are not accepted for SDS.
  • Takes effect January 1, 2024 and repeals the earlier SDS instructions signed May 12, 2023.

• Federal Plastics Registry (notice of intent under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999):

  • The government is proposing to require producers and certain service providers to report detailed data on plastics placed on the Canadian market and end‑of‑life handling for the calendar years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
  • Deadlines (if the notice is issued as planned): report 2024 data by September 29, 2025, 2025 data by September 29, 2026, and 2026 data by September 29, 2027.
  • The proposal would require online submission and allows requests for confidential treatment for some information; it seeks feedback now (this is a notice of intent, not yet a final order).
  • The proposed schedules list the types of plastics and product categories covered (packaging, single‑use items, electronics, tires, construction materials, textiles, etc.).

• Veterinary drug master files (Health):

  • Health Canada will require master-file (MF) transactions for veterinary drugs to be sent through the Common Electronic Submission Gateway (CESG) using a web-based/XML form.
  • MF fees for veterinary drugs take effect January 2, 2024: $1,351 for new master files (registration), $192 for letters of access, and $587 for updates. Fees will rise by 2% each April 1 thereafter.
  • Existing MFs will not be charged the registration fee, but letters of access and updates will incur fees from January 2, 2024.

• Environment — chemical condition rescinded:

  • The Department of the Environment rescinded earlier conditions on a specific chemical (long name listed in the notice; Confidential Substance Identity Number 13774-4) because ministers no longer suspect it is toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

• Radio-frequency guidance:

  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published RSS-102, Issue 6 and related measurement/simulation procedures for assessing radio‑frequency exposure. These are technical standards now available for industry.

• Insurance and financial notices (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions):

  • Notices of corporate changes and authorizations effective January 1, 2024, including letters patent and an order allowing Echelon Insurance (amalgamated with Orion Travel Insurance Company) to carry on specified classes of insurance, and an order authorizing Europ Assistance S.A. to insure in Canada.

• Privy Council Office:

  • A public call for applications to many Governor in Council appointments across federal boards and agencies (many positions listed).

Who's affected#

• Study-permit applicants from the listed countries who want priority processing under the Student Direct Stream, plus the postsecondary institutions that accept them.
• People planning language testing for SDS — testing must be done in person (not remote).
• Plastic producers, brand owners, producer responsibility organizations (PROs), recyclers, composters, processors, and others involved in managing plastics at end-of-life — if the plastics registry notice is issued these groups would need to report.
• Veterinary drug manufacturers and MF holders or users (companies that rely on master files for supporting drug submissions).
• Companies that make or test radio and wireless equipment — they should note the updated RSS-102 guidance.
• The insurance companies named (Echelon Insurance, Orion Travel Insurance Company, Europ Assistance S.A.) and their customers and partners.
• Canadians interested in federal board and agency appointments.

If any item’s reach is unclear from the notice (for example exact thresholds for who must report to the plastics registry), the notice itself is the best source for specifics.

Why it matters#

• For some international students, the SDS changes could speed up study-permit decisions — but they may also add testing logistics if an in-person language test is required where test centres are limited.
• The proposed plastics reporting would create a new, detailed national dataset about what plastics are put on the market and how they are handled at end-of-life. That data could shape future plastics rules and producer obligations. It would also mean new reporting work and possible compliance costs for businesses and organizations that handle plastics.
• The veterinary drug MF changes standardize how confidential technical information is submitted and introduce fees. That could change costs and filing routines for companies developing veterinary drugs.
• Rescinding the environmental condition on the named chemical means the specific restrictions tied to that earlier condition are removed, which may affect companies that manufacture or import that substance.
• Updated RF-exposure documents affect manufacturers and test labs that demonstrate compliance for devices used near the body.
• The insurance notices are administrative but matter to policyholders and market participants because they reflect corporate reorganizations and licensing to operate in Canada.
• The appointments call is an open opportunity for Canadians to apply for many federal leadership roles.