Tribunal rulings, gypsum review, 2022 rail rates

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice (Part I, Dec. 25, 2021) collects several short federal notices from commissions and agencies. Key items: the Canadian International Trade Tribunal partially upheld a procurement complaint by Marine Recycling Corporation (MRC); the Tribunal opened an expiry review of anti-dumping findings on gypsum board; the Canadian Transportation Agency set regulated interswitching rates for 2022; and the Public Service Commission gave permission to three public servants to run in municipal elections.

What it does#

• Tribunal procurement decision:
  • Records that the Canadian International Trade Tribunal found the complaint by Marine Recycling Corporation (MRC) valid in part about a PWGSC procurement for dismantling the former vessel CCGS W.E. Ricker. The Tribunal’s decision date was January 22, 2021.
• Gypsum board expiry review:
  • Starts an expiry review of the Tribunal’s finding on dumped gypsum board from the United States, under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA).
  • Timelines given include a CBSA determination by May 12, 2022, participant forms due May 26, 2022, a participants list on July 4, 2022, a public hearing starting August 8, 2022, and the Tribunal’s final order by October 19, 2022.
• Rail interswitching rates:
  • Publishes the regulated interswitching rates that shippers can be charged for 2022. The rates per car are:
    • Zone 1: $335 (interswitching to/from a siding) and $90 (car block)
    • Zone 2: $460 and $140
    • Zone 3: $415 and $75
    • Zone 4A: $475 and $95
    • Zone 4B: $475 + $10.75 per additional kilometre and $95 + $0.98 per additional kilometre
• Permissions to run in municipal elections:
  • The Public Service Commission allowed:
    • Della Dearing to seek mayor of Weirdale, Saskatchewan (by‑election February 23, 2022).
    • Michael Johnson to run for councillor in Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador (by‑election November 30, 2021).
    • Marc Robidoux to run for councillor in Sainte‑Paule, Quebec (election December 5, 2021).

Who's affected#

• Procurement decision:
  • Marine Recycling Corporation (MRC), the Department of Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and firms that bid on the dismantling of CCGS W.E. Ricker.
• Gypsum board review:
  • Makers, importers, distributors, and buyers of gypsum board coming from the United States into western Canada and the territories (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories).
  • The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and any businesses that currently pay or might pay anti‑dumping duties.
• Rail rates:
  • Rail shippers and receivers who use interswitching (short transfers between railways).
  • Short‑line and mainline rail companies that handle interswitching moves.
• Election permissions:
  • The three named public servants and voters in the listed small municipalities.
  • Generally routine for public service employees seeking municipal office.

Why it matters#

• Procurement fairness: a Tribunal finding that a procurement complaint is “valid in part” can affect who wins government contracts and can raise concerns about how bids are evaluated.
• Gypsum board duties: the expiry review could lead to duties being kept, removed, or changed. That affects prices for builders, renovators, and construction suppliers in western Canada and the territories.
• Shipping costs: the published interswitching rates set the basic fees for short rail transfers in 2022. That can change transportation costs for businesses that ship heavy or bulk goods by rail.
• Public servants in elections: the permissions let those employees run for municipal office without breaching public service rules. This is a routine administrative step that enables local democracy.