Appointments, Canada–Ecuador Trade Consultation, ISED & OSFI

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue (Part I, Vol. 157, No. 1) collects several government notices published January 7, 2023. It lists many senior appointments, launches a public consultation on possible Canada–Ecuador free trade talks, publishes radio-spectrum policy decisions by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and announces a temporary change by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to some insurance-sector limits because of the switch to IFRS 17.

What it does#

• Lists federal appointments across many boards and tribunals. These are formal notices of who was named to various public roles.
• Asks for public input on a possible Canada–Ecuador free trade negotiation. Global Affairs Canada invites written submissions by February 21, 2023 on trade priorities, market access, and concerns (with examples such as tariffs, rules of origin, investment and services barriers, procurement, and labour and environmental issues).
• Publishes technical and policy decisions from ISED on wireless spectrum, including rules and standards for:
  • Radio local area network devices in the 5850–5895 MHz and 5925–7125 MHz bands (documents like RSS‑248, Issue 2, and related database and application procedures).
  • Intelligent transportation systems in the 5895–5925 MHz band.
  • Frequency allocations above 95 GHz and an update to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations.
• Announces OSFI’s Specification of Certain Amounts under the Insurance Companies Act to temporarily increase some investment, lending and borrowing limits for federally regulated property and casualty insurers. Key replacements in the Specification include using:
  • 2.5% of total assets for one borrowing limit,
  • 6.25% for a commercial loan limit,
  • 12.5%, 31.25%, and 43.75% for three investment limits. These adjusted percentages take effect January 1, 2023 and expire December 31, 2024. The change responds to an expected roughly 20% average decline in total assets when insurers move from IFRS 4 to IFRS 17 accounting rules.
• Promotes a wide set of current Governor-in-Council appointment opportunities and how to apply.

Who's affected#

• People named in or interested in federal public appointments.
• Businesses, workers and civil society groups interested in trade with Ecuador, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exporters/importers, Indigenous groups, and underrepresented communities invited to comment.
• Telecom and equipment companies, wireless service providers, and organizations planning services that use the 6 GHz band or very high frequency bands (above 95 GHz). This includes manufacturers of Wi‑Fi and Intelligent Transportation Systems equipment and operators of Automated Frequency Coordination systems.
• Federally regulated property and casualty insurance companies, their policyholders and creditors. The OSFI change mainly affects these insurers and their ability to hold certain assets or lending positions while they transition accounting standards.
• The general public may be indirectly affected by market and service changes stemming from these notices (e.g., new wireless services or trade outcomes).

Why it matters#

• Appointments shape who runs and oversees public agencies and programs. That affects how services and decisions are made.
• The Canada–Ecuador consultation could influence future trade rules, market access, and business opportunities between the two countries. Submissions by February 21, 2023 could help set negotiation priorities.
• ISED’s spectrum decisions clear technical and policy paths for new wireless equipment and services. That can speed the rollout of technologies like expanded Wi‑Fi and vehicle communications, affecting connectivity and product availability.
• OSFI’s temporary increases in regulatory limits give property and casualty insurers time to adjust to IFRS 17 without being forced to sell assets quickly. That aims to reduce disruption for policyholders and preserve financial stability while firms implement the new accounting standard.