Canadian Government Notices for March 18

The government of Canada recently issued the following trade-related notices for March 18 (note that some may also be given separate headlines):

• Comment period on proposed regulations to implement UN Arms Trade Treaty. Global Affairs Canada announced March 15 that in preparation for Canada joining the UN Arms Trade Treaty later this year, it is working to meet all the legislative requirements of the treaty. The comment period on regulations to implement the ATT is now open. As background, the following have taken place: the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-47, which amends the Export and Import Permits Act to establish controls on brokering of military items and to incorporate directly into Canadian law the assessment criteria laid out in the ATT, along with other amendments to further strengthen Canada’s export controls. That bill received royal assent on Dec. 13, 2018. Following that, Canadians were consulted on the proposed strengthening of Canada’s export controls regime. Then a package of six regulations that are needed to implement Canada’s obligations under the ATT were drafted. These regulations are being “pre-published” in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for 30 days from March 16 to April 15, 2019, during which time stakeholders are encouraged to review them and to comment. Once approved, the regulations and changes to Canada’s export control programs are expected to enter into force during the summer of 2019.
• Additions to restricted party list under sanctions on Russia. Canada added new Russian entities and individuals to its restricted party list.