Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 152, Number 39: GOVERNMENT NOTICES

September 29, 2018

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

CANADA STUDENT LOANS REGULATIONS

Interest rates

In accordance with subsection 13(3) of the Canada Student Loans Regulations, notice is hereby given that, pursuant to subsections 13(1) and 13(2) respectively, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour has fixed the Class "A" rate of interest at 2.125% and the Class "B" rate of interest at 3.125% for the loan year beginning on August 1, 2018, and ending on July 31, 2019.

August 1, 2018

The Honourable Patricia A. Hajdu, M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999

Publication of final decision after screening assessment of six substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group specified on the Domestic Substances List (subsection 77(6) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)

Whereas the six substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group stated in the annex are substances identified under subsection 73(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999;

Whereas a summary of the final screening assessment conducted on the substances pursuant to section 74 of the Act is annexed hereby;

And whereas it is concluded that the substances do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act,

Notice therefore is hereby given that the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) propose to take no further action on these substances at this time under section 77 of the Act.

Catherine McKenna
Minister of the Environment

Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

ANNEX

Summary of the final screening assessment of six substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group

Pursuant to section 74 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health have conducted a screening assessment of six of nine substances referred to collectively under the Chemicals Management Plan as the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group. These six substances were identified as priorities for assessment, as they met categorization criteria under subsection 73(1) of CEPA. Three of the nine substances were subsequently determined to be of low concern through other approaches, and decisions for these substances are provided in separate reports. footnote 1,footnote 2 Accordingly, this screening assessment addresses the six substances listed in the table below. These six substances are hereinafter referred to as the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group.

Substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group
CAS RN footnote 3 Domestic Substances List name Common name
79-10-7 2-Propenoic acid Acrylic acid
79-41-4 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl- Methacrylic acid
97-88-1 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, butyl ester N-Butyl methacrylate
103-11-7 2-Propenoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate
141-32-2 2-Propenoic acid, butyl ester Butyl acrylate
7534-94-3 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 1,7,7-
trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl ester, exo-
Isobornyl methacrylate

Acrylic acid occurs naturally in marine algae, and methacrylic acid occurs naturally in oil from Roman chamomile. The other four substances do not occur naturally in the environment. Most of the substances in this group have many applications, including manufacture of polymers. According to information obtained pursuant to a survey under section 71 of CEPA, all six substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group were imported into Canada in total quantities ranging from 10 000 kg to 22 000 000 kg in the 2011 reporting year. In the same year, no Canadian manufacturing was reported for any of the six substances above the reporting threshold of 100 kg. Substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group are used in commercial products and products available to consumers, including adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, plastic and rubber materials, paper products, cosmetics, and building or construction materials. Additionally, several substances in this group are also used in the manufacture of some food packaging materials and as components of incidental additives used in food processing plants.

The ecological risks of the substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group were characterized using the ecological risk classification of organic substances (ERC). The ERC is a risk-based approach that employs multiple metrics for both hazard and exposure, with weighted consideration of multiple lines of evidence for determining risk classification. Hazard profiles are based principally on metrics regarding mode of toxic action, chemical reactivity, food web–derived internal toxicity thresholds, bioavailability, and chemical and biological activity. Metrics considered in the exposure profiles include potential emission rate, overall persistence, and long-range transport potential. A risk matrix is used to assign a low, moderate or high level of potential concern for substances on the basis of hazard and exposure profiles. The ERC identified the six substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group as having low potential to cause ecological harm.

Considering all available lines of evidence presented in this screening assessment, there is a low risk of harm to the environment from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and isobornyl methacrylate. It is concluded that acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and isobornyl methacrylate do not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(a) or (b) of CEPA, as they are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity or that constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends.

For the general population of Canada, potential exposures to the substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group from various environmental media and food were characterized. Estimates of exposure from use of products available to consumers, including cosmetics, were made. Exposure is expected to occur mainly from products available to consumers.

The critical health effects of the substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group are decreased body weight gain and liver and kidney toxicity at higher doses in laboratory studies. The substances are not considered to be carcinogenic, genotoxic or reproductive toxicants and do not cause developmental effects in the absence of maternal toxicity in laboratory studies.

Margins of exposure comparing effect levels for the critical health effects and the estimates of exposure from uses of products available to consumers were considered adequate to address uncertainties in the health effects and exposure databases for the substances in the Acrylates and Methacrylates Group.

On the basis of the information presented in this screening assessment, it is concluded that acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate and isobornyl methacrylate do not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA, as they are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.

Conclusion

It is concluded that acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, and isobornyl methacrylate do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA.

The final screening assessment for these substances is available on the Canada.ca (Chemical Substances) website.

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

ASSESSMENT OF PENSION PLANS REGULATIONS

Basic rate

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with section 5 of the Assessment of Pension Plans Regulations, that the Superintendent of Financial Institutions sets the basic rate, established pursuant to section 4 of the said Regulations, at $9.00 for the Office year beginning on April 1, 2019. In accordance with subsection 2(2) of the said Regulations, this rate applies to all pension plans registered under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act, where the assessment is due by March 31, 2020.

September 18, 2018

Carolyn Rogers
Assistant Superintendent

PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE

Appointment opportunities

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada's diversity. The Government of Canada has implemented an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

We are equally committed to providing a healthy workplace that supports one's dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work to one's full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful and harassment-free work environment.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following positions.

Current opportunities

The following opportunities for appointments to Governor in Council positions are currently open for applications. Every opportunity is open for a minimum of two weeks from the date of posting on the Governor in Council Appointments website.

Position Organization Closing date
Director Canada Council for the Arts  
Chairperson Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology  
Chairperson Canada Lands Company Limited  
President and Chief Executive Officer Canada Post Corporation  
Chairperson Canada Science and Technology Museum  
Vice-Chairperson Canada Science and Technology Museum  
Vice-Chairperson Canadian Museum for Human Rights  
Vice-President Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21  
Vice-Chairperson Canadian Museum of Nature  
Chairperson Canadian Race Relations Foundation  
Regional Member (Quebec) Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission  
Chairperson Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police  
Director CPP Investment Board  
President and Chief Executive Officer Export Development Canada  
Chief Executive Officer The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited  
Commissioner Financial Consumer Agency of Canada  
Director (Federal) Hamilton Port Authority  
Commissioners and Chairperson International Joint Commission  
Members (appointment to roster) International Trade and International Investment Dispute Settlement Bodies  
President and Chief Executive Officer Marine Atlantic Inc.  
Chairperson National Arts Centre Corporation  
Vice-Chairperson National Arts Centre Corporation  
Chief Executive Officer National Capital Commission  
Director National Gallery of Canada  
Chairperson National Research Council of Canada  
Commissioner of Competition Office of the Commissioner of Competition  
Superintendent Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada  
Veterans' Ombudsman Office of the Veterans' Ombudsman  
Director (Federal) Oshawa Port Authority  
Master of the Mint Royal Canadian Mint  
Usher of the Black Rod Senate  
Chairperson Telefilm Canada  
Member (Marine and Medical) Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada  
President and Chief Executive Officer VIA Rail Canada Inc.  

BANK OF CANADA

Statement of financial position as at August 31, 2018

(Millions of dollars) Unaudited
ASSETS
Cash and foreign deposits   20.7
Loans and receivables
Securities purchased under resale agreements 8,605.6  
Advances -  
Other receivables 4.6  
    8,610.2
Investments
Treasury bills of Canada 25,953.3  
Government of Canada bonds 80,096.5  
Other investments 416.0  
    106,465.8
Property and equipment   582.1
Intangible assets   41.4
Other assets   200.8
  115,921.0
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Bank notes in circulation   88,012.6
Deposits
Government of Canada 23,546.2  
Members of Payments Canada 249.5  
Other deposits 3,070.1  
    26,865.8
Securities sold under repurchase agreements   -
Other liabilities   534.7
    115,413.1
Equity
Share capital 5.0  
Statutory and special reserves 125.0  
Investment revaluation reserve footnote * 377.9  
    507.9
115,921.0

I declare that the foregoing statement is correct according to the books of the Bank.

Ottawa, September 17, 2018

Carmen Vierula
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accountant

I declare that the foregoing statement is to the best of my knowledge and belief correct, and shows truly and clearly the financial position of the Bank, as required by section 29 of the Bank of Canada Act.

Ottawa, September 17, 2018

Stephen S. Poloz
Governor