Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 155, Number 23: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
June 5, 2021
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999
Final guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality for metribuzin
Pursuant to subsection 55(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Minister of Health hereby gives notice of the final guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality for metribuzin. The technical document for these guidelines is available on the Water Quality website. This document underwent a public consultation period of 60 days in 2020 and was updated to take into consideration the comments received.
June 4, 2021
David Morin
Director General
Safe Environments Directorate
On behalf of the Minister of Health
ANNEX
Guidelines
The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for metribuzin in drinking water is 0.08 mg/L (80 μg/L).
Executive summary
This guideline technical document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and is based on assessments of metribuzin completed by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency and supporting documents.
Exposure
Metribuzin is a pre- and post-emergent herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and grasses in agriculture. In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, more than 100 000 kg of metribuzin (as an active ingredient) was sold in Canada.
Metribuzin is released into the environment as surface runoff following agricultural spraying (particularly within two weeks of soil application), as tile drain effluent, from accidental discharge or as spray drift. It has the potential to leach into groundwater or move into surface water.
Data provided by provinces and territories that monitor for metribuzin indicate that metribuzin is not commonly found in source or drinking water in Canada. However, low levels of metribuzin have been found in source and treated drinking water in a few Canadian provinces during targeted monitoring programs in agricultural areas where metribuzin is applied. Although metribuzin is used on food crops, it is rarely detected in foods.
Health effects
In repeat-dose animal studies, metribuzin primarily targeted the liver and, to a lesser extent, the thyroid, but did not cause birth defects, reproductive effects or an increase in cancer. Of the available studies in humans, there was no relationship between exposure to metribuzin and the incidence of cancer or Parkinson's disease. The MAC of 0.08 mg/L (80 µg/L) is based on liver effects seen in a two-year dog study.
Analytical and treatment considerations
The establishment of drinking water guidelines takes into consideration the ability to both measure the contaminant and remove it from drinking water supplies. Several analytical methods are available for measuring metribuzin in water at concentrations well below the MAC.
At the municipal level, treatment technologies that are available to effectively decrease metribuzin concentrations in drinking water include oxidation, activated carbon adsorption, and membrane filtration. These technologies are capable of achieving treated water concentrations well below the MAC. Although metribuzin may be removed by common oxidants used for disinfection (e.g. chlorine), utilities should be aware of the potential formation of degradation by-products.
In cases where metribuzin removal is desired at a small system or household level — for example, when the drinking water supply is from a private well — a residential drinking water treatment unit may be an option. Although there are no treatment units currently certified for the removal of metribuzin from drinking water, activated carbon adsorption and reverse osmosis technologies are expected to be effective. When using a residential drinking water treatment unit, it is important to take samples of water entering and leaving the treatment unit and send them to an accredited laboratory for analysis to ensure that adequate metribuzin removal is occurring.
Application of the guidelines
Note: Specific guidance related to the implementation of drinking water guidelines should be obtained from the appropriate drinking water authority.
The guidelines are protective against health effects from exposure to metribuzin in drinking water over a lifetime. Any exceedance of the MAC should be investigated and followed by the appropriate corrective actions if required. For exceedances in source water where there is no treatment in place, additional monitoring to confirm the exceedance should be conducted. If it is confirmed that source water metribuzin concentrations are above the MAC, then an investigation to determine the most appropriate way to reduce exposure to metribuzin should be conducted. This may include use of an alternate water supply or installation of treatment. Where treatment is already in place and an exceedance occurs, an investigation should be conducted to verify treatment and to determine whether adjustments are needed to lower the treated water concentration below the MAC.
INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA
RADIOCOMMUNICATION ACT
Notice No. SLPB-002-21 — Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band
The intent of this notice is to announce the release of the document entitled SLPB-002-21, Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band, which sets out Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's (ISED) decisions regarding revisions to the 3650-4200 MHz band (also referred to as the 3800 MHz band) to accommodate flexible use for fixed and mobile services.
This document is the result of the consultation process undertaken in Canada Gazette notice No. SLPB-002-20, Consultation on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band.
Obtaining copies
Copies of this notice and of documents referred to herein are available electronically on ISED's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.
Official versions of notices can be viewed on the Canada Gazette website.
June 5, 2021
Chantal Davis
Senior Director
Regulatory Policy
Spectrum Licensing Policy Branch
INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA
RADIOCOMMUNICATION ACT
Notice No. SMSE-006-21 — Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for Licence-Exempt Use in the 6 GHz Band
Notice is hereby given that Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has published the following document:
The document sets out ISED's decision resulting from the consultation process SMSE-014-20 — Consultation on the Technical and Policy Framework for Licence-Exempt Use in the 6 GHz Band.
All comments received in response to the consultation are available on ISED's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.
Obtaining copies
Copies of this notice and of documents referred to herein are available electronically on ISED's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.
Official versions of notices can be viewed on the Canada Gazette website.
May 19, 2021
Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioner | British Columbia Treaty Commission | |
| Director | Business Development Bank of Canada | |
| Member | Canada Council for the Arts | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Canada Council for the Arts | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | Canada Development Investment Corporation | |
| Commissioner for Employers | Canada Employment Insurance Commission | |
| Director | Canada Infrastructure Bank | |
| Director | Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation | |
| Chairperson | Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board | |
| Member of the Board of Directors | Canada Post | |
| Member | Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Dairy Commission | |
| Chief Executive Officer | Canadian Dairy Commission | |
| Accessibility Commissioner | Canadian Human Rights Commission | |
| Federal Housing Advocate | Canadian Human Rights Commission | |
| Chairperson | Canadian Human Rights Tribunal | |
| Member | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | |
| Director | Canadian Museum of History | |
| Director | Canadian Race Relations Foundation | |
| Temporary Member | Canadian Transportation Agency | |
| Chairperson | Destination Canada | |
| Director | Destination Canada | |
| Director | Farm Credit Canada | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board | |
| Director | Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation | |
| Member | Great Lakes Pilotage Authority Canada | |
| Director (Federal) | Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority | |
| Member, Yukon | Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada | |
| Governor | International Development Research Centre | |
| Member (appointment to roster) | International Trade and International Investment Dispute Settlement Bodies | |
| Chairperson | Laurentian Pilotage Authority Canada | |
| Chairperson | Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada | |
| Member | Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada | |
| Member | National Arts Centre Corporation | |
| Member | National Research Council Canada | |
| Member | National Seniors Council | |
| Chief Accessibility Officer | Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer | |
| Commissioner and Director | Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages | |
| Superintendent | Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada | |
| Member | Payments in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel | |
| Director | Public Sector Pension Investment Board of Canada | |
| Member | Public Service Pension Advisory Committee | |
| Chairperson | Standards Council of Canada | |
| Registrar | Supreme Court of Canada | |
| Director (Federal) | Toronto Port Authority | |
| Chairperson and Member | Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada | |
| Vice-Chairperson | Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada | |
| Director (Federal) | Trois-Rivières Port Authority |