YELLOWKNIFE (March 1, 2010) – Finance Minister J. Michael Miltenberger today launched public discussions on a proposed Heritage Fund.

“The NWT is blessed with a vast treasure of non-renewable resources,” said Minister Miltenberger. “However, once these resources are taken out of the ground they are gone forever. Our challenge is to ensure that the transformation of our non-renewable resources to dollars provides a lasting legacy for NWT residents.”

Once devolution of the NWT’s non-renewable resources is achieved, royalty revenues currently flowing to Canada will be paid to NWT governments. Although part of the revenues will be offset by lower federal transfer payments, the GNWT will face a number of choices and opportunities for the use of the net fiscal benefit.

“A Heritage Fund will allow us to protect the net revenues from resource development and make them available for investment in long-term assets for future generations,” Minister Miltenberger said.

With broad support for the concept of a heritage fund from public discussions, Minister Miltenberger says he believes the GNWT can have legislation in place to create a Heritage Fund by the end of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

The Heritage Fund discussion paper is available on the Department of Finance’s web site at www.fin.gov.nt.ca.

Comments on the creation of a Heritage Fund should be submitted by April 30, 2010 to:

Heritage Fund Discussions
Fiscal Policy Division, Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
PO BOX 1320 L-5
YELLOWKNIFE, NT X1A 2L9

Or by e-mail to: Heritage_Fund@gov.nt.ca

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Body Armour Control Act  Posted February 25, 2010  –  Ends March 12, 2010

Background

In July 2009, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General surveyed industry groups, police and security personnel on the proposal to regulate the sale, possession and use of body armour. The feedback received was used to develop the Body Armour Control Act (BACA) which received Royal Assent on October 29, 2009. The new BACA introduces a regulatory framework which places controls on the possession and purchase of body armour in British Columbia.

Increasingly criminals are using body armour to allow them to engage in firearms-related violence; increasing the risks to the public and police. The BACA will enhance public safety by making it difficult for criminals to legally possess or purchase body armour and by providing police with the authority to seize body armour from those who are not authorized to possess it.

The BACA will come into force by regulation in 2010. There will be a six-month transition period for those in possession of body armour to come into compliance with the Act and regulations.

This is a request to Interested Stakeholders to provide input into the development of policy for the new Body Armour Control Act. You are invited to provide feedback on the following framework:

Proposed Framework

1. Types of Body Armour to be Included

It is envisioned that Body Armour Control Act (BACA) Regulations and policy will apply to body armour that is ballistic, stab and/or puncture resistant. This will include trauma plates, inserts and other devices that can be added to the vests over a localized area to increase the wearer’s protection against blunt trauma injuries or projectiles fired from a firearm.

This may include, but not be limited to garments and items which meet the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Standard 0101.06 – Standards for Ballistic resistance of Personal Body Armour, types II,IIA, III, IIIA or IV or National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Standard 0115.00 – Stab Resistance of Personal Body Armour, levels 1, 2 or 3.

1. Body Armour Permit Requirements

Unless exempt under the BACA or Regulations from the requirement to obtain a body armour permit, individuals wanting to possess body armour will be required to make an application to the Registrar of Security Services for a Body Armour Permit. This may include those wanting to possess body armour due to non-violent threats to personal safety related to a sport, hobby or occupation (e.g., sport shooting club members) or individuals with threats to their personal safety of an ongoing nature.

Permit applicants will be required to provide personal information – including name, date of birth and contact information – and will be required to prove a reasonable need for the possession of body armour. In addition, applicants will have to undergo a criminal record check and pay a permit fee (fee estimates at this time are $90 for 5-year term and $45 for renewal).

Once a risk assessment is performed on the applicant, a permit will be issued to the individual allowing them to purchase, wear or possess body armour. A permit holder must carry the permit when in possession of body armour and produce it upon request by a peace officer or inspector.

1. Body Armour Permit Exemptions

There are a number of legitimate uses of body armour where it is required for protection in the course of one’s employment or job-related duties. Among those that will be exempt from the requirement to obtain a body armour permit are individuals employed by police and other enforcement agencies, armoured car guards, security guards, security consultants and private investigators. Proof of exemption will be required to be carried by these individuals when purchasing body armour or when in possession of body armour and will be linked to their security worker license, badge number, employee identification or verification document as applicable.

Exemptions to requiring a permit will also be considered for those individuals who do not reside in British Columbia but require body armour during their stay (i.e., diplomats) and/or individuals with imminent threats to their personal safety.

An individual in an exempt category must carry proof of exemption and produce it upon request by a peace officer or inspector when in possession of body armour.

1. Body Armour Business and Sales Persons Licensing Requirements

Businesses that sell body armour and their employees play an important role in ensuring that purchasers of body armour are authorized to do so. Businesses that sell body armour in British Columbia will be required to obtain a security business license under the Security Services Act to sell body armour, and employees of the business selling the body armour must obtain a security worker licence with licence type Body Armour Sales. Body Armour vendors will also be required to record information about body armour sales to show that sales are made only to people who are authorized to possess body armour.

Feedback on Proposed Policy Framework

There are two options for providing feedback:

1. Download the Proposed Policy Framework [PDF] document and add your feedback in the space provided. Send feedback to contact information included in the document.
2. You may e-mail feedback to Sylvia.Montagnaro@gov.bc.ca. Please identify what part or parts of the Proposed Policy Framework your comment(s) concern: Types of Body Armour to be Included; Permit Requirements; Permit Exemptions; Body Armour Business and Sales Persons Licensing Requirements.

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Feb. 24, 2010

FREDERICTON (CNB) – The provincial government has introduced an amendment to the Insurance Act that will increase its ability to prohibit underwriting and rating practices to all classes of insurance beyond automobile insurance.

Regulations will prohibit using credit scoring for underwriting and rating of property and casualty insurance, including automobile insurance.

New Brunswick will become the first province to introduce such prohibitions. Alberta and Ontario prohibit the use of credit scores, but only for automobile insurance.

“Consumers and regulators are concerned about the increased use of credit scores for underwriting and rating,” said Kelly Lamrock, minister of justice and consumer affairs as well as attorney general.

“It is patently unfair for persons who may have missed a payment on a loan at some point in their lives to have that reflected on their insurance premiums. Further, there are many circumstances that have little or nothing to do with a person’s ability to manage his or her finances – including identity theft, sudden family or medical crises, sudden unemployment or other catastrophic events.”

The provincial government is making these changes to ensure fairness and access to insurance for all consumers.

“As a government we understand that getting affordable insurance can already be challenging enough in some circumstances,” said Lamrock. “We are pleased to bring forward changes to the Insurance Act to provide even greater protection for consumers.”

The Office of the Consumer Advocate and the Insurance Brokers Association of New Brunswick have called for an end to using credit scoring in underwriting and rating.

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2. BC Insurance Act Changes
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The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today welcomed the launch of an unprecedented public consultation with Canadians on financial literacy, as the Task Force on Financial Literacy released a discussion paper entitled Leveraging Excellence.

“All Canadians are working toward a personal goal, be it retiring, buying a home or attending college or university,” said Minister Flaherty. “As these goals have financial implications, Canadians would benefit by becoming better consumers, investors and savers.”

The Task Force, announced by Minister Flaherty as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, released the discussion paper to mark the beginning of a three-month national consultation. The Task Force will meet with Canadians in 15 cities across the country and host an interactive online forum. After consultations are complete, the Task Force will make recommendations to create a national strategy to enhance financial literacy.

“Canadians face a growing number of complex financial decisions that affect their futures and steer our economy,” said Minister Flaherty. “That’s why it is important for Canada to have a national strategy aimed at promoting and strengthening financial literacy.”

Minister Flaherty said financial literacy is a key priority for the Government. He noted that funding has been provided to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada since 2007 to undertake financial literacy initiatives such as The City, an interactive education resource for high-schoolers available from coast to coast to coast.

“Our Government has acted to protect consumers in many areas, from credit card regulations to rules to improve disclosures on loans,” said Minister Flaherty. “Last week, we took a number of measured steps to support the long-term stability of Canada’s housing market and continue to encourage home ownership by Canadians. Having a national strategy to improve financial literacy will be an important means to ensure Canadians are able to make informed and prudent financial decisions throughout their lives.”

Minister Flaherty encouraged all Canadians to take part in the consultations and make their voices heard. Further details about the consultations and the discussion paper are available on the Task Force’s website at www.financialliteracyincanada.com.

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The Civil Forfeiture Act will apply to land and personal property, including cash, and can be applied to unlawful activity up to 10 years prior to it coming into force. The unlawful activity can relate to the Criminal Code, federal drug legislation or provincial law.

The act will provide certain protections to innocent persons with interests in the property being forfeited, including lenders, mortgage holders and other interest holders.

Attorney General Kelly Lamrock said this legislation will give the legal system an additional tool to combat illegal activities in New Brunswick.

“There has been a growing concern that in some cases, there can be a piece of property that is clearly being used for illegal activity but the letter of the law makes it difficult to charge individuals,” Lamrock said. “The classic example is a drug house in a neighbourhood where there can be many occupants, many of whom may not have been charged, but the home is a safe haven for drug activity nonetheless. This new act will make it easier for the attorney general to seize the house itself, even after the drug operation has been shut down, sell the property and use the proceeds to fight crime.”

All proceedings under the act will be brought before the New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench.

The act complements the Management of Seized and Forfeited Property Act that came into force last year. It gives similar powers to the attorney general in the case of criminal convictions.

“It’s important to note that the proceeds from both these acts will be used strictly for crime prevention or law enforcement, victim restitution and the administration of criminal justice,” said Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General John W. Foran. “This will help to put the proceeds where they are most needed and make New Brunswick a safer place.”

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“I am pleased to announce our approach to community energy today, and I look forward to the innovative projects that we will see in New Brunswick as a result of today’s announcement,” said Energy Minister Jack Keir. “Community energy provides a terrific opportunity for interested communities and First Nations to participate actively in the development of renewable energy in our province while contributing to the environmental sustainability of our communities.”

The initial phase will consist of 75 MW, of which 50 MW will be assigned to community-owned projects and the other 25 MW to First Nations projects. Approved projects will receive 10 cents/kWh for electricity produced beginning in 2010. After five years, the price of the electricity produced will increase with the consumer price index in New Brunswick.

To qualify under the policy, projects must not be larger than 15 MW in capacity. They must be majority-owned by First Nations, municipalities, co-operatives, not-for-profit organizations or institutions. New Brunswick-based private corporations and investors may be minority partners.

“As a key component of our government’s energy policy, we are committed to the development of renewable energy in New Brunswick,” said Keir. “The provincial government is, and always will be, focused on providing opportunities for New Brunswickers in all regions of the province to participate in the Energy Hub.”

Eleven workshops will be held between March 8 and 24 to educate interested communities and partners about the policy. A request for expressions of interest will be issued before the end of May to identify and define projects and proponents.

“Supporting community projects and increasing renewable energy capacity in the northern region of our province are objectives identified in An Action Plan for Self-Sufficiency in Northern New Brunswick 2010-2013,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault, who is also the minister responsible for the Northern New Brunswick Initiative. “Community energy is part of our three-year plan to develop the North, and I am proud to support this initiative.”

The Department of Energy, Business New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Enterprise Network will provide guidance and support to Community Energy Policy proponents that come forward. The Department of Energy will have two economic development officers dedicated to helping those interested in the policy. One of the officers will be based in northern New Brunswick.

“I welcome this policy, which will contribute to environmental sustainability by fostering the development of green energy projects that use renewable energy sources including wind, solar and tidal power,” said Environment Minister Rick Miles. “This is a good example of how we can build on the commitments made in the New Brunswick Climate Change Action Plan, and I encourage interested groups to participate.”

More information about the policy is online or may be obtained by contacting the Department of Energy, 506-658-3180.

10/02/09

EDITOR’S NOTE: Following are a backgrounder describing the policy and a schedule of Community Energy Policy workshops. MEDIA CONTACT: Bonnie Doyle Creber, communications, Department of Energy, 506-658-2410.

The Community Energy Policy

Renewable energy is corner stone of the Province of New Brunswick’s energy policy, providing economic development opportunities and creating sustainable communities.

To support the growth of renewable energy in New Brunswick, the provincial government has developed a Community Energy Policy. The goal is to foster the development of locally owned and operated energy projects. It encourages participation from communities and First Nations, providing them the opportunity to contribute significantly to renewable and clean forms of electricity generation.

Community Energy Policy projects are defined as projects under 15 MW that are 51 per cent or more owned by one of the following New Brunswick-based entities: First Nations, municipalities, co-operatives, associations and not-for-profit organizations. The first phase will allow up to 75 MW of community energy projects, of which 25 MW will be allocated to First Nations.

Community Energy Policy projects may be based on biomass resources, wind, solar, small hydro or tidal power. Proponents must demonstrate availability and access to the energy resources being considered and present a viable business case.

Successful proponents will sign a long-term power purchase agreement with the local utility, which will set the initial price of electricity at $0.10 /kWh. This feed-in-tariff will be frozen for the first five years and then escalate with the consumer price index in New Brunswick. Proponents will be responsible for all costs associated with construction and maintenance.

The Department of Energy, with support from Business New Brunswick, the Regional Development Corporation and the New Brunswick Enterprise Network, will provide guidance and support to potential proponents that come forward. The Department of Energy will have two economic development officers dedicated to helping those interested in the policy. One of them will be in northern New Brunswick, the other in the south. A strategic development officer has been assigned from the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat to work with First Nations.

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Some amendments to the Act require that amendments be made to the Regulation under the Act on consumer protection in order to clarify certain rules to implement and provide, in certain circumstances, exemptions.

The Board is seeking comments on the guidelines of regulatory changes that are envisaged to make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Ms Kathleen Weil. The guidelines of the Board are outlined in the table annexed hereto.

The amending Act provides that the entry into force of provisions can not be later than June 30, 2010. Given the delays inherent in the adoption of regulatory changes by the government, you are invited to send us your comments in writing, preferably by email, no later than February 19, 2010 to:

Nicole Ducharme
Office of Consumer Protection
Directorate of Legal Affairs
5199, rue Sherbrooke East, Suite 3671
Montreal, Quebec, H1T 3X2
Email: @ nicole.ducharme opc.gouv.qc.ca

You can see the guidance document by clicking here>>>

Note:
If your comments are passed through an electronic document, we appreciate that it is saved in Word rather than PDF format.

Thank you for your cooperation and please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Louis Borgeat
President

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The relationship between government, academia and industry is a key component of a successful knowledge based economy. Government is a primary research funder, academia is where the research takes place and industry is where the research is commercialised. The nature of this relationship is constantly changing and the current trend is toward greater collaboration. In its recent 12th report the PTC stated, “There is an opportunity to boost the return on … investment by strengthening the linkages between academia where the much of the research takes place and industry where it can be commercialised.”[1]

This has also been identified in the broader Canadian context by The Public Policy Forum, which held a conference entitled Science Day in Canada in July of 2009. Collaboration was one of the key themes of the resulting report, Innovation Nation: Building a Culture and Practice of Innovation in Canada. It noted that in a successful innovation jurisdiction, “Success will depend more than ever on universities, businesses, suppliers, customers and the social sector collaborating more effectively …”, and that “The private sector and research community need to transform the nature of their relationship from a weak, one-way dynamic to a more intensive two-way pattern.”[2]

Through this online discussion the PTC is seeking your ideas and your guidance on how to optimise this relationship.

To view this discussion or participate please visit our consultation website at http://www.ptcconsultation.gov.bc.ca/.

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Consultations to focus on online tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers by business

OTTAWA, January 18, 2010 — The Privacy Commissioner of Canada announced today an upcoming consultation with Canadians on privacy issues related to the online tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers by marketers and other businesses. This will be the first in a series of public consultations focused on emerging technological trends that are likely to have a significant impact on the privacy of Canadians.

“The consultation will equip the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada with a deeper understanding of the practice of tracking, profiling and targeting consumers online,” said Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart. “It will also provide a forum for the exploration of the privacy implications related to this modern industry practice, and the protections that Canadians expect. Our goal, therefore, is to shine a spotlight on this evolving technological trend.”

A second consultation on the privacy issues emerging from the growing movement toward cloud computing will be announced in the near future.

Online consumer tracking

In the practice of online consumer tracking, data about the browsing habits of individuals is collected through digital markers such as cookies. Additional data may be gathered using other technologies, such as deep packet inspection and the global positioning systems (GPS) common in many mobile communications devices.

Individuals themselves, moreover, volunteer significant amounts of personal information, especially through their participation in social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn, and other popular web-based services such as foursquare.

Personal data can be collated and mapped against other types of information to generate detailed personal profiles. Such profiles are valuable to marketers and other enterprises that want to target products or services to people of a particular demographic or with specific purchasing preferences. Companies may also use the information to evaluate the popularity or success of their online products or services.

Proponents say that online consumer tracking, profiling and targeting supports free Internet content, allows people to receive more relevant advertising and discount offers, and promotes the development of useful services. For example, in conjunction with data from sources such as GPS and cellular networks, users can enjoy location-based services that recommend nearby restaurants or keep tabs on the whereabouts of friends.

Critics, however, warn that people may be unaware that their personal information is being collected, and do not understand how it is used. They also argue that, even when the information is anonymous, it can sometimes be combined with other information to identify individuals.

Consultation process begins

The consultation process begins today with a call for participation by interested parties. The Office is inviting written submissions, which will be accepted until March 15, and is also seeking expressions of interest from individuals wanting to take part in formal discussion panels to be held in Toronto in April and Montreal in May. The intent is to canvass a broad range of views from business, government, academics, consumer associations and civil society.

The consultation will give the Office a comprehensive view of the privacy risks associated with the online tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers, and contribute to the development of new public education and outreach materials. It will also help shape the Office’s input into the next parliamentary review of the private-sector Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated by Parliament to act as an ombudsman, advocate and guardian of privacy and the protection of personal information rights of Canadians.

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Corporations Canada is seeking comments on the fees proposed under the Canada Not-for-Profit Act (Bill C-4) and the associated service standards.

Bill C-4 received Royal Assent on June 23, 2009. Before the Act can come into force, the fees and related service standards must first be established in accordance with the User Fees Act process, which is as follows:

1. Public consultation on the proposed fees and related service standards;
2. Publication in the Canada Gazette of a notice setting out the proposed fees and related service standards which provides a timeframe for clients to submit complaints. This notice is published after the public consultation period;
3. Creation of an independent complaint review panel, if complaints received cannot be resolved;
4. Tabling of the proposal in each of the House of Commons and Senate for 20 sitting days for review.

Once the User Fees Act process is complete, the proposed regulations which include the fees, will then need to be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I before final approval can be obtained from Treasury Board.

You can obtain the consultation paper on the proposed fees and related service standards:

• at Corporations Canada’s Website under the heading “What’s New” in the left-hand menu;
• by contacting Corporations Canada directly at 1-866-333-5556 to obtain a copy by mail.

Comments on the proposed fees or service standards may be submitted to Corporations Canada by February 5, 2010. For further information, call 1-866-333-5556 or send an e-mail to corporationscanada@ic.gc.ca.

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