The Government of the Northwest Territories emphasizes its commitment to energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases.

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance released its 2009 National Energy Efficiency Report Card on August 19, downgrading the Northwest Territories from a B+ in 2007 to a C. According to the report, the NWT follows the National Building Code of Canada, which fails in its energy efficiency objectives, particularly in northern climates. While no NWT building code exists, NWT building standards are beyond those of the National Building Code.

“GNWT buildings are required to meet energy efficiency requirements of the Federal EcoENERGY program for new buildings,” said Minister of Environment and Natural Resources J. Michael Miltenberger. “This program follows the same requirements as the discontinued Commercial Building Incentive Program (CBIP), and means all buildings must be 25% more energy efficient than a comparable building built to the minimum requirements of the National Building Code.”

The NWT Housing Corporation has developed its own brand, ecobuild80plus, to reflect its commitment to designing, building and retrofitting houses that meet or exceed EnerGuide 80. The corporation is in the process of developing enclosure designs that will exceed these standards.

Approximately half of all residences in the NWT are in the City of Yellowknife, which has energy efficiency standards for residential buildings. Effective January 1, 2011, a minimum score of 80 on the EnerGuide for New Houses rating system will be mandatory. The City of Yellowknife also requires that all commercial, institutional and industrial buildings comply with a minimum energy efficiency building standard that is 25% higher than the minimum requirements of the National Building Code.

“It is unfortunate the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance didn’t take into account the code requirements we do follow for all GNWT buildings, NWT Housing Corporation buildings and buildings in the City of Yellowknife,” said Miltenberger. “We are committed to increasing the energy efficiency of all buildings across the Northwest Territories, and continue to work with other organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the cost of living.”

The GNWT continues to support and maintain a range of energy efficiency programs and initiatives.

The Energy Efficiency Incentive Program is administered by the Arctic Energy Alliance and encourages residents and businesses to purchase energy efficient appliances to reduce their energy consumption and greenhouse gases. With the cancelation of the federal ecoEnergy retrofit program, the GNWT added rebates for residential insulation, doors, windows, and drain water heat recovery systems. This program has been in effect since 2007 and has provided over $1.4 million in rebates to NWT residents.

The Alternative Energy Technologies Program is available to assist Aboriginal and community governments, GNWT departments, boards and agencies, non-profit organizations, commercial businesses, including off-grid camps and lodges, and NWT residents, to install alternative energy systems to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases.

The Energy Conservation Program was developed to help community-funded departments, boards and agencies, and non-profit organizations reduce their use of electrical and heat energy, and water. The program funds upgrades to existing lighting, heating, ventilation, water and electrical systems. These projects increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases.

The 16th Legislative Assembly has taken bold steps to reduce waste, encourage the development of renewable energy, and implement energy efficiency initiatives and programs. Programs include the Beverage Container Program, the Single-Use Retail Bag Program, the Waste Paper Products Initiative, and numerous renewable energy pilot projects. A priority of this Assembly is to ensure the environment will sustain present and future generations. This commitment is supported by $60 million dedicated to renewable energy projects under the energy priority investment. This includes biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, residual heat recovery, and other energy projects.

For more information, contact:

Megan Holsapple
Office of the Press Secretary
Premier & Executive Council
(867) 669-2302

The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport intends to establish a provincial framework to guide the development of air quality objectives. For more information, including the consultation paper on which the ministry is seeking comments, see Proposed Provincial Framework for the Development of Ambient Air Quality Objectives.

Health Canada is currently conducting a consultation on its proposed policy for mandatory reporting requirements under the proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). The purpose of this consultation document is to provide you with important information related to this proposal and to solicit your input regarding Health Canada’s proposal on how it would implement Clause 14 of the Bill, which sets out duties in the event of a product safety incident.

The proposed CCPSA would replace Part I of the Hazardous Products Act and introduce a new regulatory regime for consumer products. One of the shortcomings identified in the Hazardous Products Act is the absence of any requirement for suppliers to report incidents and defects related to health and safety.

Provisions requiring mandatory reporting of such incidents and product defects are common features of modernized consumer product safety regimes.

The mandatory reporting provision of the proposed CCPSA (Clause 14) would allow for a proactive and efficient means for responding to dangers posed by consumer products. Mandatory reporting would help implement the Government’s second and third pillars of the Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan: targeted oversight and rapid response. Reports of incidents are expected to be a major source of information about potential unreasonable dangers posed by consumer products, and by requiring that they be reported up the supply chain and to Health Canada, the Government can monitor whether the manufacturer or importer has taken appropriate measures where necessary to mitigate the risk of further potential injury or illness.

The consultation document contains draft interpretation and guidance for suppliersⁱ in anticipation of the mandatory reporting requirements described in Clause 14 of the proposed CCPSA. For the most recent version of the Bill, users should consult the text available on the  Parliament of Canada website.

Specifically, the consultation document covers:

1. general interpretation for reporting incidents;
2. specific interpretations for incidents under 14(1)(a) through (d); and
3. reporting – who, what, when, how, including draft incident report form for reporting online.

The content has been based on policy developed for the drafting of the proposed Act and incorporates feedback from consultations with industry and other stakeholders. Where appropriate, this draft policy has been aligned with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) and the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) both of whom have mandatory reporting.

How to Get Involved

This consultation is open for comment starting July 19^th, 2010 until October 1^st, 2010.

Some questions related to this regulatory proposal have been developed for your consideration and to promote discussion. These can be found at the end of the document mentioned above. Comments do not need to be restricted to answering the questions. Any comments related to this document will be taken into consideration.

Once you select the link for the consultation document, you will be able to read the background and considerations, and submit your comments via email, by mail or by fax to:

• CCPSA-LCSPC@hc-sc.gc.ca
• Consultation on the Policy for Mandatory Reporting
  Consumer Product Safety Directorate
  Health Canada
  123 Slater Street, 4th floor
  Address Locator: 3504D
  Ottawa, Ontario
  K1A 0K9

Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions by October 1^st, 2010.

Additional Information

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act

Reporting to Canadians

Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this website. If you have any questions, contact us at CCPSA-LCSPC@hc-sc.gc.ca.

OTTAWA, July 20, 2010 – The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced a review of the Revised Foreign Investment Policy in Book Publishing and Distribution, which will include consultations with individuals and organizations interested in Canadian books.

“As the digital world creates new opportunities for Canadians to discover and connect with Canadian-authored books, it is critical that we foster innovation, efficiency, and healthy competition in Canada’s book industry,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government demonstrated its commitment to the future of Canadian-authored books in 2009, when we renewed funding over five years to help the Canadian-owned book industry keep pace in a changing environment. The review announced today seeks to ensure that Canada’s foreign investment policy for the book sector reflects new realities and supports our goal of ensuring that readers everywhere have access to a wide range of Canadian-authored books.”

Since the current policy was introduced in 1985 and revised in 1992, a number of developments–including the proliferation of digital technologies, consolidation of ownership, and increased globalization–have altered Canada’s landscape for both the book industry and consumers.

The Competition Policy Review Panel’s final report highlighted the importance of reviewing cultural policies in light of the changing context in which they operate, while recognizing the unique nature of the cultural sector. The policy review announced today is yet another example of this Government’s commitment to deliver on the Panel’s recommendations.

The online consultations, which begin today and close on September 18, 2010, will seek Canadians’ feedback on the impacts of the policy to date and on how best to meet its objectives going forward. Further details about the key themes being considered can be found in a discussion paper posted on the consultation website. For more information on the review and on how to participate in the consultation, visit www.pch.gc.ca/bookconsultation.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

Health Canada is currently conducting a consultation on its proposed policy for mandatory reporting requirements under the proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). The purpose of this consultation document is to provide you with important information related to this proposal and to solicit your input regarding Health Canada’s proposal on how it would implement Clause 14 of the Bill, which sets out duties in the event of a product safety incident.

The proposed CCPSA would replace Part I of the Hazardous Products Act and introduce a new regulatory regime for consumer products. One of the shortcomings identified in the Hazardous Products Act is the absence of any requirement for suppliers to report incidents and defects related to health and safety.

Provisions requiring mandatory reporting of such incidents and product defects are common features of modernized consumer product safety regimes.

The mandatory reporting provision of the proposed CCPSA (Clause 14) would allow for a proactive and efficient means for responding to dangers posed by consumer products. Mandatory reporting would help implement the Government’s second and third pillars of the Food and Consumer Safety Action Plan: targeted oversight and rapid response. Reports of incidents are expected to be a major source of information about potential unreasonable dangers posed by consumer products, and by requiring that they be reported up the supply chain and to Health Canada, the Government can monitor whether the manufacturer or importer has taken appropriate measures where necessary to mitigate the risk of further potential injury or illness.

The consultation document contains draft interpretation and guidance for suppliersⁱ in anticipation of the mandatory reporting requirements described in Clause 14 of the proposed CCPSA. For the most recent version of the Bill, users should consult the text available on the Parliament of Canada website.

Specifically, the consultation document covers:

1. general interpretation for reporting incidents;
2. specific interpretations for incidents under 14(1)(a) through (d); and
3. reporting – who, what, when, how, including draft incident report form for reporting online.

The content has been based on policy developed for the drafting of the proposed Act and incorporates feedback from consultations with industry and other stakeholders. Where appropriate, this draft policy has been aligned with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) and the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) both of whom have mandatory reporting.

How to Get Involved

This consultation is open for comment starting July 19^th, 2010 until October 1^st, 2010.

Some questions related to this regulatory proposal have been developed for your consideration and to promote discussion. These can be found at the end of the document mentioned above. Comments do not need to be restricted to answering the questions. Any comments related to this document will be taken into consideration.

Once you select the link for the consultation document, you will be able to read the background and considerations, and submit your comments via email, by mail or by fax to:

• CCPSA-LCSPC@hc-sc.gc.ca
• Consultation on the Policy for Mandatory Reporting
  Consumer Product Safety Directorate
  Health Canada
  123 Slater Street, 4th floor
  Address Locator: 3504D
  Ottawa, Ontario
  K1A 0K9

Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions by October 1^st, 2010.

Additional Information

• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act

Reporting to Canadians

Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this website. If you have any questions, contact us at CCPSA-LCSPC@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Distracted driving consultation now underway

WHITEHORSE – Yukon citizens are asked to participate in the 2010 distracted driving
consultation by filling out a survey and providing comments.
“This initiative is the result of a motion that received unanimous consent of the Yukon
Legislative Assembly to consult with Yukoners on the use of cell phones and other
electronic handheld devices while driving or operating a motor vehicle,” Highways and
Public Works Minister Archie Lang said.

Copies of the survey will be arriving in Yukon mail boxes this week. Survey results will
help determine what changes to the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) will be brought forward.

The MVA is a law that addresses public safety by ensuring operators and their vehicles
conform to legal requirements while travelling in Yukon.

For more information on the consultation or for additional copies of the survey visit
www.hpw.gov.yk.ca, call 667-3146 or 1-800-661-0408, extension 3146.

The distracted driving consultation runs from July 16 to August 13.

Contact:

Roxanne Vallevand
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7949
roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca
Jennifer Magnuson
Communications, Highways & Public Works
867-667-3146
jennifer.magnuson@gov.yk.ca

Minister of Finance Releases Final Regulations to Enhance Protection for Private Pension Plan Members

Ottawa, June 25, 2010
2010-060

Related Document:

• Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement
• Regulations Amending Certain Regulations made under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced that the Government has finalized regulations relating to federally regulated private pension plans that will enhance protection for plan members, reduce funding volatility and modernize the rules for investments by pension funds.

The regulations follow up on the draft regulations that were announced on May 3, 2010, and published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on May 8, 2010 for public comment.

“These amendments reflect financial market volatility in recent years, which points to the need to enhance protection for plan members,” said Minister Flaherty. “The changes also modernize the rules for pension fund investments and give plan sponsors greater flexibility in terms of investment allocation to allow them to better manage their funding obligations.”

The amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 include:

• A new standard that uses average-rather than current-solvency ratios to determine minimum funding requirements. This will soften the impact of short-term market fluctuations on a plan’s solvency funding requirements.
• Limiting contribution holidays unless the solvency ratio exceeds full funding plus a new solvency margin, set at a level of five per cent of solvency liabilities. This measure will enhance benefit security by helping to maintain a cushion of pension plan assets.
• A modernized investment framework that removes the limits on the amounts pension plans can invest in resource and real property investments. This will offer greater latitude in building a prudent fund portfolio.

The regulations are part of the modernized federal pension framework announced on October 27, 2009. The Government intends to make additional changes to the legislative and regulatory framework in the coming months.

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions will provide guidance shortly on the implementation of the new funding rules to help plans prepare their December 2009 actuarial reports. More details can be found at www.osfi.gc.ca .

The regulations will be published in the July 7, 2010, edition of the Canada Gazette, Part II.

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced the launch of the Task Force for the Payments System Review to help guide the evolution of the payments system in Canada.

“Today, Canadians can pay for things in a bewildering number of ways, even by tapping a cell phone against a scanner,” said Minister Flaherty. “It is important to ensure the payments system facilitates the introduction of new and exciting technologies to the benefit of users without compromising Canadian safety and efficiency or consumer protection.”

The task force fulfills a commitment made in Budget 2010 to review the safety, soundness and efficiency of the payments system; whether there is sufficient innovation in the payments system; the competitive landscape; whether businesses and consumers are being well served by payments system providers; and whether current payments system oversight mechanisms remain appropriate. The task force will be chaired by Pat Meredith, an expert on financial sector strategy with a particular focus on payments issues.

“Technology and the Internet have fundamentally changed the way Canadians access and spend their money,” said Ms. Meredith. “The work of the task force will therefore be dynamic and thoughtful, with the broad aim of laying the foundation towards making our payments system a leader and an example for the rest of the world to follow.”

The task force, which will begin work immediately, is mandated to provide the Minister of Finance with recommendations by the end of 2011. In the coming weeks, the task force will invite submissions from stakeholders and all interested Canadians. More information will be available soon at www.PaymentSystemReview.ca.

OTTAWA – The Government of Canada today reinforced its commitment to deliver tougher legislation to protect Canadian families from unsafe products as Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq toured the Health Canada Product Safety Laboratory in Ottawa. During her visit, the Minister was shown product safety testing methods used by Health Canada scientists and engineers, and also viewed banned products such as baby walkers and other recalled products such as toys, cribs and children’s jewellery.

“The safety and well-being of Canadian families and children remain a top priority for our government,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Canada’s current product safety law is now over 40 years old and we need to do more to update and improve this law to help protect our families from harmful products. We can do better and our government is taking action to ensure that happens.”

The Minister highlighted that millions of Canadian consumers are affected by recalls every year. In 2009 alone, Health Canada posted over 300 voluntary recall notices, approximately one-third of which were for children’s products.

“For these reasons, our Government is committed to reintroducing the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act,” continued Minister Aglukkaq. “This updated law means Canadians would be better protected from dangerous products that have no business in our homes or near our children. I look forward to speaking with you about the Act in greater detail in the coming days.”

The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act would give the Government the authority to issue mandatory recalls for dangerous consumer products, and provide new tools to quickly and effectively protect the health and safety of Canadians.

To learn more about which products are banned or which have special safety requirements in Canada , please read Health Canada ‘s fact sheet on Second-Hand Products & Garage Sale Safety.

For information on consumer products that have been voluntarily recalled, please check the Consumer Product Safety Database.

Related Documents:

• Letter from the Minister of Finance to Ms. Nancy Hughes Anthony
• Letter from the Minister of Finance to Mr. Dan Danyluk
• Letter from the Minister of Finance to Mr. Gerald M. Soloway

“We intend to prevent banks from using their web pages to promote non-authorized insurance products, which is not permitted in their branches,” said Minister Flaherty. “These measures were made necessary by the evolving use of technology by banks.”

In a letter to Canadian financial stakeholders, Minister Flaherty outlined the proposed regime that would apply to the promotion of insurance on the web pages of banks and federally regulated trust and loan companies. This regime would clearly distinguish between authorized insurance products, such as credit and travel-related insurance, and non-authorized products, such as life, property and casualty insurance.

The regime would:

• Prohibit the promotion of, or web links to, non-authorized insurance from all banking web pages.
• Allow only the corporate web page of a bank, where no financial products are promoted, to display links to insurance subsidiaries dealing in non-authorized insurance.

Draft regulations will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, giving stakeholders an opportunity to provide comments.