Government Relations Updates

Government Relations updates

The Canadian recreational water quality guidelines – Indicators of fecal contamination, that was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/recreational-water-quality-guidelines-indicators-fecal-contamination.html

The Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality – Boron that was published on Canada.ca on Friday, March 3, 2023.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidelines-canadian-drinking-water-quality-guideline-technical-document-boron.html

Health Canada hosted webinars about the proposed Objective for Canadian Drinking Water Quality –  PFAS on March 2 and 7, 2023 (English and French respectively).  You can access the slides  and a recording of the presentation. The consultation on the objective is open until April 12, 2023.

The Federal Government announced support for businesses

Key Points for CWQA members

1. New Temporary Work Sharing Measures coming into effect today

• • Work Sharing Program (2019) allows employers to keep employees on the payroll without cutting jobs by temporarily reducing hours during slow periods until they can return to full-time hours. EI work sharing benefits then cover part or most of lost wages from reduced hours

2. Launching new Trade Impact Program(through Export Development Canada)

• • Will deploy $5b over two years to help exporters reach new markets & help companies navigate economic challenges posed by tariffs.
  • Provide working capital solutions to help companies managing existing contracts, tackle potential decreases in US sales

3. Making $500m in favorably priced loans available through Business Development Bank of Canada to support impacted businesses in sectors directly targeted by tariffs and companies in their supply chain.

Capital Gains

Mark Carney announced that the government is scrapping the proposed hike on the capital gains tax. The capital gains inclusion rate will stay at 50%. The Carney government will be maintaining the proposed increase in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption limit to $1,250,000 on the sale of small business shares and farming and fishing property.

CWQA  Next Steps:

In light of the potential harmonization of ASSE Series 22000 standards, the CWQA will be sending a letter of concern to Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, Minister Anita Anand.

Additionally, we will be reaching out to the Standard’s Council of Canada, on the recognition of the CWQA certification for water treatment specialists. It is important that we advocate for our training and our certification, as our members are skilled professionals with specific expertise that helps Canadians access clean and safe drinking water.

Additionally, CWQA, will be reaching out to Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Alyson Townsend to ensure that her department is aware of the support other Atlantic provinces have shown to the CWQA’s certification, to discuss its importance with her and her staff.

The CWQA will also be sending a letter of introduction to the new president of Canada’s Water Agency, Mark Fisher, we will be able to continue to collaborate with the Agency as it establishes its main priorities.

CWQA will also extend our thanks to Ministers Tim Halman and Dave Ricey for their attendance at the Groundwater Expo held in Truro, and follow-up with their teams to continue with further collaboration with the CWQA.

We are also continuing our work with the Provincial Well Working Group to ensure that our members are represented in the decision-making process.