On 22 November 2023, the finalized regulations enacted under the Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA) were published, with registration-related requirements expected to come into force beginning in November 2024 and the remainder in September 2025. The RPAA and Retail Payment Activities Regulations make up Canada’s new retail payment supervisory regime overseen by the Bank of Canada, Canadaâs central bank.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has recently provided public comments to industry professionals concerning its enforcement plans related to the importation of goods suspected to be mined, manufactured, or produced with forced or child labor.
Canada implemented an import prohibition on goods mined, manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced labor as of 1 July 2020, when Parliament amended the Customs Tariff (tariff item no. 9897.00.00) to reflect Canada’s new obligations under the USMCA (Article 23.6: Forced or Compulsory Labor).
On 5 October 2023, the Canadian Securities Administrators published guidance on dealing in Stablecoins, including by imposing updated terms and conditions for crypto asset trading platforms that offer Stablecoins, and requiring issuers of certain Stablecoins to provide undertakings in a form substantially acceptable to the regulators by 1 December 2023.
Through the Canadian Labour and Employment Law blog, our lawyers provide legal updates and practical insights to help clients understand, prepare for and respond to the latest domestic and cross-border Labour and Employment issues affecting Canadian and multinational employers.
2023 has proven to be another dynamic year under the Government of Canada’s trade agenda, which showed no signs of slowing over the summer. From May to August 2023, the Government passed into law novel supply chain transparency legislation and introduced amendments and legislative proposals that are impacting, or will impact, compliance with Canadian customs, export controls, and economic sanctions legislation.
Watch the companion videos highlighting our compliance tips in relation to developments in Canadian customs, sanctions, export controls, and forced labor laws.
On 21 September 2023, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-56 or the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act (âBill C-56â), broad legislation that includes amendments to the Competition Act that, if adopted, will repeal the efficiencies defense in mergers, expand the scope of agreements and arrangements subject to the civil competitor collaboration provision, and permit public interest market studies. The proposed amendments to the Competition Act align with the Prime Ministerâs recent announcement that the federal government would take action to enhance competition and drive down prices for Canadians, with a special focus on the grocery sector.
On 21 September 2023, Canada announced amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations (the âRegulationsâ) in response to âacts of significant corruptionâ. These amendments list an additional three individuals under the Schedule of the Regulations and took effect on 20 September 2023. This follows Canadaâs appointment of a new ambassador of Canada to Haiti, AndrĂ© François Giroux, on 18 September 2023.
It is frequently observed that children are especially impacted by advertising, and special attention must be paid when marketing to them. Historically, with the exception of Quebec, which has prohibited virtually all forms of commercial advertising directed at children under the age of 13 since 1980, Canada did not specifically restrict advertising targeted at children. However, driven by growing concerns due to increases in obesity and chronic diseases, plans have now emerged to tackle these issues, including three recent developments enacted by the food and beverage industry, the federal Parliament, and Health Canada, respectively.
On 14 September 2023, Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (the âRegulationsâ) in an effort to impose costs on the Iranian regime for gross and systemic human rights violations. These amendments list an additional six individuals under Schedule 1 of the Regulations and is the 14th set of amending regulations issued by Canada since October 2022. As of the most recent amendments, Canada has sanctioned 176 Iranian individuals and 192 Iranian entities.
Baker McKenzie is pleased to invite you to a morning breakfast symposium exploring the legal ramifications of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution on 11 October 2023 at 8:00 to 10:30 am ET. This event is ideal for corporate counsel and senior leaders responsible for managing the risks and leveraging the opportunities of the AI revolution, and for those wishing to learn more. It will take place in our Toronto office.