Environment Canada grants CEPA exemptions from key environmental and antibiotic data requirements for multiple living organisms in the March 28, 2026 Canada Gazette.
Why did I get a shiver up my back reading this? The old expression "someone walked over my grave" comes to mind...
Thank you for doing the digging and sharing the results. However I cannot help but wonder what the living organisms stuff is about?
I dug into those CEPA living organisms notices. They refer to new biotech creations like modified bacteria or cell lines used in medicines and manufacturing. These count as new substances if they are not already common in Canada. Companies must give notice before bringing them here. Waivers let them skip some environmental impact tests. The environment minister approves them one at a time after talking to Health Canada. See the rules at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/evaluating-new-substances/biotechnology-living-organisms/overview-regulations.html.
Thank you for doing this work.
Why did I get a shiver up my back reading this? The old expression "someone walked over my grave" comes to mind...
Thank you for doing the digging and sharing the results. However I cannot help but wonder what the living organisms stuff is about?
I dug into those CEPA living organisms notices. They refer to new biotech creations like modified bacteria or cell lines used in medicines and manufacturing. These count as new substances if they are not already common in Canada. Companies must give notice before bringing them here. Waivers let them skip some environmental impact tests. The environment minister approves them one at a time after talking to Health Canada. See the rules at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/evaluating-new-substances/biotechnology-living-organisms/overview-regulations.html.
Thank you for doing this work.