6 Surprising Things the Government of Canada Did This Week
From North American trade deals to the price of music at theme parks, here is a look at the details you missed in the government’s official newspaper.
The Canada Gazette is the official newspaper of the Government of Canada. Every week, it publishes new laws, regulations, and public notices. While it might seem like a dense and formal document, it contains fascinating details about the machinery of government and how its work affects your daily life in unexpected ways.
Each edition provides a snapshot of the country's priorities. You can find everything from major policy consultations to minor administrative changes. Hidden within its pages are stories about international trade, domestic business disputes, and the rules that shape our communities.
This week’s edition is no exception. We read through it to find the most interesting and impactful updates. Here are six surprising things the Government of Canada was working on this week.
1. The Government Wants Your Opinion on North American Trade
The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA, is the foundational trade deal that governs North America's economy. It affects everything from the auto parts in your car to the food on your table. In 2026, the three countries will conduct the first joint review of the agreement to ensure it is still working for everyone.
In preparation, Global Affairs Canada has launched a second round of public consultations. The government is actively seeking your views and experiences on what parts of CUSMA are working well and what areas need improvement. This is a direct opportunity for you to influence Canada’s position on one of the world's largest trading blocs.
The notice encourages input from all Canadians, including businesses, Indigenous peoples, labour unions, and civil society organizations. The government is particularly interested in hearing from traditionally under-represented groups. Your feedback will help shape Canada's preparations for the 2026 review and ensure the agreement supports our collective prosperity and competitiveness. Submissions are open until November 3, 2025.
2. Hundreds of Canadian Charities Are Losing Their Status
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) lists organizations that have had their charitable status revoked. This week, the list is long, featuring hundreds of organizations from across the country. The reasons vary, but the most common one is a failure to meet the filing requirements of the Income Tax Act.
Running a registered charity comes with strict obligations, including filing an annual information return. When organizations fail to do this, they risk losing their status. This means they can no longer issue official donation receipts and are no longer exempt from income tax.
The list includes a wide range of organizations, such as community resource centres, historical societies, youth groups, local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, and even a public health association in Hamilton, Ontario. It serves as a reminder of the administrative responsibilities that come with charitable status and the consequences of not meeting them.
3. The Surprising Fights Over Everyday Products
Have you ever wondered how an imported product gets classified for customs duties? The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) regularly hears appeals from companies who disagree with the Canada Border Services Agency’s decisions, and the details are often fascinating.
This week, two notable appeals are on the docket:
Dollarama is appealing the classification of its "4-piece rubber tennis balls with paw print." The government classified them as "other articles of vulcanized rubber." Dollarama argues they should be classified as "lawn-tennis balls" or "other balls."
GoodMorning.com Inc. is appealing the classification of a bed frame. The government says it is "other metal furniture." The company argues it should be classified as a "mechano-therapy appliance" and be eligible for duty relief as a product designed to alleviate the effects of a disability.
These cases highlight the complex and highly specific rules that govern international trade. The outcome determines the duties paid on thousands of products you see on store shelves, and it all comes down to precise definitions.
4. How Much Theme Parks Pay for Music
When you visit a theme park or water park, the music playing in the background is part of the experience. But that music is not free. The Copyright Board of Canada has certified the tariffs that these venues must pay to the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) for the years 2026 to 2028.
For most theme parks and water parks, the royalty payable is:
$3.36 per 1,000 people in attendance on days when music is played.
An additional 1.5% of all direct costs for live entertainment.
For Canada's Wonderland and similar large operations, the rate is higher:
$7.27 per 1,000 people in attendance.
The same 1.5% of live music costs.
This tariff structure ensures that the creators of the music you hear get compensated for their work. It is another example of a detailed regulatory system operating behind the scenes of your everyday life.
5. Your Federal Coworker Might Be Running for Local Office
Federal public servants are also active members of their communities, and some choose to run for municipal office. To do so, they must first seek and receive permission from the Public Service Commission of Canada to ensure their political activities do not conflict with their public duties.
This week, the Commission granted permission to several federal employees to run in upcoming municipal elections this fall. The list includes employees from various departments:
An employee from Fisheries and Oceans Canada is running for councillor in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador.
An employee from the Canada Revenue Agency is a candidate for councillor in L'Île-Perrot, Quebec.
An employee from Indigenous Services Canada is seeking a councillor seat in Gatineau, Quebec.
An employee from Shared Services Canada is running for councillor and mayor in Papineauville, Quebec.
This process balances an individual’s right to participate in democratic life with the need to maintain an impartial public service.
6. Your Office Air Quality Is on the Government's Mind
Many Canadians spend their workdays in office buildings, and the quality of the air they breathe can have a significant impact on their health and productivity. Health Canada has just given notice of new guidance documents focused on improving indoor air quality in these settings.
The guidance is intended for employers, building owners, and operators. It promotes best practices for maintaining good indoor air quality and for managing and resolving issues when they arise. The documents apply to non-industrial workplaces of any size, including buildings with meeting rooms, lunchrooms, and small kitchens.
A separate guide is available for professionals like heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning specialists and occupational hygienists. This guide provides more technical information on the health effects of specific contaminants and approaches to managing air sampling and monitoring. This initiative shows a proactive approach to protecting the health of workers in office environments across the country.
The work of government is often complex and detailed, but it is not distant from your daily life. From the grand scope of international trade to the specific rules for charities and consumer products, the notices in the Canada Gazette show a system constantly at work. After seeing this week’s updates, what will you be paying attention to next week?
Sources:
Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 159, No. 38. (2025, September 20).