Restricted Components Regulations Coming Into Force in Canada

In an effort to hamper the ability of terrorists to manufacture explosives, the Government of Canada has introduced a new Restricted Components Regulations under the Explosives Act.   The regulations designate the following nine explosive precursors as “restricted components”:

- ammonium nitrate in solid form at a concentration between 28 and 34% nitrogen;

- hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of at least 30%, UN numbers: 2015 and 3149;

- nitromethane, UN number: 1261;

- potassium chlorate, UN number: 1485;

- potassium perchlorate, UN number: 1489;

- sodium chlorate in solid form, UN number: 1495;

- nitric acid at a concentration of at least 68%, UN numbers: 2031 and 2032;

- potassium nitrate, UN numbers: 1486 and 1499; and

- sodium nitrate in solid form, UN numbers: 1498 and 1499.

These chemicals were chosen due to their use in past terrorist incidents:

"The two most significant bombing incidents in the United States (U.S.) involving Oklahoma City’s Murrah Federal Building in 1997 and New York City’s World Trade Center in 2001, as well as the deadly attacks on the London mass transit system in July of 2005, all involved explosives made from some of the chemicals that are targeted to be regulated as restricted components under these Regulations."

Only sellers that are "enrolled on the list of sellers of restricted components" will be allowed to sell the above restricted components.  However, there is an exemption that allows the selling of restricted components to laboratories that are affiliated with a post-secondary institution, a hospital or a government agency.

The new regulations, unless specified, only cover pure substances, not mixtures including one or more of the restricted components.  Canada’s Ministry of Natural Resources provides the following clarification:

"Except for the H2O2, the Nitric Acid and the Ammonium nitrate, the other 6 restricted components (including Nitromethane) are currently regulated under their pure form (i.e. 100%)."

A number of rules are placed on sellers of restricted components, which cover items such as security, ensuring only authorized staff have access to the restricted components, do weekly stock inspections to ensure no restricted components have been lost or stolen, record keeping, and obtaining identification from purchasers of these components.  The seller must also obtain very detailed records of sales of components above the following quantities:

- hydrogen peroxide, 1 L;
- nitromethane, 1 L;
- potassium chlorate, 1 kg;
- potassium perchlorate, 10 kg;
- sodium chlorate, 1 kg;
- nitric acid, 3.5 kg;
- potassium nitrate, 25 kg; and
- sodium nitrate, 25 kg

The regulations come into effect on June 1, 2008 for ammonium nitrate and March 1, 2009 for the other 8 chemicals.

Full details about the regulations can be obtained from the Government of Canada.

Advances In Technology Making Coalbed Methane Exploration More Effective

New technologies being used to drill for, and produce, coalbed methane (CBM) gas are making it easier to get out the gas. That’s according to Dr. David Marchioni, one of Canada’s leading CBM geologists, who appeared on Canada’s ROB TV in late April. “Because of advances in the technology, one can be more effective in getting the gas out,” Dr. Marchioni told the reporters on Canada’s leading business television network.

Questioned about how CBM gas was different from conventional natural gas, Dr. Marchioni, who was recently named the Vice President of Exploration for Pacific Asia China Energy (TSX: PCE), responded, “CBM gas is really no different from natural gas.” He added, “It’s really better because it has a very high methane content, generally 90 percent, often much higher than that.”

Marchioni pointed out that coal has a lot of porosity and can hold a lot of gas. “Permeability is the problem with CBM,” he explained. He compared CBM with natural gas, saying, “If you can find the (natural) gas, you can probably get it out.” That’s not always the case with CBM.

China came during Marchioni’s television interview. China nearly always does end up a topic of discussion, when talking about CBM. Because China’s coal mines account for approximately 80 percent of coal mining fatalities, China has campaigned to reduce the number of deaths. China’s state-owned CBM company, China United Coalbed Methane Company, has continued granting CBM concessions to foreign-owned companies to help vent the methane from their coal mines. “The Chinese government is pushing very hard to have their coal mines degassed,” Marchioni said. He explained that the Chinese were beginning to drill for methane before starting their coal mining operations.

“That’s something we’re interested in,” Marchioni told ROB TV. The “we” must be Pacific Asia China Energy, upon whose board he sits as a director in addition to exploration duties. His company has two CBM concessions in China, and Marchioni recently returned from China. Pacific Asia China Energy has also formed a joint venture company with Australia’s largest privately owned drilling company to utilize their highly acclaimed Dymaxion® drilling technology for exclusive use in China. That is an advanced technology in which Chinese coal mining companies have expressed interest in using for their coal mines. Marchioni’s company recently announced initial drilling results on one of their Chinese CBM properties.

As with others, who have recently visited China, Marchioni was overwhelming in his praise for China’s continued modernization process. He joked with us, saying, “I get a better cell phone connection in some rural part of China than I do in some parts of Alberta.” It has been difficult for us to grasp how “modernized” China has become. We’ve heard the same glowing phrases about China expressed by numerous mining insiders who have recently visited this country. All of that commentary didn’t really dawn on us, until this past weekend, while watching the new movie, Mission Impossible 3. Magnificent shots of Shanghai’s skyline filled with ultra-modern office towers and high rise condominiums, where some of the movie was filmed, persuaded us China has indeed moved forward into the 21st century. China has more than 200 cities with populations greater than 1 million, dwarfing any other country on earth. China reportedly has more then 300 million in its middle class. We had better all start learning Mandarin or Cantonese or both.

Canadian Immigration And Health Insurance

My purpose is to discuss the important information that you'll need to know if you are thinking about or planning on moving to Canada as a permanent resident. In this article, we're going to talk about some of the first things you need to do when you arrive in Canada as a permanent resident. Health Insurance Card One of the first things you'll want to do after arriving is apply for health insurance cards for every member of your family. Applications are available in many places, including doctor's offices and pharmacies. These cards allow you to receive care through the Canadian health insurance program for the following services: - Examination and treatment by physicians and most specialists - Many types of surgery - Hospitalization - X-rays and laboratory tests - Immunizations You will not have to pay for these services, these expenses are covered by the taxes that you will be paying as a working Canadian permanent resident. In most provinces in Canada, you can begin receiving medical coverage as soon as you apply. In Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia, however, you must wait 3-months from the date you apply for your coverage to begin. In the meantime, short-term health insurance is available through private companies. You may also want to ask potential employers about their health coverage options as well. Many employers provide additional health insurance benefits that cover expenses, such as prescription drugs and dental care. Social Insurance Number Before you begin working in Canada, you need to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This 9-digit number is used to help you receive the social benefits you are entitled to as a Canadian permanent resident and to ensure that you are paying taxes to help support those benefits. To apply for a SIN, you should visit a local office of the Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSD) to complete an application. You should also bring along your Permanent Resident card to proof your identity and your residency status. The cost of application is $10, and it takes about three weeks for you to receive your card. You can begin working before your receive your SIN card, however. You simply need to provide your employer with proof that you have applied. Employment In most cases, you will also want to begin searching for work almost immediately. It is possible to have a position lined up even before you apply for permanent resident status, but chances are that you'll be unemployed when you first arrive. Depending on the type of work you are searching for, you may first need to apply for permission to engage in that profession. In Canada, some careers are classified as regulated fields. These fields included doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. In order to obtain work in these areas, you will need to contact the regulatory office in the province where you intend to work. The regulations vary from province to province. The regulatory board will have to evaluate your experience and credentials then decide whether you need to take further steps to meet their standards. Some trades, such as carpenter or plumber, are also considered to be regulated. Therefore, you must make sure that you have the appropriate licensing before attempting to work in those fields. Carpentry and plumbing, as well as 43 other trades, are considered Red Seal Trades. This means that the regulations for that trade are the same in all provinces. Therefore, if you are a licensed welder in Quebec, you can also do that type of work in New Brunswick without having to go through another assessment. Fortunately, the majority of jobs in Canada are non-regulated, so you can begin searching for a position in your chosen field as soon as you arrive. One of the best ways to find a position in Canada is to use the Job Bank service. This online site allows you to post up to 3 employee profiles that can be viewed by employers. You can also view postings placed by employers throughout Canada. The daily newspapers in all of the provinces also include job listings.