AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality boron: Analytical and treatment considerations

Analytical methods to detect boron. Standardized methods available for the analysis of total boron in drinking water and their respective MDLs are summarized in Table 3. MDLs are dependent on the sample matrix, instrumentation, and selected operating conditions and will vary between individual laboratories. These methods are subject to a variety of interferences, which are outlined in detail in the respective references. Analysis of boron should be carried out as directed by the responsible drinking water authority. Drinking water utilities should discuss sampling requirements with the accredited laboratory conducting the analysis to ensure that quality control procedures are met and that minimum reporting levels are low enough to ensure accurate monitoring at concentrations below the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC).

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality boron: Monitoring

Source water characterization should be part of routine system assessments. Boron is not widely distributed in source water in Canada and tends to be present at elevated concentrations only in groundwater in certain areas. Therefore, utilities should consult the responsible authority to determine if boron may be present in groundwater in their area before establishing monitoring requirements. When boron is present in source water, the frequency of monitoring is linked to treatment and compliance monitoring as discussed below.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality boron: International considerations

The World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. EPA, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council and the European Commission have developed guidelines or advisory values for boron in drinking water (Table 6). WHO (2011), Australia (NHMRC and NRMCC, 2011) and the European Commission (2020) have set guidelines for boron in drinking water of 2.4, 4 and 1.5 to 2.4 mg/L, respectively. The U.S. EPA does not have a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for boron in drinking water but has established a non-enforceable lifetime health advisory of 5 mg/L (U.S. EPA, 2008). Health advisories serve as informal technical guidance for unregulated drinking water contaminants in the United States. All organizations' values used decreased rat body weights as the critical effect. The differences in the values are attributable to differences in uncertainty factors, allocation factors, body weights and use of BMD modelling versus the NOAEL approach.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality boron: Health considerations and health-based value

covers the literature up to 2012. The present assessment considers the previous data, as well as material published after this period from 2012 to 2018. Health Canada has also previously reviewed the toxicity of boric acid, its salts and its precursors under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (ECCC and Health Canada, 2016), the Pest Control Products Act (Health Canada, 2012, 2016), and the Natural Health Products Regulations (Health Canada, 2007)

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality boron: Exposure considerations

The average total daily boron intake from environmental media, food and drinking water for the general Canadian population ranges from 3 to 92 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day, depending on the age group, with an estimated 3% to 16% of total dietary intake attributable to drinking water (ECCC and Health Canada, 2016). Food is the main source of boron exposure, with fruits and vegetables contributing 40% to 60% of dietary intake (ECCC and Health Canada, 2016). Consumer products can also contribute significantly to total daily intake, with an upper bound exposure estimate of 2819 μg/kg bw per event for direct ingestion of modelling clay by children (ECCC and Health Canada, 2016). Soil, air and dust are likely negligible sources of boron exposure (WHO, 2009; ECCC and Health Canada, 2016). The large range in total daily intake results from the variability of boron in foods, drinking water, and consumer products and their use patterns, and from emissions into the environment from natural weathering and human activities (Becking and Chen, 1998; ECCC and Health Canada, 2016).

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Species sensitivity distributions for water quality guidelines and ecological risk assessment

Canadian ecosystems support significant biodiversity, with approximately 80,000 plant and animal species known to exist in Canada and potentially more yet to be discovered. Some species are more sensitive to particular substances while others may be less affected due to differences in their physiology, behaviours, or geographic distributions.
The Government of Canada publishes water quality guidelines (guidelines) and also develops predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) in their ecological risk assessments. These aim to identify the concentration of a substance in the environment below which adverse effects are unlikely to occur, typically following chronic or long-term exposure.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Recreational water quality and health: Protecting your health

Before your visit, Check for up-to-date water quality monitoring results and swimming advisories on local health department or municipal websites. Pack protective gear such as: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, personal flotation devices (if needed). Talk to your health care provider about the risks of taking part in recreational water activities if you're more susceptible to infections, such as: a senior, someone with a weakened immune system. Follow all posted signs.  After leaving the area. Shower with soap and water as soon as you can after spending time in the water or on the beach. This will wash away microorganisms and any other contaminants. If you become ill after your visit, talk to your healthcare provider. Report your illness to your local public health unit. This can help identify outbreaks of disease related to the recreational water area.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Recreational water quality and health: Hazards

Pathogenic microorganisms are extremely small organisms that may cause disease, and include:bacteria, viruses, parasites. Many different kinds can be present in the water and sand at recreational water areas. Most come from human and animal waste that enters waterways from: swimmers, runoff from farms, discharges of sewage and stormwater. Some pathogens can cause more serious illnesses. For example, Naegleria fowleri causes an extremely rare meningitis that is almost always fatal. It occurs when a person inhales water containing the microorganism. It's commonly found in warm lakes and ponds in tropical and subtropical climates. Most cases are in the southern US, but some have occurred in northern states where water temperatures are similar to those found in parts of Canada. No cases have been reported in Canada to date.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Recreational water quality and health: Cyanobacteria and their toxins

Cyanobacteria are also known as blue-green algae. They're a type of bacteria that occur naturally in fresh and marine bodies of water. There are many types of cyanobacteria, and some can produce harmful toxins called cyanotoxins.
Cyanobacteria can grow quickly in freshwater lakes and rivers under favourable conditions that can include:
slow moving waters
higher water temperatures
an increase of nutrients in the water, such as nitrogen and phosphorus
These conditions can sometimes lead to large cyanobacteria blooms. When a bloom containing toxin-producing cyanobacteria develops, toxins can reach hazardous levels.
Marine waters generally don't have problems with cyanobacteria blooms.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Guidelines for Canadian recreational water quality technical document - Microbiological sampling and analysis

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality consist of multiple guideline technical documents that consider the various factors that could interfere with the safety of recreational waters from a human health perspective. This includes technical documents on understanding and managing risks in recreational waters; fecal indicator organisms; microbiological sampling and analysis; cyanobacteria and their toxins; physical, aesthetic and chemical characteristics; and microbiological pathogens and other biological hazards. These documents provide guideline values for specific parameters used to monitor water quality hazards and recommend science-based risk management strategies.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guideline Technical Document – Microbiological Pathogens and Biological Hazards

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality comprise multiple guideline technical documents that consider the various factors that could interfere with the safety of recreational waters from a human health perspective. This includes technical documents on understanding and managing risks in recreational waters, fecal indicator organisms, microbiological methods for monitoring fecal contamination, cyanobacteria and their toxins, physical, aesthetic, and chemical characteristics, and microbiological pathogens and other biological hazards. These documents provide guideline values for specific parameters used to monitor water quality hazards and recommend science-based monitoring and risk management strategies.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Charter Statement - Bill C-69: An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 16, 2024 (Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1)

Section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act requires the Minister of Justice to prepare a Charter Statement for every government bill to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on government bills. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for inconsistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms [“the Charter”]. By tabling a Charter Statement, the Minister is sharing some of the key considerations that informed the review of a bill for inconsistency with the Charter. A Statement identifies Charter rights and freedoms that may potentially be engaged by a bill and provides a brief explanation of the nature of any engagement, in light of the measures being proposed.

A Charter Statement also identifies potential justifications for any limits a bill may impose on Charter rights and freedoms. Section 1 of the Charter provides that rights and freedoms may be subject to reasonable limits if those limits are prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. This means that Parliament may enact laws that limit Charter rights and freedoms. The Charter will be violated only where a limit is not demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.

A Charter Statement is intended to provide legal information to the public and Parliament on a bill’s potential effects on rights and freedoms that are neither trivial nor too speculative. It is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all conceivable Charter considerations. Additional considerations relevant to the constitutionality of a bill may also arise in the course of Parliamentary study and amendment of a bill. A Statement is not a legal opinion on the constitutionality of a bill.

Organization: Department of Justice Canada | Ministère de la Justice Canada
Charter Statement - Bill C-68: An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (Appropriations Act No.1 2024-25)

Section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act requires the Minister of Justice to prepare a Charter Statement for every government bill to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on government bills. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for inconsistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms [“the Charter”]. By tabling a Charter Statement, the Minister is sharing some of the key considerations that informed the review of a bill for inconsistency with the Charter. A Statement identifies Charter rights and freedoms that may potentially be engaged by a bill and provides a brief explanation of the nature of any engagement, in light of the measures being proposed.

A Charter Statement also identifies potential justifications for any limits a bill may impose on Charter rights and freedoms. Section 1 of the Charter provides that rights and freedoms may be subject to reasonable limits if those limits are prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. This means that Parliament may enact laws that limit Charter rights and freedoms. The Charter will be violated only where a limit is not demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.

A Charter Statement is intended to provide legal information to the public and Parliament on a bill’s potential effects on rights and freedoms that are neither trivial nor too speculative. It is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all conceivable Charter considerations. Additional considerations relevant to the constitutionality of a bill may also arise in the course of Parliamentary study and amendment of a bill. A Statement is not a legal opinion on the constitutionality of a bill.

Organization: Department of Justice Canada | Ministère de la Justice Canada
Charter Statement - Bill C-67: An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024

Section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act requires the Minister of Justice to prepare a Charter Statement for every government bill to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on government bills. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for inconsistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms [“the Charter”]. By tabling a Charter Statement, the Minister is sharing some of the key considerations that informed the review of a bill for inconsistency with the Charter. A Statement identifies Charter rights and freedoms that may potentially be engaged by a bill and provides a brief explanation of the nature of any engagement, in light of the measures being proposed.

A Charter Statement also identifies potential justifications for any limits a bill may impose on Charter rights and freedoms. Section 1 of the Charter provides that rights and freedoms may be subject to reasonable limits if those limits are prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. This means that Parliament may enact laws that limit Charter rights and freedoms. The Charter will be violated only where a limit is not demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.

A Charter Statement is intended to provide legal information to the public and Parliament on a bill’s potential effects on rights and freedoms that are neither trivial nor too speculative. It is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all conceivable Charter considerations. Additional considerations relevant to the constitutionality of a bill may also arise in the course of Parliamentary study and amendment of a bill. A Statement is not a legal opinion on the constitutionality of a bill.

Organization: Department of Justice Canada | Ministère de la Justice Canada
Charter Statement: Bill C-66: An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts (Military Justice System Modernization Act)

Section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act requires the Minister of Justice to prepare a Charter Statement for every government bill to help inform public and Parliamentary debate. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for inconsistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter). By tabling a Charter Statement, the Minister is sharing some of the key considerations that informed the review of a bill for inconsistency with the Charter. A Statement identifies Charter rights and freedoms that may potentially be engaged by a bill and provides a brief explanation of the nature of any engagement, in light of the measures being proposed.

A Charter Statement also identifies potential justifications for any limits a bill may impose on Charter rights and freedoms. Section 1 of the Charter provides that rights and freedoms may be subject to reasonable limits if those limits are prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. This means that Parliament may enact laws that limit Charter rights and freedoms. The Charter will be violated only where a limit is not demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.

A Charter Statement is intended to provide legal information to the public and Parliament on a bill’s potential effects on rights and freedoms that are neither trivial nor too speculative. It is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all conceivable Charter considerations. Additional considerations relevant to the constitutionality of a bill may also arise in the course of Parliamentary study and amendment of a bill. A Statement is not a legal opinion on the constitutionality of a bill.

Organization: Department of Justice Canada | Ministère de la Justice Canada
Charter Statement: Bill C-65: An Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act (Electoral Participation Act)

Section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act requires the Minister of Justice to prepare a Charter Statement for every government bill to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on government bills. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for inconsistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms [“the Charter”]. By tabling a Charter Statement, the Minister is sharing some of the key considerations that informed the review of a bill for inconsistency with the Charter. A Statement identifies Charter rights and freedoms that may potentially be engaged by a bill and provides a brief explanation of the nature of any engagement, in light of the measures being proposed.

A Charter Statement also identifies potential justifications for any limits a bill may impose on Charter rights and freedoms. Section 1 of the Charter provides that rights and freedoms may be subject to reasonable limits if those limits are prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. This means that Parliament may enact laws that limit Charter rights and freedoms. The Charter will be violated only where a limit is not demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.

A Charter Statement is intended to provide legal information to the public and Parliament on a bill’s potential effects on rights and freedoms that are neither trivial nor too speculative. It is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all conceivable Charter considerations. Additional considerations relevant to the constitutionality of a bill may also arise in the course of Parliamentary study and amendment of a bill. A Statement is not a legal opinion on the constitutionality of a bill.

Organization: Department of Justice Canada | Ministère de la Justice Canada
Water Talk - Drinking Water Quality in Canada

Responsibility for the quality of drinking water is shared by all levels of government. The federal government plays a key role in the area of drinking water by, among other things, leading the development of guidelines for drinking water and providing scientific and technical expertise to the provincial and territorial governments, through the Federal-
Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water. As part of their management responsibilities, the provinces and territories are generally in charge of regulating drinking water systems, including setting quality standards and managing source waters, treatment plants and distribution systems. Municipalities are usually responsible for the actual treatment and distribution of drinking water to the public,
except private home owners who draw drinking water from a source on their property. Because of the complexity of water issues, effective collaboration is key to maintaining drinking water quality.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Draft technical document guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality - Antimony: Health considerations, derivation of health-based value

There are limited data on the toxicological effects of antimony in humans. The majority of the human data in the literature come from the reported side effects observed during therapeutic applications of antimony-based drugs (antimonials). Side effects observed following therapeutic-level doses include GI tract distress, cardiotoxicity, pancreatitis, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity (Hepburn et al., 1994; Oliveira et al., 2009, 2011; Mlika et al., 2012; Wise et al., 2012). Although these studies provide useful insight into the potential effects following antimony exposure, the relevance of these reported effects following environmental exposures is uncertain due to the poor absorption of antimony compounds.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Draft technical document guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality - Antimony: Exposure considerations

Canadians can be exposed to antimony via food, drinking water, air and consumer products. Exposure to antimony trioxide and antimony containing substances (11 inorganic compounds) has been assessed previously (Environment Canada and Health Canada, 2010; ECCC and Health Canada, 2020). This section builds on those exposure assessments. Exposure to antimony through environmental media, food and water is expected to be low with average daily intakes of total antimony estimated at 0.019 to 0.057 µg/kg body weight (bw) per day and the highest intake (that is, 0.27 µg/kg bw per day) estimated in infants aged up to 6 months. Food (including breast milk and beverages; range 68% to 80%) and, to a lesser extent, drinking water (range 17% to 29%) have been identified as the main contributors for exposure (ECCC and Health Canada, 2020). Based on these estimated daily intakes, a source allocation factor of 30% is considered appropriate for drinking water.

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Draft technical document guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality - Antimony: Management strategies, international consideration

Management strategies. All water utilities should implement a risk management approach, such as the source-to-tap or water safety plan approach, to ensure water safety (CCME, 2004; WHO, 2011, 2012). These approaches require a system assessment to characterize the source water, describe the treatment barriers that prevent or reduce contamination, identify the conditions that can result in contamination, and implement control measures. Operational monitoring is then established, and operational/management protocols are instituted (for example, standard operating procedures, corrective actions and incident responses). Compliance monitoring is determined and other protocols to validate the water safety plan are implemented (for example, record keeping, consumer satisfaction). Operator training is also required to ensure the effectiveness of the water safety plan at all times (Smeets et al., 2009).

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada
Canadian recreational water quality guidelines - Indicators of fecal contamination: Development of updated guidelines

Several significant changes have been included in the current fecal indicator guidelines. This includes moving away from using GM and SSM's to using BAVs for day-to-day beach management (based on data from the most recent epidemiological studies), recommending PCR-based monitoring methods in addition to culture-based methods and encouraging the use of MST and the development of alternative criteria (where appropriate).

Organization: Health Canada | Santé Canada