Interpretation Policy

Purpose

This document outlines the commitments, practices, and tools applied by the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) when providing Canadians and businesses with information and guidance on regulatory obligations to be met. It also identifies the conditions under which written responses to questions will be provided.

Organizational Context

The CDC is responsible for regulatory instruments under the Canadian Dairy Commission Act. The CDC’s regulatory instruments serve mostly to balance the supply of Canadian dairy products against the overall demand by establishing federal quota, to authorize the setting of levies and charges, and to offer marketing opportunities to Canadian dairy stakeholders.

Predictability

The CDC commits to respond to regulatory questions in a timely manner and to provide client-focused, helpful, and consistent responses to regulatory interpretation questions. Responses will be communicated in the form in which they are received (i.e. written questions will be responded to in writing).

          Plain Language Commitment

Responses to regulatory questions will be communicated in the official language in which the question was posed. The CDC will ensure that all information about regulations as well as responses to regulatory questions are clear, relevant, objective, easy to understand and useful.

Providing Guidance and Building Awareness

The CDC website includes resources and reference materials regarding its programs. Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) can be found at CDC FAQ web link (http://www.cdc-ccl.gc.ca/CDC/index-eng.php?link=156). Since the CDC’s regulations serve mainly to enable programs and marketing opportunities for Canadian dairy stakeholders, the CDC builds awareness by communicating with target audiences about available programs and services. This includes, but is not limited to, communicating through web content, information bulletins, news releases, exhibits, trade shows and seminars and social media (Twitter).

Responding to Questions

The CDC commits to respond to regulatory questions in accordance with the service commitment listed below.

In addition, general stakeholder inquiries about regulations are received by Regulation-Reglementation@agr.gc.ca or (613) 792-2000 (CDC’s general enquiries telephone line). Regulatory questions received are forwarded to the appropriate regulatory analyst for response.

Note that verbal and e-mail responses to questions about regulations are not considered legally binding. Written interpretive responses are binding on the CDC if all the material facts have been submitted, are accurate, and remain substantially unchanged. Furthermore, the interpretation applies only to the party requesting the interpretation.

Service

Service Commitment

The CDC is committed to delivering high quality service when responding to questions related to regulatory interpretation because we understand the importance of the dairy industry to our economy and communities.

At the CDC, we are client-focused and accountable to our stakeholders. We pride ourselves in providing timely and accurate information. We strive to achieve the following service standards when replying to questions related to regulatory interpretation.

Under normal circumstances:

• To respond to initial e-mail enquiries within two (2) business days.
• To respond to initial telephone enquiries within one (1) business day.

Depending on the complexity of the question, a written interpretive response to a question about a regulation can take 30 days or longer to receive. Requests for a written interpretive response must be submitted to the CDC in writing.

Mechanisms to Track Errors and Address Problems

Online requests for information on the CDC’s regulations received by Regulation-Reglementation@agr.gc.ca are monitored and forwarded to the appropriate regulatory analyst for response. Online requests for information on the CDC’s regulations received by the CDC’s general email mailbox at cdc-ccl@cdc-ccl.gc.ca and telephone enquiries are monitored by CDC employees and forwarded to the appropriate regulatory analyst for response. Errors and problems are addressed on a case by case basis by the regulatory analyst.

Staff Training

The CDC provides ongoing support to its employees by providing them with the necessary training to deliver high quality, professional services and to provide information on regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement

Commitment to Engage Stakeholders

The CDC is committed to engaging stakeholders, as appropriate, when developing, reviewing or refining practices and materials for providing information and guidance on regulatory compliance and answering questions.

Stakeholder Engagement Practices

The CDC will continue to seek stakeholder feedback on regulatory issues, including the Regulatory Interpretation Policy, through its existing stakeholder communication mechanisms as well as via this web page.

Improvement

The CDC is dedicated to making a continual effort to improve its service to Canadians.

In early 2015, the CDC solicited feedback from stakeholders on how to improve its regulatory interpretation practices. Stakeholders identified the need to ensure key documents related to Canadian milk supply management are available to stakeholders as a key priorⁱty for improvement.

Improvement Priorities

The CDC has developed a Record of Standing Policy for the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee (CMSMC) which is updated annully by December 31. This comprehensive document includes the National Milk Marketing Plan (the Plan), a detailed description of the dairy industry’s other federal and provincial agreements, and all decisions related to the Plan since its inception.

Metrics

The Record of Standing Policy has been made available to the CMSMC and dairy industry members via the CDC Member’s site since July 2014. In response to the feedback received following the
consultations, the CDC enhanced its communication efforts to the CMSMC and dairy industry members to raise awareness that the document is available.

Send us Your Feedback

Please email the AAFC Regulatory Policy Coordination Office with your feedback regarding CDC’s regulatory interpretation practices at Regulation-Reglementation@agr.gc.ca.

For more information

• Guide for Developing and Implementing Interpretation Policies
• Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
• The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management
• The Red Tape Reduction Action Plan
• The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.

Note: The above is not a legal document and is not intended to provide legal advice, it sets out the Department's general approach to interpreting regulations and is not a binding statement of the approach that the Department would follow in any particular case. The specific facts of a case, as well as the nature of the information and data available, determine how the Department would respond in a particular matter.