Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council 2018 Stakeholder Forum

Executive Summary

The Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) 2018 Stakeholder Forum was held December 4–5, 2018, in Washington, D.C. It was a successful 1.5-day event that brought together approximately 300 stakeholders and regulators. The event consisted of a plenary session and four sets of breakout sessions.

Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, gave introductory remarks followed by keynote addresses by Mick Mulvaney, Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board of Canada. Key themes of the opening speeches included the importance of the Canada-United States relationship and the role of regulatory cooperation in reducing regulatory burden to stimulate the economy while still maintaining high standards and protections for health, safety, and the environment.

The keynote addresses were followed by an industry panel to discuss RCC successes—past, present, and future. Panelists highlighted successes of the RCC, such as the Sunscreen Pilot, standards for a new class of rail tank car for flammable liquids, motor vehicle safety, and chemicals management. It was noted that a key achievement of the RCC is that it transcends administrations.

As regulators and stakeholders began the first set of breakout sessions, the RCC Council held a council meeting. The Council was co-chaired by Peter Wallace, Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, and Neomi Rao, Administrator of the U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. They were joined by Michael Keenan, Deputy Minister of Transport Canada, and Andrew Wheeler, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Twelve breakout sessions were held on the following topics: medical devices; alternative fuel use in transportation; aviation and unmanned aircraft systems; crop protection; vehicle safety and connected vehicles; consumer product safety; rail safety; chemicals management and workplace chemicals; small modular reactors; transportation of dangerous goods; animal health, veterinary drugs, and meat inspection; and border trade data systems. All sessions began with an overview by regulators on regulatory cooperation activities and work plans, followed by questions and answers.

Throughout the event, stakeholders expressed broad support for the RCC and, in many cases, applauded efforts by regulators to work together and reduce unnecessary duplication in our regulatory systems. Regulatory cooperation for emerging technologies was also a theme stakeholders raised across subject areas, which many regulators are already discussing bilaterally. Other key themes raised by stakeholders included the use of international standards, the increased use of electronic tools for regulatory requirements, and increased work-sharing and mutual recognition where possible.

Regulators and stakeholders re-convened for end of day remarks and a debrief of the Council meeting by Secretary Wallace and Dominic Mancini, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.