GI-2025-6-reg1: Regulations Amending the Antarctic Environmental Protection Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations

If you run a Canadian business or lead expeditions operating in Antarctica — such as tourism operators, scientific research organizations, or logistics companies — you'll need a permit from Environment Canada, and these changes affect how you apply. The good news is you can now submit your application by email instead of a rigid paper form, and the level of environmental assessment you need to complete will be matched to your actual expected impact rather than requiring the same detailed paperwork for everyone. Your waste management plan must now explicitly spell out how you'll handle specific waste types like batteries, plastics, and sewage. The government expects no new costs or administrative burden — in fact, there may be minor savings for those switching to email submissions. Only about four to six permit applications are received per year, so this affects a very small, specialized group of operators.