An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations

This bill updates two federal laws that govern how measuring devices used in commerce are approved, tested, and enforced: the Weights and Measures Act (which covers things like scales used in stores and trade) and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (which covers electricity and gas meters). It gives the Minister of Industry and inspectors clearer and expanded powers, including allowing accuracy checks to be done through sampling of similar devices rather than testing each one individually, letting the Minister or inspectors order businesses to fix or prevent problems, allowing temporary or long-term use of devices without full approval under certain conditions, and strengthening inspectors' authority to enter places (including vehicles), examine equipment, seize items, and compel cooperation. It also updates enforcement tools, offence provisions, and fee-recovery rules, and requires periodic public reviews of both Acts every ten years.

For the gas and electricity side specifically, the bill broadens the definition of "meter," renames the "director" role as "president," creates a system of "authorized service providers" (private contractors permitted to verify and seal meters) and "designated inspectors," and gives the president new powers to approve, suspend, or exempt contractors and meters from requirements. It clarifies the steps needed before a meter can be legally put into service.

Finally, the bill repeals certain outdated sections of the existing Weights and Measures Regulations and Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations, and includes transitional rules to carry over existing certifications, approvals, and appointments (such as current accredited meter verifiers and directors) into their new equivalent status under the amended laws. Most changes take effect on a date to be set later by the government, rather than immediately upon passage.

This bill amends the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act to add and revise the powers of the Minister of Industry, the president of the electricity and gas inspection program, and inspectors over the approval, testing, and enforcement of measuring devices and meters.

• Inspector entry and seizure powers — inspectors may enter any place, including a vehicle or (via warrant) a dwelling-house, without a warrant elsewhere, to examine, test, photograph, seize and detain things, access computer systems, order people to prove identity, order equipment to be started or stopped, and prohibit or limit access to part of a place; entry counts as occurring even if done remotely by telecommunication.
• Ministerial and presidential discretion — the Minister may authorize entities to calibrate reference standards, permit temporary or indefinite use of unapproved devices/meters "under any conditions" specified, issue binding written directions on sampling, inspections, and corrective plans, and order remedial measures; the president holds parallel powers over meters, contractor registration, and "authorized service providers," including granting, suspending or revoking approvals, permissions and exemptions by written notice.
• Rule-making left to regulation or directive — many operational details (fees, sampling procedures, record-keeping, dispute-resolution criteria) are left to future regulations or to Minister/president-issued "directions," which under the bill are explicitly exempt from the Statutory Instruments Act, meaning they are not reviewed as formal regulations.
• Obligations and offences — owners, traders, contractors and "authorized service providers" must assist inspectors, keep records, maintain equipment, and comply with orders; failing to comply, obstructing seized goods, or entering a restricted area is made an offence under the Act, with liability calculated by the inspector for undercharged amounts.
• Oversight — decisions of the president on disputed meter findings are stated to be "final and conclusive," with no appeal route specified; both Acts newly require a review of the Act every 10 years, with a report tabled in Parliament but not subject to a vote.
• Transitional and commencement provisions — existing certifications, approvals, and personnel (director, accredited meter verifiers, designated inspectors) are automatically re-designated under the new titles and provisions, and most sections come into force on a day fixed by the Governor in Council (Cabinet) rather than automatically.