The record
Health Canada's final screening assessment (Chemicals Management Plan) concluded that talc meets the human-health criterion for a toxic substance under paragraph 64(c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, based on non-cancer lung effects from inhalation and a 'consistent and statistically significant positive association between perineal (genital) exposure to talc and ovarian cancer.' On May 22, 2021, the ministers published a proposed Order in the Canada Gazette, Part I (Vol. 155, No. 21) to add talc (Mg3H2(SiO3)4, CAS 14807-96-6) to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 to CEPA, as item 164.
Claim scope
Canada's final screening assessment concluded talc meets the CEPA s.64(c) human-health criterion (inhalation lung effects; perineal exposure/ovarian cancer association), and the ministers formally PROPOSED adding talc to Schedule 1 via Canada Gazette Part I on May 22, 2021 (60-day comment period under s.332(1)).
What this source does not establish
It does NOT establish that talc is listed on Schedule 1. The May 22, 2021 publication is a PROPOSED order; a search of Canada Gazette Part II (through 2026 registrations) located no final order adding talc - subsequent substances (e.g. item 163 plastic manufactured items, SOR/2021-86; coal tars, SOR/2024-275) were finalized, but no talc registration was found. Do not write 'Canada classified talc as toxic' or 'Canada banned talc' - write 'Health Canada's screening assessment concluded talc meets the toxic-substance criterion, and the government proposed listing it; the listing was not located as finalized.' The assessment concerns talc itself (inhalation and perineal exposure), NOT asbestos contamination of talc - do not conflate with the asbestos-in-talc issue.
Limitations
Page phrasing: 'Health Canada's 2021 screening assessment concluded talc meets the legal criterion for a toxic substance, citing lung effects from inhalation and a statistically significant association between perineal talc use and ovarian cancer. The government proposed adding talc to the national List of Toxic Substances; as of August 2026, no final listing order appears in the Canada Gazette.'
Source
Gov Report — Proposed Order Adding a Toxic Substance to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 155, No. 21 (May 22, 2021), with Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement summarizing the final screening assessment