Terms of Reference: Pest Management Regulatory Agency Modernized Business Processes Technical Working Group

Last Updated: April 21, 2022

1.0 Introduction

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) are committed to realizing the commitments from the August 4, 2021 announcement through the following actions:

• Targeted review of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) to support greater transparency and balance how pesticide review processes are initiated
• Increase transparency in pesticide regulatory system to provide Canadians with a clearer understanding of the regulatory process and factors underpinning decisions, and improve access to confidential data
• Creation of a Science Advisory Committee (expert panel) to provide PMRA with independent scientific advice to support evidenced-based decision making
• Strengthen protection of human health and the environment through improved business processes, including the introduction of a continuous and risk-based oversight approach over the full pesticide lifecycle
• Develop and implement water monitoring framework to measure pesticide concentrations in Canadian's lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater
• Expand pesticide use data and analysis to improve the accuracy of pesticide data underpinning pesticide regulatory decisions
• Accelerate research and facilitate adoption of alternative pest management solutions

The Modernized Business Processes Technical Working Group (MBP-TWG) will provide a key consultation mechanism to solicit feedback specific to improving business processes to strengthen protection of human health and the environment.

PMRA retains full decision authority on the implementation of modernized business processes.

2.0 Mandate

The MBP-TWG will provide feedback regarding PMRA's implementation of new approaches to pesticide regulation, focusing on the implementation of a continuous oversight approach supported by stakeholders in 2020, and the development of a framework that supports regulatory oversight in a manner that is proportionate to the level of risk. The MBP-TWG will also discuss and report back on technical issues identified by the Transformation Steering Committee.

PMRA seeks to determine areas of consensus and the rationale behind diverging views with the goal of informing the best path forward.

3.0 Membership

The MBP-TWG consists of approximately 20 members and its composition aims to provide balanced representation from key stakeholder groups and partners. Members were selected and invited to join considering their experience and knowledge with the work of PMRA and include representation from provincial and territorial governments, registrants, industry associations, growers and other user groups, and non-governmental organizations. Members participate on a voluntary basis.

Additional officials from key federal partners including AAFC, ECCC, and Health Canada's Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch (ROEB) will also participate.

3.1 Factors considered

To ensure broad and diverse perspectives are heard during this consultation process, the following factors were considered to guide the composition of the MBP-TWG:

• the national scope of the organization
• a history of engagement with PMRA
• extensive experience in regulatory fields and knowledge of the Pest Control Products Act
• professional scientific expertise and experience in the domains of agriculture and other uses and environmental and/or human health
• balanced representation for a range of vantage points including industry, agriculture users, non-agriculture users, provinces, and non-governmental organizations

4.0 Transparency and communications

Use of either of Canada's Official Languages (French or English) is encouraged.

PMRA is committed to openness and transparency as an operating principle. Therefore, these terms of reference will be made public, and the MBP-TWG meetings will be included in the calendar of events. Meetings materials and any documents shared by Health Canada or by the members will be made available upon request.

Members may speak to the media (including social media) about the MBP-TWG, but are asked to notify PMRA of any activities.

Information, views and opinions shared with PMRA will not be treated confidentially by PMRA. PMRA will not accept correspondence or documents marked as confidential in this context. Meeting notes or documents provided to PMRA may be released, including in the context of requests under the Access to Information Act.

The personal information you provide to PMRA is collected pursuant to section 4 of the Department of Health Act and the Pest Control Products Act, and is governed in accordance with the Privacy Act.

For more information refer to the Information and privacy notice specific to the Transformation Agenda of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency posted on Canada.ca.

5.0 Duration

The MBP-TWG will run within the duration of PMRA's Transformation Agenda engagement. In the context of the Strengthened Protection of Human Health and the Environment through Modernized Business Process pillar, PMRA anticipates three initial MBP-TWG monthly meetings from May to July 2022, with additional meetings to follow as needed.

• First meeting: To give an overview of continuous oversight and proportionate effort approaches for early input
• Second meeting: To provide greater details on parts of continuous oversight and proportionate effort and start gathering input from TWG members
• Third meeting: To provide final details on continuous oversight and proportionate effort and gather more input from TWG members

In addition to participation in the sessions, MBP-TWG members are asked to commit an estimated 1-2 hours per week on activities including, but not limited to reviewing background material provided by PMRA in advance of meetings, information gathering (e.g., collect feedback from their members or like-minded stakeholders that are not part of the MBP-TWG), providing feedback or comments, and responding to surveys.