Terms of Reference: Pest Management Regulatory Agency Transparency 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 Transparency Technical Working Group (TWG) will provide a key consultation mechanism to solicit feedback on improving the transparency of the pesticide regulatory system.
2.0 Mandate
The TWG will provide advice to PMRA on transparency needs and priorities in order to ideate, co-design and develop new transparency measures that ensure open and timely access to information, meaningful public understanding, and transparent decision-making.
The TWG will build on the broad input from PMRA's Transformation Steering Committee to consider how the PMRA can improve transparency in a meaningful way and report back on technical issues identified by the Transformation Steering Committee.
3.0 Membership
The Transparency TWG consists of up to 15-20 volunteer members who represent the full range of pesticide stakeholder groups, and are knowledgeable on the pesticide regulatory program. Members include representation from provincial and territorial governments, registrants, industry associations, growers and other user groups, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous organizations and academia.
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 TWG:
- a history of engagement with PMRA
- extensive experience in regulatory fields and knowledge of the Pest Control Products Act
- expertise and experience in the domains of transparency initiatives and environmental and/or human health
- ability to meet the time and schedule commitments required, and
- balanced representation for a range of vantage points including industry, agriculture users, non-agriculture users, Indigenous organizations, academia, 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 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 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 TWG will be in existence for the duration of the engagement on PMRA's Transformation Agenda. The TWG will meet every 3-4 weeks, through a virtual meeting platform, from May to July 2022. The need to continue the TWG will be assessed in the Fall of 2022.
The TWG will meet for a series of sessions to provide advice and feedback to PMRA on specific themes:
- Improving Access to Data and Information: Provide an overview of current PCPA requirements for access to data and information and discuss how processes could be improved.
- Improving Regulatory Documents: Review new plain language regulatory documents and discuss what is useful, and if additional information is needed.
- Public Uses for Real World Data: Gather input on how real world data could be used by the public and what format(s) of the data would be most beneficial.
- Improving Understanding of PMRA Science: Review of plain language products developed to increase understanding of PMRA science and methodology.
In addition to participation in the sessions, TWG Members are asked to commit an estimated 2-3 hours per week on activities including, but not limited to information gathering, providing feedback or comments, product testing, responding to surveys, and participating in on-on-one interviews with PMRA.
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