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:

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:

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:

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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