Terms of Reference: Pest Management Regulatory Agency Water Monitoring Framework for Pesticides 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 the 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 a national water monitoring framework for pesticides to support pesticide regulatory decisions
• 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 Water Monitoring Framework for Pesticides Technical Working Group (WMFP-TWG) will provide a key consultation mechanism to solicit expert feedback on specific areas related to water monitoring.

2.0 Mandate

The WMFP-TWG will provide feedback on technical issues related to developing a national water monitoring framework for pesticides, building on the questions identified in two Discussion Documents:

• Further Strengthening Protection of Health and the Environment: Targeted Review of the Pest Control Products Act
• Towards a National Water Monitoring Program for Pesticides

The WMFP-TWG will also discuss and report back on technical issues identified by the Transformation Steering Committee.

3.0 Membership

The WMFP-TWG composition aims to provide balanced representation from key stakeholder groups and partners. Members were invited to join based on their experience and knowledge related to water monitoring programs and analysis of pesticides in water, and include representation from federal, provincial and territorial governments, registrants, industry associations, growers and other user groups, non-governmental organizations and academia. 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 relevant, broad and diverse perspectives are heard during this consultation process, the following factors were considered to guide membership of the WMFP-TWG:

• Regional representation
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Freshwater monitoring programs for water chemistry, including pesticides and chemicals in water (monitoring program design and/or field sampling)
  • Laboratory analysis of pesticides (sample analysis and procedures and/or priority pesticides)
  • Data management and reporting (data storage/analysis/accessibility)

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 WMFP-TWG meetings will be included in the calendar of events. Meeting 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 WMFP-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 WMFP-TWG will be in existence for the duration of the engagement on PMRA's Transformation Agenda.

Separate sub-group meetings will be held for representatives from the following groups:

• Federal/provincial/territorial governments
• Industry
• Grower groups
• Non-government organizations
• Academia

PMRA anticipates a series of meetings that will consist of two to three meetings with a duration of 3 hours each from April to June 2022. Additional meetings will be scheduled if required.

Areas that will be covered include:

• Goals of a national water monitoring program and the purpose of monitoring pesticides in water
• Tools and approaches for data management and reporting
• Monitoring program design and priority pesticides
• Field sampling and laboratory analyses, including priority pesticides, transformation products and sample analysis and methods.

Information gathered in these sessions will be used to develop a monitoring framework. The WMFP-TWG will also be tasked with reviewing the draft framework.

In addition to participation in the sessions, WMFP-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, providing feedback or comments.