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Ministerial Briefing Volume III: First 100 days

Table of Contents

1. Platform commitments overview

Health-related Platform Commitments – Liberal Party of Canada

Health Portfolio
2021

Purpose

Outline the Government's platform commitments related to health.

The Health Portfolio is ready to support you in to advance these platform commitments in collaboration with other federal Ministers, provinces and territories (PTs) and key stakeholders.

In some instances, your platform commitments will require support/co-lead from other members of Cabinet. Your support could also be required to realize platform priorities led by other Ministers.

Whether it is a Health Portfolio initiative or a co-lead, collaboration with your colleagues, caucus, and stakeholders will be critical to achieving results.

The Liberal Platform

Health commitments feature prominently in the Liberal Party platform.

Overall, your platform sets out an ambitious plan to move Canada forward, building on the achievements made during COVID and the successful implementation of previous mandate priorities, complemented with new commitments for better health and health care in Canada.

Health-related commitments

Your platform includes commitments for improving the health of Canadians across a range of themes:

Finishing the fight against COVID-19

A health care system, for everyone

Mental health care, for everyone

Safer and better long-term care

Sexual and reproductive health

Protecting public health

Equity and racism

Healthy eating and nutrition

Health and the environment

Finishing the fight against COVID-19

Mandatory vaccination

Proof of vaccine credentials

COVID-19 vaccine boosters

COVID-19 research fund

Help for the world's most vulnerable people

Eliminating the backlog of surgeries and procedures

Making sure every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health team

Expanding virtual health care services

Increased rural and underserved communities access to health care

Standing up for universal public health care

Strengthening vaccine research

Mental health care, for everyone

Comprehensive plan for mental health care across Canada

Better mental health support for students

Addressing problematic substance Use

Safe, better long term care

Safer conditions in homes, with an investment of $9B over 5 years to support seniors

Better working conditions for personal support workers

Sexual and reproductive health

Protecting your sexual and reproductive health and rights

Pathways to parenthood, for everyone

Ban conversion therapy

Protecting public health

Safer indoor air

10 days of paid sick leave

Tax on vaping products

Public health investments from tobacco manufacturers

Equity and racism

Fair access to health care

Strengthening Canadian research

Health eating and nutrition

National School Food Policy

Commercial marketing to children

Front-of-package labelling

Health and environment

Protecting Canadians from harmful chemicals

Reducing pesticide risks

Protecting animals

Supporting the broader platform

As a member of Cabinet, you will be expected to support the broader agenda and actions to advance on priorities, particularly where these intersect with health.

A more resilient economy

Investing in homegrown small businesses, supporting workers, and creating jobs

An equal Canada, for everyone

Acting to protect rights and promote diversity to build a Canada where everyone sees opportunity

A cleaner, greener future

Tackling climate change, seizing green economy opportunities, and positioning for long-term growth

Reconciliation

Addressing fundamental gaps and the legacy of colonialization to move forward on the path of reconciliation

A stronger Canada

Ending gun violence, fighting racism and discrimination, protecting from online harms, improving courts, and upholding our values internationally

A plan for fairness and growth

Building fairer tax system and coming back from COVID-19 stronger, fairer, healthier, more prosperous

Moving forward

2. Issues for early decision

A number of key issues will require your immediate decision or attention – either because of an upcoming deadline or key date, or because they may be expected to provide their views. The following topics are time-sensitive issues that will require early action.

Officials are prepared to brief you on these issues, especially those requiring immediate attention, in the early days of your mandate, taking into consideration any particular time sensitivities.

Federal approach to acceptable vaccines in the application of border measures

The Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order (QIOO) gives the Minister delegated authority, on the recommendation of the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), to determine what constitutes an acceptable COVID-19 vaccine dosing regimen in the application of Canada's border measures.

Canada's current list of accepted COVID-19 vaccines is limited to vaccines authorized for use in Canada, which are Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) regardless of the country in which immunization took place.

Canada will continue to monitor and adjust, where needed, its list of accepted vaccines. This could include aligning with the WHO Emergency Use Listing, as part of its definition of a fully vaccinated traveler. The Government of Canada is actively engaging other countries and international partners to encourage them to recognize those who have received mixed vaccine schedules or extended dose intervals as being fully vaccinated.

Border planning

As of September 7, 2021, Canada's borders are open to fully vaccinated foreign nationals from anywhere in the world for non-essential travel. Ten airports are currently accepting international flights.

There are currently three Orders in Council (OICs) that govern border measures:

  1. OIC 65: Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from the United States);
  2. OIC 66: Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Prohibition of Entry into Canada from any Country Other than the United States); and
  3. OIC 67: Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations).

The current Orders in Council expire on November 21.

Approach to boosters

Vaccine effectiveness after a primary series of COVID-19 vaccine remains high in Canada, especially for severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, there are concerns that over time vaccine effectiveness may wane, especially in populations who may not have had a robust initial response to the vaccine or who are at high risk of infection. In support of an approach to boosters for the general population, Health Canada will undertake regulatory review of booster submissions by manufacturers.

In Fall 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), as an external advisory body, will be reviewing the evidence on the benefits and the potential need for booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine doses for key populations and for the general public to provide guidance to provinces and territories. As part of its methodology, NACI will consider not only scientific factors (such as safety and effectiveness), but also programmatic considerations such as ethics, equity, feasibility, and acceptability, when deciding on its booster recommendations for Canada's provincial and territorial immunization programs to consider.

In preparing for the rollout of COVID-19 booster doses, PHAC also continues to engage with provinces and territories regarding their plans for administering booster doses for the general population via the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Canadian Immunization Committee (CIC), which is comprised of immunization program planners in each jurisdiction. An early briefing is recommended.

Biomanufacturing and life science strategy

In July 2021, the Government of Canada announced a comprehensive strategy to grow a strong, competitive domestic life sciences sector, with cutting edge biomanufacturing capabilities and ensuring preparedness for pandemics or other health emergencies. The strategy provides for enhancing: domestic vaccine and therapeutic development and production capabilities across priority and next-generation platforms for current and future pandemic and life science needs; and advancement of other important health and economic outcomes associated with the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector.

The strategy also establishes a coordinated framework for working in alignment across federal departments and agencies responsible for the discovery, development, regulatory approval, production and deployment of critical medicines, while continuing to rely on the advice of experts. CIHR's implementation of its Clinical Trials Fund as announced in Budget 2021 is a key Health Portfolio component of the strategy.

In August, the GOC established a memorandum of understanding with Moderna, Inc. to build a mRNA vaccine production facility in Canada. This is intended to strengthen the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector's entire value chain, from research and development, to talent acquisition and retention, to increased clinical trial capacity.

An early briefing is recommended on key next steps.

Modernization of the PMPRB regulatory framework

In August 2019, the Government of Canada announced the final amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations, which provide the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) with new tools and information to protect Canadians from excessive prices of patented medicines. This is the first substantive update to the regulations in more than 30 years. After three consecutive six-month delays due to the pandemic, the amendments are scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2022. An early briefing is recommended.

Cannabis legislative review

The Cannabis Act requires the Minister of Health to cause a review of the Act three years following the coming into force (by October 17, 2021), and to table a report in both Houses of Parliament within 18 months. It is a statutory requirement for the review to include an assessment of the impact of the Act on public health and, in particular, on the health and consumption habits of young persons; Indigenous persons and communities; and, the cultivation of cannabis plants in a dwelling-house. In order to launch the legislative review, early decisions are required on the governance approach and scope of the review.

Early decisions in these areas will ensure that preparations for the Cannabis Act legislative review can proceed in a timely manner.

Legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act

As per s.60.1(1) of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, the Minister is required to undertake a legislative review of the Act three years after the legislation comes into force (by May 23, 2021) and table a report in Parliament no later than one year after that (May 23, 2022).

The first review is proposed to focus primarily on the new vaping-related provisions of the Act and its administration and operation, particularly the provisions to protect young persons. It will be evidence-based and involve the systematic collection of data and information to support analysis. The review will be informed by public consultations that seek the input and perspectives of Canadians and a broad range of stakeholders, through an open and transparent process.

In order to meet the legislative requirement for the Minister to table a report in Parliament by May 23, 2022, public consultations are proposed to start this fall.

3. Additional issues for your attention

Climate change and health

Health Canada has committed to publishing a national assessment report on the health risks of climate change in 2021. The release of the Health Canada-led report entitled Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action is planned for November/December 2021. This report is part of a broader series of federal government assessments of climate change impacts, and is the third such report, with previous iterations having been published in 2008 and 2014.

The objective of the report is to inform decisions and actions at local, provincial/territorial, and national levels related to public health, health care, emergency management, research, and community outreach. Health Canada collaborated with federal and external experts to develop the report, which has been peer-reviewed.

Further, the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place from October 31 to November 12, 2021 in Scotland. All countries have been asked to make ministerial-level commitments at COP26 related to 1) climate resilient health systems, and 2) sustainable low-carbon health systems.

MSM blood donation

Donor deferral policies are determined by blood operators. Under Canada's Blood Regulations, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Héma-Québec (H-Q) are required to make submissions to Health Canada for any changes to their policies, which include scientific data that support the safety of the proposed changes. Over the past eight years, the blood donor deferral period in Canada for men who have sex with men (MSM) changed from a lifetime restriction to a three-month waiting period based on evidence submitted by the blood operators demonstrating the risks could be sufficiently managed through screening and testing.

Funding research is the federal lever available to support further changes to blood donation policies. In 2016, the Government allocated $3.0 million for research to strengthen the evidence base supporting a non-discriminatory approach to blood donations. Budget 2019 further provided $2.4 million over three years, starting in 2019-20, for additional research specific to reducing barriers to the donation of blood plasma. Research is ongoing and is set to end this year. To date, Health Canada has not yet received a submission from CBS or H-Q to eliminate the deferral period in question for donating whole blood. However, on June 18th, 2021, CBS publicly indicated that it would make a submission to Health Canada regarding a change to gender-neutral, behavior-based donation screening by the end of 2021. Additionally, on September 16, 2021 HC authorized CBS to implement behaviour-based criteria for MSM for collection of source plasma. CBS intends to implement behavior-based criteria for plasma collection at two sites (Calgary, Alberta and London, Ontario) prior to further roll-out.

Antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobials, and in particular, antibiotics, that we rely on to treat common infections are becoming increasingly ineffective, leading to fewer treatment options, increased healthcare costs, and a looming threat of undoing a century of medical progress and a return to the pre-antibiotic era. Inadequate infection prevention and control in health care settings and inappropriate use of existing antimicrobials (e.g., antibiotics and antifungals), coupled with a lack of diagnostics, effective vaccines and therapeutics, have led AMR to becoming one of the World Health Organization's top ten global public health threats.

Addressing AMR requires a One Health approach that acknowledges the interconnections between the health of humans, animals, and the environment and thereby encompasses collaborative efforts across various sectors to improve health for all. This will require coordinated action across federal government departments, provincial/territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, and other various stakeholders (e.g., the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries) to reduce the public health risks and impacts of AMR.

Before the end of the year, PHAC plans to re-engage with provinces/territories and wider stakeholder society to refresh and confirm their support for the actions within the draft Pan-Canadian Action Plan on AMR.

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4. Relationship management: Early calls and meetings

Early meetings and events for possible ministerial attendance

Meetings

There are a number of early calls and meetings in the first 100 days that the Minister may wish to take part in, such as calls with provincial and territorial (PT) health Ministers and an early meeting with PT health Ministers. A package will be provided to the Minister that outlines the considerations for each meeting.

In addition to these introductory calls and meetings, the Minister may wish to meet with key Portfolio stakeholders, many of whom will contact you for a meeting. Officials will be ready to provide advice regarding possible meetings.

Upcoming events

The Minister of Health has a role in participating in many events, such as those at the international level, as well as opportunities to engage with provinces and territories, stakeholders, and within the Health Portfolio. The key events that are scheduled to take place in the first 100 days have been included here for Ministerial consideration.

The following table provides information on these events, and possible opportunities for a Ministerial role. More information will be provided to you regarding your possible participation.

Events
Date Event Description Possible Ministerial Role
October 29-30, 2021 G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers' Meeting Held in Rome, Italy, and offered virtually for Health Ministers, the meeting will discuss sustainable financing for global health, including recommendations by the High Level Independent Panel on Financing the Global Commons for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
  • Opportunity to discuss key issues in the global health system with G20 counterparts, including the global health architecture and sustainable financing for pandemic preparedness and response.
November 23-26, 2021 Diabetes Canada (DC) /Canadian Society of Endocrin-ology and Metabolism (CSEM) Annual Professional Conference The DC/CSEM annual conference provides an opportunity for delegates to attend original research presentations and take part in information sharing with leading diabetes, endocrinology, and related field experts, and learn about significant advances in diabetes research, treatment, and care.
  • Opportunity to provide opening remarks at the conference.
  • Opportunity to maintain ongoing collaborative relationship with DC, a key diabetes stakeholder.
November 29 – December 1, 2021 World Health Assembly Special Session Special Session of the World Health Assembly, held virtually, where representatives from all 194 WHO Member States will consider developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.
  • The Minister of Health usually leads Canada's delegations to the World Health Assembly.
  • Critical step in strengthening WHO preparedness and response for health emergencies in response to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 1, 2021 World AIDS Day World AIDS Day, held annually on December 1, aims to unite people worldwide in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), show support for people living with HIV and commemorate people who have died. Each year, the Minister of Health engages in activities in the week leading up to and including World AIDS Day.
  • Opportunity to demonstrate federal leadership and commitment to the domestic response to HIV and AIDS.
December 8-9, 2021 Canadian Immuniza-tion Conference (CIC) CIC brings together non-governmental organizations, vaccine manufacturers, provincial and territorial immunization policy and program planners, as well as professionals from many disciplines in the immunization field. PHAC collaborates on this event with the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA), the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPA), and the Canadian Association for Immunization.
  • Opportunity to provide opening remarks at the conference.
  • It is expected that COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination programs will factor prominently in the 2021 CIC program.

5. First 100 days – Key business

Visual overview of key business timelines

First 100 days: Placemat
Key business Topics Timelines on duration of drafting/preparation
Early Calls and Meetings Portfolio Heads October – Introductory Meeting/Briefing
Meet within first one to two weeks
Provincial and Territorial Health Ministers October – Introductory Meeting/Briefing
Meet within first one to two weeks
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada October – Introductory Meeting/Briefing
Meet within first week
Key Stakeholders November – Introductory Meeting/Briefing
Meet within first month
Meeting with Auditor General regarding Audit of Enforcement of Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing Orders November – Introductory Meeting/Briefing
About a week before Tabling of Report targeted on November 30, 2021
Events G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers' Meeting October 29-30, 2021 – Event for consideration
Diabetes Canada (DC) /Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) Annual Professional Conference November 23-26, 2021 – Event for consideration
World Health Assembly Special Session November 29 – December 1, 2021 – Event for consideration
World AIDS Day December 1, 2021 – Event for consideration
Canadian Immunization Conference (CIC) December 8-9, 2021 – Event for consideration
Reports Departmental Reports
Table and publish Departmental Results Reports Fall 2021 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Table and publish Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Table and publish 2022-23 Departmental Plan Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Parliamentary Reports
Tabling of annual Fees Report Fall 2021 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Office of the Auditor General Report on Audit of Enforcement of Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing Orders (OAG) Fall 2021 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Annual Report on the Access To Information Act Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Annual Report on the Privacy Act Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of CFIA Corporate Business Plan Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of CIHR Annual Report Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Annual Report: Administration and Enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act (PMRA) Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Annual Chief Public Health Officer's Report on the State of Public Health in Canada Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of CCSA Annual Report Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Canada Health Act Annual Report February 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of Public Accounts for Canada for 2020-2021 Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of the Annual Report: Activities of the Board (PMPRB) Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Tabling of A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Achieve – 2021 Annual Report Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Report/Document for Approval or Tabling
Appointments / Vacancies Chairperson, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Term expires November 9, 2021 – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Chairperson, Governing Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fall, 2021 – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Winter 2022 – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Members, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Governing Council One vacant position; 4 upcoming vacancies June 2022 – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Member, National Seniors Council (NSC) Summer 2022 – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Member, Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC) Fall 2021 for decision on MAB Winter/Spring 2022 for Members – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Member, CFIA Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB) Fall 2021 (early attention) – Appointment/vacancy to be filled
Member, Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia (MAB) Fall 2021/Winter 2022 – Appointment/vacancy to be filled

Reports to be tabled in Parliament

The Minister of Health must table reports and other documents in Parliament on a variety of subjects under his or her purview. Most often, this involves tabling annual reports related to key activities under the responsibility of the Health Portfolio and related organizations to inform Parliament and Canadians about areas of government activity or spending.

The requirement to table a report is typically found in statute. In these cases, the report can be provided to Parliament through a "back-door tabling" (i.e. the Parliamentary Affairs Unit provides the report to Parliament via the Clerks of the House of Commons and Senate). In other cases, the requirement is set out in a funding agreement or Treasury Board policy and must go through a "front-door tabling" (i.e. the Minister must table the report in the House of Commons during Routine Proceedings).

The following table provides an overview of the reports that could be tabled in Parliament in the first 100 days of the Minister's mandate. Packages will be provided to the Minister early on to seek approval of the following reports, and officials are ready to brief the Minister on the tabling process.

Annual reports to be tabled in Parliament in the first 100 Days
Report Report Description Tabling Requirement Statutory Authority Tabling Timeline
1. Annual Departmental Results Report
(HC, PHAC, CFIA, CIHR, PMPRB)		 Annual report by individual departments and agencies that provides an account of results achieved against planned performance expectations (as set out in respective Departmental Plans) for the most recently completed fiscal year Tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board Required as per Treasury Board Policy – the Departmental Results Report is part of the Estimates process and a report to Parliament must be tabled Fall 2021
2. Annual Fees Report
(HC, PHAC, CFIA, CIHR, PMPRB)		 Annual report that sets out detailed information on fees in individual departments or agencies to improve government transparency and oversight of service standards and fees charged Tabled in each House of Parliament in Fall 2021 Service Fees Act (S.C. 2017, c. 20, s. 451(s. 20(1))) Fall 2021
3. Office of the Auditor General Report on Audit of Enforcement of Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing Orders
(OAG)		 This Audit of Enforcement of Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing Orders follows up on the findings of the Audit on the Pandemic Preparedness, Surveillance and Border Control Measures report Once this report is tabled, the President of PHAC and the new Minister will likely be requested to appear at the Public Accounts Steering Committee PACP (in January/February 2022, if the report is tabled by the targeted date) -- Please fill in the empty cell -- Fall 2021
4. Annual report: access to information
(HC, PHAC, CFIA, CIHR, PMPRB)		 Annual report that provides information on the administration of the Access to Information Act within the institution during each fiscal year Tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after September 1 of the year in which the report is prepared Access to Information Act (R.S., 1985, c. A-1, s. 72(2)) Fall 2021/Winter 2022
5. Annual report: privacy
(HC, PHAC, CFIA, CIHR, PMPRB)		 Annual report that provides information on the administration of the Privacy Act within the institution during each fiscal year Tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after September 1 of the year in which the report is prepared Privacy Act (R.S., 1985, c. P-21, s. 72(2)) Fall 2021/Winter 2022
6. CFIA Corporate Business Plan
(CFIA)		 At least once every five years, the Agency must submit a corporate business plan to the Minister for approval The Minister must table a copy of the plan in each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the Minister approves the plan Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act (S.C. 1997, c. 6, s. 22(1)] Fall 2021/Winter 2022
7. Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Annual Progress Report
(HC, PHAC, CFIA)		 The Report is to outline progress toward the commitments outlined in the 2020-21 Departmental Sustainable Development Plan, and the Department's contributions to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), led by Environment and Climate Change Canada The Minister shall cause the strategy to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives it Federal Sustainable Development Act [ 2019, c. 2, s.12(2)] Fall 2021/Winter 2022
8. CIHR Annual Report
(CIHR)		 The Governing Council shall, within four months after the end of each fiscal year, submit to the Minister a report on the operations and activities of the CIHR in that fiscal year and its strategic directions and goals, and shall include the CIHR's financial statements The Minister shall cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives it Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act [2000, c. 6, s. 32(2)] Fall 2021/Winter 2022
9. Annual report: Administration and Enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act
(HC)		 Annual report that highlights PMRA's accomplishments over the last fiscal year, including new products registered, re-evaluation activities, an overview of PMRA's role in international pesticide regulatory developments, and key engagement with stakeholders Tabled in in each House of Parliament as soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year Pest Control Products Act (2002, c. 28, s. 80(1)) Fall 2021/Winter 2022
10. Annual Chief Public Health Officer's Report on the State of Public Health in Canada
(PHAC)		 Annual report on the state of public health in Canada that provides a snapshot of the health of Canadians, as well as detailed information on a yearly theme, as determined by the Chief Public Health Officer Tabled in in each House of Parliament within the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the Minister of Health has received it
The CPHO is required to submit the report to the Minister of Health within six months after the end of each fiscal year		 Public Health Agency of Canada Act Fall 2021/Winter 2022
11. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Annual Report
(CCSA)		 The Chief Executive Officer shall, within three months after the end of each financial year of the Centre, submit to the Board a report of the activities of the Centre for that year, including the financial statements of the Centre and the auditor's report thereon, and the Board shall make the report available to the public at the principal office of the Centre Within one month after a report is submitted to the Board, the Centre shall provide copies thereof to the Minister of Health who shall cause a copy of each such report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the day on which the Minister receives the copies Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Act [1996, c. 8, s. 32] Fall 2021/Winter 2022
12. 2022-23 Departmental Plan
(HC, PHAC, CFIA, CIHR,PMPRB)		 The Departmental Plan (DP) presents the Department/Agency spending plan and describes its priorities, planned results and associated resource requirements for the next fiscal year DPs are tabled in Parliament by the President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the ministers who preside over the appropriation-dependent departments and agencies on or before March 31 each year Schedules I, I.1 and II of the Financial Administration Act Winter 2022
13. Canada Health Act Annual Report
(HC)		 Annual report on the extent to which provincial and territorial health care insurance plans have satisfied the criteria and the conditions for payment under the Canada Health Act, which is Canada's federal health care insurance legislation and defines the national principles that govern the Canadian health care insurance system Tabled in in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting, after the report is completed.
Report must be completed as soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of the next fiscal year		 Canada Health Act (R.S., 1985, c. C-6, s. 23) February 2022
14. Public Accounts for Canada for 2020-21 Includes the audited consolidated financial statements of the Government of Canada and information from departments, agencies, Crown corporations and other reporting entities Tabled before the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board on or before the thirty-first day of December next following the end of that year Section 64 of the Financial Administration Act Fall 2021/Winter 2022
15. Annual report: activities of the Board (PMPRB) Annual report that provides information on the activities of the Board for the most recently completed fiscal year, including information regarding its regulatory mandate and its reporting mandate Tabled in in each House of Parliament on any of the first 30 days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives the report Patent Act
(R.S., 1985, c. P-4; s. 100(4) added by 1993, c. 2, s. 7)		 Fall 2021/Winter 2022
16. A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Achieve – 2021 Annual Report
(PHAC)		 Annual report that provides information related to the implementation of the national dementia strategy Tabled in both Houses of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting National Strategy on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Act (S.C. 2017, c. 19) Fall 2021/Winter 2022

Decisions on Governor in Council and Ministerial Appointments

The following document outlines the current Governor in Council or Ministerial vacancies where the appointments require Ministerial consideration. Officials are prepared to brief you on the following appointments and the appointment process, especially those requiring immediate attention, in the early days of your mandate.

Governor In Council (GIC) appointments required

1. Chairperson, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB)

The Chairperson is designated as the chief executive officer and has the authority and responsibility to supervise and direct the work of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. He/she exercises direction over the quasi-judicial and operational functions of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and acts as deputy head under the Financial Administration Act.

The term of the Chairperson is expiring on November 9, 2021, and is not eligible for reappointment according to the Patent Act. A selection process to identify a new Chairperson would need to be launched and completed as soon as possible.

If the selection process is not completed prior to the term expiration of the current Chairperson the Patent Act states that: If the Chairperson is absent or incapacitated or if the office of Chairperson is vacant, the Vice-chairperson has all the powers and functions of the Chairperson during the absence, incapacity or vacancy.

2. Chairperson, Governing Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

The Chairperson of the Governing Council is responsible for leading the Governing Council, providing governance for the organization, assisting in strategic planning and developing policies and procedures to ensure that the organization fulfills its mandate.

The current Chairperson has signaled her intention to step down at the end of December 2021. Her term was set to expire on June 1, 2024. A selection process would need to be launched and completed as soon as possible. The Vice-Chairperson will serve as interim Chairperson until a new Chairperson is appointed.

3. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)

The Chief Executive Officer is accountable for the implementation of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Act, passed in Parliament in 1988 and leads the organization to conceive, build and sustain pan-Canadian strategies and efforts aimed at addressing the harms of problematic substance use.

The current CEO's term expired on July 27, 2020 and was reappointed for two separate one-year transitional terms ending on July 27, 2022, until a selection process is completed.

A selection process was launched prior to the election call.

4. Members, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Governing Council

Governing Council members develop the strategic directions, goals and policies of CIHR; they evaluate CIHR's overall performance, including with respect to the achievement of its objectives; approve CIHR's budget; and are responsible for establishing the mandate and evaluating the performance of the Institutes. As such, they appoint Scientific Directors and the members of the Institute Advisory Boards.

There is currently one vacant position and four upcoming vacancies on June 1, 2022.

5. Member, National Seniors Council (NSC)

The National Seniors Council (NSC) was established in 2007 by an Order in Council to advise the Government, through the Minister of Seniors and the Minister of Health, on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors including opportunities arising from a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse aging population. Members are selected through the Governor in Council (GIC) appointment process.

The NSC currently has one vacancy. Confirming the appointment of an additional member will require early attention in order to ensure that the NSC has a full complement of members and can begin developing their next work plan.

Ministerial appointments required

1. Member, Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC)

The Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC) is a multi-stakeholder advisory body that fosters dialogue among stakeholders with Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), providing advice directly to the Minister of Health on issues related to the federal pest management regulatory system. Membership consists of individuals who provide a balanced representation of interest in pesticide regulation issues, including: pesticide manufacturers; pesticide users; environmental and health related interest groups; and, individuals from academia and research institutions with appropriate expertise. As the council is up for renewal in 2022, we will be presenting a full package to renew the entire committee and to broaden the membership as per the council's recommendation in May 2019 in advance of the winter/spring 2022 meeting.

2. Member, CFIA Ministerial Advisory Board

The Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB) reports to the Minister of Health. Members have a range of expertise from the food, animal and plant health sectors. They provide advice on food safety issues related to CFIA's mandate and activities and also provide advice to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on issues relating to his/her authorities for CFIA activities (i.e., trade, animal health, plant health and protection). The Minister can appoint up to twelve (12) members to the Board, including a Chair, Vice-Chair and Ex-Officio member (CFIA official). There are currently six (6) board members (1 Chairperson and 5 members) with the President, CFIA serving as the Ex-Officio member. The last MAB meeting (virtual) took place on June 15, 2021.

As the membership agreements of the current board members will expire on November 30, 2021, a decision on continuing the MAB and if so, renewing these agreements will require early attention. If the MAB continues, a decision on filling the remaining five (5) vacant positions (1 Vice-Chairperson and 4 Members) through initiation of a selection process will also be required. A selection process is anticipated to take 2-3 months to complete.

3. Member, Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia

The Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia (MAB) was established by the Minister of Health in 2018 as per the National Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Act. The MAB provides evidence-informed advice on current and emerging issues, and on challenges and opportunities to help improve the lives of persons living with dementia. Membership includes health care professionals, researchers, representatives from federal/provincial/territorial governments, dementia advocates, people living with dementia and caregivers. Members serve for a term not exceeding three years and can be reappointed.

As of July 2021, the terms of 16 members had expired. The renewal process was initiated prior to the election. A decision on MAB appointments will require early attention so that PHAC can meet the requirements of the Act to meet at least twice annually.

Footnote

Footnote *

Indicate areas where other members of Cabinet may support, co-lead, or lead.

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