Review of the Federal Approach to Pandemic Science Advice and Research Coordination

On this page

• Overview
• Report
• Panel members
• Contact

Overview

Health Canada asked an independent expert panel to conduct a review of the federal approach to pandemic science advice and research coordination. The scope of this review was developed in consultation with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Office of the Chief Science Advisor, and other departments and agencies.

The purpose of the review is to support Canada's preparedness for future pandemics and other health emergencies by taking stock of domestic and international learnings and best practices and providing recommendations in the following areas:

• optimizing the provision and impact of science advice
• supporting rapid and integrated decision making
• having a robust and nimble approach to determining the focus of research investment
• facilitating strong coordination in the research and evidence synthesis ecosystems

The review began in late August 2023. From August 2023 to April 2024, the panel travelled across Canada and met with a wide range of stakeholders in person and online, including those who played various roles in science advice and research coordination during the pandemic.

Report

The panel's report is now available.

Panel members

The panel tasked with leading this review brought together diverse and complementary backgrounds to ensure a wide range of perspectives and expertise in the areas of science advice and research coordination.

Sir Mark Walport, Chair

• Honorary Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Imperial College London
• Former UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor
• Former Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation

Dr. Éric Cohen

• Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal
• Director of the Human Retrovirology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal

Dr. Bev Holmes

• President and CEO, Michael Smith Health Research BC

Dr. Thomas Marrie

• Retired infectious disease physician

Dr. Shannon McDonald

• Former Chief Medical Officer, First Nations Health Authority

Dr. Allison McGeer

• Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto

Dr. Fahad Razak

• Canada Research Chair, Data Informed Healthcare Improvement, University of Toronto
• Internist, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto

Contact

For general inquiries, contact sciencereview-revuescientifique@hc-sc.gc.ca.