Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products: Terms of Reference

On this page

• Preface
• 1.0 Mandate
• 2.0 Reporting structure/governance
• 3.0 Membership
  • 3.1 Selection of the chair(s)
  • 3.2 Tenure
  • 3.3 Resignation process
  • 3.4 End of appointment
• 4.0 Affiliations and interests
• 5.0 Security clearance
• 6.0 Indemnification
• 7.0 Roles and responsibilities
  • 7.1 Members
  • 7.2 Commitment to confidentiality
  • 7.3 Chair
  • 7.4 Secretariat
  • 7.5 Media and communications
  • 7.6 Social media
• 8.0 Management and administration
  • 8.1 Transparency
  • 8.2 Meeting agendas
  • 8.3 Meeting notice and invitations
  • 8.4 Frequency, type, and location of meetings
  • 8.5 Travel and expenses
  • 8.6 Observers
  • 8.7 Invited presenters
  • 8.8 Requirements of presenters and observers
  • 8.9 Deliberations and reports
  • 8.10 Intellectual property
  • 8.11 Review

Preface

As part of the August 4, 2021 Government of Canada announcement to strengthen the capacity and transparency of review processes for pesticides, the government committed to the creation of a new expert panel process to provide advice, as appropriate, prior to certain evidence-based decisions of Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) on pesticides, including on pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs).

The PMRA is the branch of Health Canada responsible for regulating pesticides under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). The PCPA's primary objective is to prevent unacceptable risks to individuals and the environment from the use of these products.

In June 2022, Health Canada established the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products to provide independent scientific expertise to inform PMRA in evidence-based decision-making on pesticides. PMRA maintains the responsibility and the sole authority to make regulatory decisions on pesticides, taking into consideration the advice provided by the Committee.

1.0 Mandate

The Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products provides advice to the Minister of Health, who through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating pesticides under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency's (PMRA) primary mandate is to prevent unacceptable risks to Canadians and the environment from the use of these products.

The Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products provides independent scientific advice to support evidenced-based decision-making on pesticide health and environmental risk and value assessments, as well as development of risk management options.

Not all Health Canada evaluations will require advice from the Committee. Issues on which Committee advice could be sought include, but are not limited to:

• Scientific advice on specific technical aspects of PMRA human health risk assessments, such as interpretation of adverse effects in toxicology studies, selection of safety factors, derivation of hazard reference values, MRLs, or application of novel risk assessment approaches;
• Scientific advice on specific technical aspects of PMRA environmental risk assessments, such as interpretation of physical, chemical and fate parameters, adverse effects in ecotoxicology studies, selection of species sensitivity factors or novel risk assessment approaches;
• Scientific advice on a pesticide's value in contributing to managing a relevant pest problem in Canada;
• Scientific advice on specific technical aspects of pesticide risk management options;
• Scientific advice as it relates to pre-market applications, and post-market scientific evaluations of pesticides; and,
• Scientific advice in response to other science questions that are not related to a specific pesticide evaluation or decision.

Health Canada has the responsibility and sole authority to make decisions with respect to the mandate of this advisory body.

2.0 Reporting structure/Governance

Health Canada advisory bodies operate under the Health Canada Policy on External Advisory Bodies. All elements of the policy apply to the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products unless these Terms of Reference specifically state otherwise.

The Committee has been established by and reports to the Minister of Health, through the Deputy Minister. The Executive Director (ED) of PMRA serves as the Executive Secretary to the Committee, who provides leadership and strategic advice in the management of the SAC-PCP. PMRA Directors General may take on specific duties to support the Committee, where appropriate.

Health Canada will take into consideration the advice of the Committee as part of the PMRA's evidence-based decision-making on pesticide health and environmental risk and value assessments.

3.0 Membership

Members of the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products are recruited through either an open nomination or a targeted process.

The goal of this process is to ensure that, together, Committee members have a range of scientific knowledge, expertise, and experience to support the mandate of the Committee.

Health Canada will also consider a person's:

• scientific research background;
• potential contribution to the equity, diversity, and inclusiveness (EDI) of the Committee's membership;
• professional standing;
• affiliations and interests;
• conflict of interest assessment; and,
• availability.

The following areas of knowledge, expertise, and experience are sought to support the Committee:

• Biological sciences
• Environmental sciences
• Human toxicology
• Environmental toxicology
• Chemistry
• Human health risk assessment
• Environmental fate, modelling and risk assessment
• Epidemiology
• Statistics and analysis of scientific data
• Agronomy
• Pesticide use
• Pesticides and traditional land use
• Pest management
• Toxic substances management
• Regulatory experience in chemicals management
• Other expertise relevant to the mandate of the Committee

Health Canada established a selection committee composed of representatives from the Office of the Chief Science Advisor to Health Canada and the Directors General from PMRA. The selection committee advises the Executive Director of PMRA who then provides recommendations to the Minister regarding candidates for appointment by the Minister.

Members are appointed following a review by the selection committee and a thorough conflict of interest assessment. Members will be expected to have broad knowledge of health, environment and value assessment for pesticides. When deciding on appointments to the Committee, the equity, diversity, and inclusiveness of the membership will be considered.

In addition, the selection committee created a Community of Specialized Experts from the nominees that will be relied on as additional members to provide expert advice on the specific issues or assessments under consideration (for example, a member with specialization in environmental pesticide risk assessments for aquatic species). The Community of Specialized Experts will be a rolling list that continues to evolve depending on the needs of the Committee.

In selecting Committee members and the Community of Specialized Experts, the selection committee will consider potential conflict of interest. While there are no limitations on who can submit a nomination, conflict of interest may preclude certain individuals who have a vested interest in the outcome of pesticide regulatory decision(s) from being selected for the Committee.

To preserve the independence of the federal government as a decision-maker, federal government employees are not permitted to chair or be a member of the Committee, and cannot participate in the formulation of the Committee's advice to Health Canada.

3.1 Selection of the Chairs

The Minister will appoint two co-chairs, as recommended by the selection committee and Executive Secretary, from among the members based on an expression of interest in the member's application. The co-chairs will be members of the Science Advisory Committee, appointed to the position of co-chair for the duration of their 3-year term, and participate in the formulation of the Committee's advice.

3.2 Tenure

Members will be appointed by the Minister for a minimum term of three years, which may be extended for additional terms based on Health Canada's needs and the members' availability and willingness to continue their membership. Members of the Community of Specialized Experts will be invited to serve for specific topics or science questions as necessary.

3.3 Resignation process

A member may withdraw from service on the Committee at any time upon 14 calendar days written notice addressed to the Executive Secretary and to the SAC-PCP co-chairs. The letter should state the effective date of resignation.

If a Committee member needs to be replaced, the Secretariat will review previous submissions received when the nomination call was sent out to determine if there are any suitable replacements. Should no suitable replacement be found from previous submissions, another nomination call will be sent out, or the Committee and Secretariat will jointly identify a potential replacement and direct contact will be made via the Secretariat.

3.4 End of appointment

The Minister may end a member's appointment for cause by writing to the member stating the reasons the appointment is being concluded and the effective date in the following circumstances:

• the member has failed to act according to the Committee's Terms of Reference;
• the member has failed to comply with their obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement;
• a change in the member's affiliations and interests results in a direct conflict of interest that prevents participation;
• the member has missed three consecutive meetings of the Committee without informing the Secretariat of the reason(s); or,
• the member has acted in a way that jeopardizes the integrity of the Committee.

Other general reasons that could lead to the end of an appointment include:

• the member's term is complete;
• the member resigns;
• the member becomes a federal government employee;
• the mandate of the Committee has been completed;
• the mandate of the Committee is changed and the member's knowledge, experience, or expertise is no longer relevant to the revised mandate; or,
• The Minister decides to rescind the Committee's mandate and Terms of Reference.

4.0 Affiliations and interests

Before being considered for appointment, potential members of the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products are required to complete and return the Affiliations and Interests Declaration Form. This form is used to disclose to the Secretariat any circumstances that may place or be seen to place the member in a real, perceived, or potential conflict of interest, including financial, intellectual and other relevant interests. PMRA prefers nominees who do not currently have, and have not had for the past two years, direct or indirect affiliations and interests with pesticide product industries and/or organizations that advocate for, or against, pesticide use. The personal information in a completed Affiliations and Interests Declaration Form is protected under the Privacy Act.

Nominees will be screened for potential conflict of interest by the selection committee. Potential conflicts of interest will be determined based on an assessment of a nominee's declaration of interests and affiliations and curriculum vitae. The selection committee will also seek advice from an external conflict of interest expert.

As a condition of appointment, Committee members are required to give Health Canada permission to publish a brief biography and summary of his or her affiliations and interests. Each member will have the opportunity to review and approve the summary for accuracy before publication during the appointment process. The summary will be available through publication on the Government of Canada web site.

In addition to publishing the summary, the co-chairs will also ask members to make a verbal statement of their relevant affiliations and interests at the beginning of every Committee meeting. Members are required to update their declaration in a timely and ongoing manner to reflect any changes.

Members may not use their position on the Committee for their private gain or for the gain of any other person, company, or organization.

5.0 Security clearance

All members and members of the Community of Specialized Experts are required to undergo a security clearance and obtain Government of Canada "reliability status" as a condition of participation on the Committee.

Security clearance may require the Committee member to submit fingerprints. A security clearance is valid for ten years.

6.0 Indemnification

All members serve on the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products on a volunteer basis. Health Canada undertakes to provide its volunteer Committee members with protection against civil liability that arises out of their actions as a member, provided the member acts in good faith, within the scope of their volunteer duties, does not act against the interests of the Crown and does not otherwise have available such protection.

In order for an eligible member to receive protection against civil liability, including for legal costs of defending an action as well as any award of damages against them, volunteer members must give prompt notice to Health Canada of any claim, action, suit or proceeding brought against the member, and must obtain Health Canada's consent, in advance, to the legal counsel selected to represent the volunteer member and any associated costs.

Health Canada may, at its own expense and discretion, participate in the conduct of the defence of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, and any negotiations for the settlement of the same.

Health Canada will indemnify the member for payment of any settlement, provided that the member has obtained Health Canada's consent to the settlement.

Members act collectively as an advisor to Health Canada with respect to the mandate of their Committee but they are not final decision-makers. Health Canada has the ultimate responsibility and accountability for any decision resulting from the advice received from an external advisory body.

7.0 Roles and responsibilities

7.1 Members

Members of an advisory body have a responsibility to Health Canada and, by extension, to Canadians, to give their best advice to Health Canada.

Members of an advisory body also have a responsibility to:

• Be available and prepared to participate in meetings, including virtual video conferences;
• Participate in the discussions of the Committee and report to the Minister of Health;
• Review the final Report and provide feedback in a timely manner;
• Notify the Secretariat and the co-chairs of any changes in the status of their affiliations and interests that may be relevant to the mandate of the Committee;
• Make a verbal statement of affiliations and interests at the beginning of each meeting when asked by the co-chairs; and
• Inform the Secretariat of any media inquiries pertaining to the Committee.

7.2 Commitment to confidentiality

In order to support their ability to provide well-informed advice, Committee members may receive and discuss information from Health Canada that is confidential in nature.

At the discretion of the Executive Secretary, and in consultation with the co-chairs, meetings of the Committee may be:

• open only to Committee members;
• open only to Committee members and government staff;
• open only to Committee members, government staff, and invited presenters; or,
• open to Committee members, government staff, invited presenters, and observers.

Confidential materials and/or topics will not be discussed while invited presenters or observers are in attendance.

Documents that are confidential in nature will be shared exclusively using protective measures that prevent the information from being shared or viewed outside of the Committee's function. For the viewing of confidential test data, an affidavit stating that the member does not intend to use the test data, or make the test data available to others, may be required.

The Secretariat will identify information according to the level to which it is protected under the Policy on Government Security. The Committee co-chairs will ensure that everyone participating in the meeting, telephone discussion, e-mail exchange or in another form of communication has received clear instructions on the confidentiality of the proceedings.

Every person will sign a Confidentiality Agreement before participating in the Committee as a member, specialized expert, or invited presenter. The agreement prohibits the disclosure of any confidential information by any means (including social media) received through participation in the Committee, including information received verbally or in writing through email correspondence, telephone calls, print materials, meeting discussions, etc.

All members are expected to protect and maintain any information divulged during the work of the Committee as confidential. Members must not discuss this information with persons not on the Committee, or divulge information obtained from the work of the Committee, including presentations made to it.

7.3 Co-chairs

In addition to all the responsibilities of a member, the co-chairs will be responsible for the following:

• Primary liaison to the Secretariat;
• Provide support to Health Canada on the selection of Committee members, including the selection of members of the Community of Specialized Experts;
• Chair Committee meetings;
• Facilitate a full and frank discussion among Committee members in fulfillment of the Committee's mandate, including in formulating its input to science questions;
• Ensure that both official languages can be used in Committee discussions;
• Ensure that every member of the Committee has an opportunity to be heard and that no view is ignored or overlooked;
• Assess workload and ensure the volume of work does not compromise the rigour of the discussion;
• Aid in the co-development of meeting agendas and identifying the science questions in consultation with the Executive Secretary;
• Identify, in consultation with the Executive Secretary, if any member(s) from the Community of Specialized Experts should be invited to participate in the Committee's discussions at the SAC-PCP meetings;
• Identify when information and discussions are considered confidential and clarify expectations regarding this information;
• Preparation of a draft Advisory Report to share with the PMRA in order to provide comments of a factual nature. These comments are provided for consideration in the finalization of the Report;
• Resolve any issues among members in order to reach consensus in the final Advisory Report. If there is not agreement, ensure that this diversity of perspectives is noted in the Committee report; and,
• Coordinate the timely development of the Committee report to Health Canada.

In addition to serving as the co-chairs of the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products, these individuals will be representatives on the Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC) as ex officio members. All ex officio members are considered full members of PMAC, who have equal rights to participate in PMAC meetings and contribute to any recommendations made by PMAC.

7.4 Secretariat

The Secretariat is housed in Health Canada's PMRA. The Secretariat is the administrative liaison between SAC-PCP members and Health Canada, and is an organizational and administrative resource for SAC-PCP members. In addition, the Secretariat:

• Coordinates membership processes such as the review of declared affiliations and interests, coordinating security clearances, and maintaining an up-to-date membership list;
• Develops and coordinates the preparation of meeting agendas, science questions and documentation in consultation with the Executive Secretary, relevant PMRA Directorates and the co-chairs;
• Will provide an employee to facilitate the answering of questions posed by the Committee members during Committee meetings;
• Prepares background information packages for the Committee and identifies it according to the level to which it is protected under the Policy on Government Security, and drafts the meeting summaries for the co-chairs' approval.

7.5 Media and communications

In accordance with the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, Health Canada and the co-chairs may designate a spokesperson for media inquiries related to the Committee.

Members of the Committee are able to speak to the media if they choose; however, members are required to inform the Secretariat of any media activities and respect the signed confidentiality agreement that prohibits the disclosure of any confidential information.

Committee members may also direct any media or communication inquiries about the Committee to the Secretariat, who in turn will contact Health Canada's Media Relations team. The Media Relations Officer will follow up with the Committee co-chairs.

7.6 Social media

Social media content developed by a Committee member, which describes work conducted by the Committee, must be reviewed and approved by the Secretariat before being disseminated.

8.0 Management and administration

8.1 Transparency

Health Canada is committed to transparency as an operating principle. Transparency of the Science Advisory Committee is served by:

• ensuring that meeting schedules are predictable, where possible; and
• posting Committee materials on Canada.ca. These materials may include the following:
  • Terms of Reference;
  • membership list;
  • members' biographies;
  • summary of affiliations and interests;
  • Secretariat contact information;
  • meeting agenda;
  • meeting summaries; and,
  • a summary of the Committee's advice and recommendations as set out in their Advisory Reports.

Health Canada is subject to the Access to Information Act (ATIA), which provides Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada the right to access information contained in federal government records, subject to certain specific and limited exceptions.

The Act serves to enhance the accountability and transparency of federal institutions in order to promote an open and democratic society and to enable public debate on the conduct of those institutions.

Information pertaining to the work of the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products provided to Health Canada, including input from its members in any form (emails, meeting records etc.) may be assessed for public release in the event a request for access to this information is received under the ATIA. Members may consult the Secretariat for additional information on implications of the ATIA.

8.2 Meeting agendas

The Executive Secretary and the co-chairs will co-develop the meeting agendas and identify science questions for consideration by the Committee.

8.3 Meeting notice and invitations

All meetings are scheduled at the call of the Secretariat, in consultation with the Executive Secretary and the co-chairs.

Meetings may be limited to Committee members only or may be opened to Health Canada staff, presenters, and observers by invitation.

The Secretariat sends out the invitations to attend a meeting.

Members generally receive the agenda and briefing material two weeks in advance; and presentations five days before a meeting.

8.4 Frequency, type, and location of meetings

The Committee will meet virtually, by default, using secure video conference platforms. Only invited persons may join, participate or listen to the video conferences.

Members must make every effort to ensure that a secure line is used and that no one else can see and/or listen to the proceedings unless the person has been previously approved by the Executive Secretary.

Committee meetings will be held as needed in response to science questions, a minimum of three times per year. It is expected that the Committee will provide advice in response to a minimum of three science questions or topics per year. The Committee will provide advice in response to science questions related to evidence-based decisions of PMRA or other science questions that are not related to a specific pesticide evaluation or decision. Not all decisions of the PMRA will be considered by the Science Advisory Committee.

Additional meetings may be held on an as needed basis at the discretion of the Executive Secretary in consultation with the co-chairs.

A meeting cannot be held unless quorum is achieved. If quorum is not achieved for a Committee meeting, the meeting will be rescheduled for a later date.

Quorum is determined to be at least one-half the number of existing members (rounded up if there is an uneven number of existing members), including one of the co-chairs.

In setting meeting dates, the Secretariat will make every attempt to accommodate the availability of as many members as possible.

8.5 Travel and expenses

Members and guest speakers will not be compensated for their participation on the Committee.

By default, Committee proceedings will take place virtually. If required, members will be reimbursed for expenses incurred during their work on the Committee such as travel and accommodation, according to the Treasury Board's Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures.

8.6 Observers

Portions of meetings of the Committee will be open to observers. The Secretariat and co-chairs, in consultation with the Executive Secretary, will determine which meetings, or portions of meetings, will be open to observers.

Observers will not be permitted to provide input on agenda items or participate in the discussions, unless specifically invited to do so by the co-chairs. A list of persons, or organizations, that have requested to observe a meeting will be made available to Committee members.

As part of the opening remarks at a Committee meeting, the co-chairs will:

• state the requirements and expectations regarding any confidential matters being discussed at the meeting; and,
• clarify that observers may not participate in the discussions, either by speaking or by otherwise expressing their support for or disagreement with what is being said, unless specifically invited to do so by the co-chairs. The co-chairs may ask observers who do not respect these rules to leave the meeting.

8.7 Invited presenters

The Secretariat, or the co-chairs, in consultation with the Executive Secretary, may invite individuals with particular expertise or experience to provide input on a specific topic or agenda item. Invited guests may participate in the discussions if the co-chairs specifically invite them to do so, but they do not participate in the formulation of advice.

8.8 Requirements of presenters and observers

Health Canada may require an invited presenter or observer to complete:

• Affiliations and Interests Declaration Form;
• Confidentiality Agreement; and
• Personnel Screening, Consent and Authorization Form.

8.9 Deliberations and reports

Deliberations during meetings may be held in camera in order to foster open, frank, and free-flowing discussion. Meeting deliberations are not electronically recorded unless deemed necessary and otherwise agreed upon between the co-chairs and the Executive Secretary. The co-chairs and the Executive Secretary may grant observer status, for all, or part of, the Committee deliberations to selected individuals.

Only topics that fit within the mandate and science question of the Committee will be discussed. To promote ethical practices in scientific research, regulatory assessment, and in the use of scientific information, meeting deliberations will be held in line with the principles and all associated guidelines set out in the Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada Scientific Integrity Policy.

In keeping with the Official Languages Act, the Committee members have the right to participate in discussions in the official language of their choice. Information prepared for the Committee will be provided in both official languages. Technical information and scientific reviews shared with the Committee will be provided in the language they were created.

Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products' advice to the Minister must be provided to Health Canada in the form of an Advisory Report within 90 days of the meeting (or earlier), unless otherwise agreed upon between the PMRA and the SAC-PCP.

The PMRA will provide the SAC-PCP with an Agency employee to assist the SAC-PCP in drafting their advice and recommendations. In certain situations, the Committee may rely on external professional services to coordinate the development of the Advisory Report. The PMRA will be provided an opportunity to review the draft Advisory Report to provide comments of a factual nature, for the co-chairs' consideration, before the Report is finalized for submission to Health Canada.

The Advisory Report will outline advice on the science question(s). The Committee is encouraged to reach a consensus in providing advice whenever possible. When a consensus is not possible, the Advisory Report will reflect the diversity of opinions and/or lack of consensus. The reasons for a lack of consensus, if any, must be clearly identified and substantiated. In cases where there is a real divergence of opinion, the different opinions will be documented, and the number of members supporting each opinion recorded. Individual member positions or remarks will not be attributed in the Advisory Report.

Meeting summaries will be prepared by the Secretariat to summarize the proceedings. Remarks will not be attributed to individuals in the records.

When questions are not related to a specific pesticide evaluation or decision, the agenda and meeting summary, a summary of the Committee's advice and recommendations as set out in their Advisory Reports, and PMRA's response to the advice will be posted on Health Canada's website in both official languages. Copies of the full Advisory Reports will be available upon request. In the event that topics discussed are considered confidential (e.g., issues regarding a specific pesticide application), the relevant meeting documents will be handled in accordance with applicable Government of Canada legislation and policies.

8.10 Intellectual property

Health Canada must preserve its ability to freely use (for example publish, reproduce, translate) the work authored by members of the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products in their role as Committee members. As such, members who have contributed to the formulation of written materials in their role on the Committee will be required to assign to the Government of Canada any copyrights they own and to waive any moral rights they have in those materials. Written materials could include any documents, reports etc.

8.11 Review

The Executive Secretary, on behalf of the Minister, will review periodically the membership, mandate, activities, Terms of Reference, and relevance of the Committee to determine if it has met its objectives and continues to meet the needs of Health Canada. The Minister of Health retains the prerogative to disband the Committee or extend it as appropriate.

During the review process, feedback may be sought from members, participants, observers, and others.

The review may be conducted by Health Canada officials or by consultants hired by Health Canada. The review report will be submitted to the Minister of Health, who may then authorize its distribution to the Committee members.