The CIHR's Governing Council has a mandate to oversee the direction and management of the property, business and affairs of the CIHR. It fulfills its legislative mandate within a framework that is defined by The CIHR Act, the CIHR By-Law, and the CIHR Strategic Plan. Its actions are guided by a standard of conduct which is outlined in CIHR's Conflict of Interest Policy.
The CIHR Act is the legislation which established the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (June 7, 2000) as a Departmental Corporation and separate employer listed in Schedule II of the Financial Administration Act. As an arm's length agency of government, CIHR is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Health.
The legislation affirms the CIHR as the instrument by which the government seeks to transform health research in Canada. The CIHR Act outlines a framework for the organizational establishment of the corporation, its governance infrastructure, responsibilities of the President and Governing Council, and establishment of the CIHR Institutes.
As a Departmental Corporation, CIHR has a By-Law which enables operations to fall within a legal corporate framework. The By-Law reflects The CIHR Act and acts as a guide for the conduct of activities, provides routine delegation of administrative maters to officials, and allows for the creation of specific committees.
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The CIHR Conflict of Interest Policy is designed to establish a standard of conduct applicable to its Governing Council members, members of Governing Council's advisory committees, members of Institute Advisory Boards, and all officers and staff of the corporation. The promotion of this policy lends to public confidence, and ensures the integrity of CIHR activities.
The Governing Council oversees the direction and management of the property, business and affairs of the CIHR. As outlined in The CIHR Act, the responsibilities of Governing Council include:
To help the Governing Council in the discharge of its duties, it established by by-law an Executive Committee, a Nominating Committee, and five permanent advisory committees.
From time to time, the Governing Council will establish working groups with specific mandates and time frames to assist Council in the conduct of its business.
