Call for Nominations - Background Document

Non-Governmental Representation on the Canadian Delegation to the Conference of the Parties II

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is a World Health Organization led international public health treaty designed to control tobacco demand and consumption.  It sets out minimum standards for domestic tobacco control initiatives, and provides a framework for international cooperation. The objective of the Convention is to protect present and future generations from the health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke, through an international framework of collective measures for tobacco control. 

The Convention was adopted by the World Health Assembly on May 21, 2003. The FCTC came into force on February 27, 2005. The FCTC is one of the most widely signed Conventions, with 168 signatories to the Convention, as of October 17, 2006.  There are currently 140 countries that have ratified the FCTC, out of the 192 WHO member states.

The coming into force of the treaty marked the transition to the implementation phase of FCTC-specific provisions.  As outlined in Article 23 of the Convention, a Conference of the Parties (CoP) was established and met for the first time in February 2006 to begin work on translating the treaty into national and international policies and programs.

Canada's Role in Negotiating and Implementing FCTC

The FCTC is, in part, a Canadian initiative and Canada actively participated in and supported its negotiation. The legislative and regulatory frameworks underpinning Canada's approach to tobacco control, along with Canada's extensive experience in tobacco control programming inspired much of the design and content of the FCTC. 

Six different negotiating sessions and two working group meetings were held from October 2000 to February 2005. In February 2006 the first Conference of the Parties meeting was held. A Canadian delegation, led by Health Canada and made up of various government departments, a provincial/territorial representative and a non-governmental organization (NGO) representative was present at each of these sessions. Canada will continue to be looked to for leadership during the implementation phase of the FCTC. 

As we move forward with the FCTC, Health Canada would like to ensure the continued participation of NGOs in the implementation. An open and transparent process is being put into place to select an appropriate NGO representative for the Canadian Delegation to the second Conference of the Parties meeting. Through this process, Health Canada hopes to achieve broad representation on the Canadian Delegation over time. For future Conference of the Parties meetings there may be a requirement to limit the scope of participation to people within specific areas of expertise based on the topics to be covered at the meeting.

The next Conference of the Parties will be held from June 30 to July 6, 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will be held at the United Nations Conference Centre.

NGO

All representatives from non-governmental organizations working within the area of tobacco control are eligible for nomination.

Candidates with a wide range of tobacco control experience, a strong knowledge of the Canadian context for tobacco control (including successes, lessons learned, limitations within the system, current legislation and implementation), and knowledge of international tobacco control activities will be given priority in the selection process.

Candidates must be available for the full duration of the Conference of the Parties meeting and must have the approval and support of their respective organizations to participate.

Nominations

Nominations are due to the Tobacco Control Programme by 4:00 pm Wednesday January 24, 2007.

Suzy McDonald
Tobacco Control Programme, Health Canada
123 Slater Street, MacDonald Building
PL 3506C
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Tel: 613-946-6756
Fax: 613-952-5188
E-mail: infotobacco@hc-sc.gc.ca

Nominations are accepted via email, fax and mail. Receipt of nominations will be acknowledged. Only nominations received prior to the deadline will be eligible.

Call for Nominations - Non-Governmental Organizations
Nomination Form - Non-Governmental Organizations

Travel

All travel arrangements for the selected candidate will be made by the Tobacco Control Programme at Health Canada in accordance with Treasury Board Guidelines. Candidates will not be compensated by Health Canada for their participation or for their time away from work. All travel documents (with the exception of country visas), immunizations, medical and dental insurance and medications are the full responsibility of the selected candidates.

Selection Process

A Selections Committee will be established in order to ensure transparency in the selections process. Selected candidates will be notified in sufficient time for them to be able to fully participate in all Canadian delegation meetings prior to the Conference of the Parties.

Nominations Selection Committee: Terms of Reference