About Us

Important Information

The mandate of the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) concluded on May 17, 2007 with the release of the Government of Canada’s Science and Technology (S&T;) Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage (www.ic.gc.ca/epublications). The S&T; Strategy announced the government's intention to create a new Science, Technology and Innovation Council as part of a broader effort to consolidate external advisory committees to strengthen the role of independent expert advisors. The new council will provide the government with policy advice on issues referred to it by the government and will release regular state-of-the-nation reports that track Canada’s S&T; performance and progress against international benchmarks of success.

The CBAC web site has been retained for historical and reference purposes only.

Background | Mandate | Reporting | Composition | Roles | Meetings

Background

The Government of Canada adopted its first National Biotechnology Strategy in 1983. It refocused its policies in 1993, with a revised Federal Regulatory Framework for Biotechnology. Again in 1998, in order to address a much broader range of emerging issues, the Government developed the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS).

The strategy recognizes that biotechnology is a powerful "enabling technology" with profound ramifications for the society, the economy and the public.

The CBS policy framework recognizes that biotechnology offers tremendous opportunity, but also triggers ethical and regulatory issues (e.g. genetically modified foods, patenting of higher life forms) that raise significant public concern.

Throughout the consultation process leading up to the development of the CBS, there was universal support both inside and outside of government for the development of a new body to advise the Government and Canadians.

The Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) was established in September 1999 by the Government of Canada as part of its Canadian Biotechnology Strategy.

In creating this body of external experts and lay persons, the Government responded to the need for ongoing expert advice on the full range of issues associated with biotechnology and its applications in our society. Engaging the people of Canada in the dialogue and providing them with accurate information that would contribute to our understanding of this emerging technology and its implications for Canada, were recognized as important.

Mandate

CBAC is mandated to provide comprehensive advice on current policy issues associated with the ethical, legal, social, regulatory, economic, scientific, environmental and health aspects of biotechnology. It is also tasked with providing Canadians with easy-to-understand information on biotechnology issues, and providing opportunities for Canadians to voice their views on the matters on which CBAC is offering advice to the Government.

Reporting

CBAC reports to the Biotechnology Ministerial Coordinating Committee (BMCC), which is comprised of the federal Ministers of Industry, Agriculture and Agri-food, Health, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources and International Trade. The work of CBAC is supported by a secretariat. The Canadian Biotechnology Secretariat supports the management and operations of the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy. The Secretariat performs two main functions:

1. to coordinate ’horizontal’ decision-making across the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy departments and agencies; and
2. to provide secretariat services for CBAC.

The federal government has approved $9.52 million annual funding for the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy. CBAC’s allocation is $2.25 million for projects, and operational and secretarial support.

Composition

The committee consists of a Chair and 12 to 20 members with a range of expertise. Members are appointed on the basis of individual attributes, not as representatives of particular interests. Members are nominated through a public nomination process. Nominations are reviewed by a Biotechnology Deputy Ministers Selection Panel according to specific criteria (expertise, knowledge, experience). Recommendations are made and members of CBAC are appointed by BMCC ministers.

Dr. Arnold Naimark, Director, Centre for the Advancement of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, chairs the committee. CBAC members represent a broad spectrum of society and bring expertise in diverse fields such as science, business, nutrition, law, environment, philosophy, ethics and public advocacy.

Members: 1999 to 2007

Roles and Responsibilities of Members

Terms of Appointment

The Chair and Committee members are normally appointed for a three-year term. Appointments can be extended at the discretion of the BMCC Ministers.

Expectations of Members

Members are expected to provide eight to ten days of service in attending meetings of CBAC as a whole and, in addition, are expected to read and respond to documents sent to them for review in preparation for CBAC meetings.

Members are expected to serve on subcommittees of CBAC and to participate actively in subcommittee meetings and teleconferences.

Members are expected to protect and maintain as confidential any privileged information divulged to them in the course of their work on the Committee.

Members are required to sign a conflict of interest declaration and a confidentiality agreement. In addition, members are expected to notify the Chair of CBAC of any circumstance which gives rise to an actual or potential conflict of commitment between their roles and responsibilities as members of CBAC and their roles and responsibilities in connection with other bodies - especially those whose interests coincide or overlap with those of CBAC.

Members are, on request, expected to provide such biographical information as may be required to meet CBAC’s commitment to openness.

Meetings

The Committee of the whole meets up to four times per year. There must be a quorum of members available (50% + 1 of regular members) to schedule a meeting. At least once a year, members will be consulted on the forward agenda during a planning session. The Committee may constitute specialized sub-committees and panels, commission studies, or liaise with outside organizations. Following each meeting, the Chair approves a meeting summary, which is available to the public on the Committee’s Web site.

Meeting Minutes