HPFB Policy on Voluntary Statement of Information for Public Involvement (VSI-PI)

Over the next 10-12 months, the Office of Consumer and Public Involvement (OCAPI) will focus test a new policy aimed at increasing the transparency of the public involvement processes of the Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB).

The policy is intended to encourage all participants to voluntarily provide basic information about themselves and/or the organizations they represent before they participate in a public involvement activity. A summary of the information will be shared with all participants at the time of the meeting and appended to any report issued after the meeting. It will also be posted on this site.

The summary would include information on the organization's mandate, the scope of its membership, the stakeholder group to which the individual or organization belongs (e.g., health professional, voluntary organization, academic community, etc.). It would also cover the participant's relationships, interests or affiliations (financial and non-financial) with any other organization likely to be impacted by the topic under consideration.

OCAPI believes this new Voluntary Statement of Information policy will foster better understanding and appreciation of the various stakeholder groups participating in these activities. If you care to comment on the policy, please click here. View Questions and Answers pertaining to the Policy on Voluntary Statement of Information. OCAPI will report on the findings of the focus testing before systematically implementing the policy across the Branch.