Terms of Reference

On this page:

• Purpose
• Mandate
• Membership
• Reporting Structure
• Operations
• Tenure
• Security and Conduct
• Compensation

Purpose

The Pest Management Advisory Council (PMAC) is a multi-stakeholder group that fosters communication and dialogue among stakeholders and with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), and provides advice directly to the Minister of Health on policies and issues relating to the federal pest management regulatory system. Decision making remains the responsibility of the PMRA.

Mandate

• To provide recommendations on broad strategic directions, management, and overall priorities for the PMRA;
• To provide a challenge function to ensure that PMRA programs are consistent with the needs of Canadians within the overall national and global environmental, social, and economic context;
• To provide advice and a forum for the exchange of views of all key stakeholders on issues affecting the management of pest control products in Canada;
• To receive and review reports from Council working groups.

Membership

Membership of the Council will consist of individuals providing a balanced representation of interests in pest management issues, including pesticide manufacturers and users, environmental and health groups, and individuals with appropriate expertise. In addition, an appropriate balance of gender, regional and linguistic diversity will be respected to the extent possible.

The PMRA will be represented by the Executive Director.

Provincial representation will be assumed by the first past provincial co-chair of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Committee on Pest Management and Pesticides.

The Health Canada Science Advisory Board will be represented by the Chair, or an appropriate designate.

The Minister will appoint a Chair and approximately 23 Council members. The Minister will also appoint a Vice-Chair to act in the absence of the Chair.

Council members representing associations may nominate one permanent alternate. (Throughout the terms of reference, the word "member" should be read as "member/alternate".)

Secretariat functions will be provided by the PMRA.

Reporting Structure

Following each meeting, the Minister will be advised through a written report from the Council.

The Secretariat will prepare a draft meeting report. The report will include recommendations and advice provided by members. It will be circulated for members' review and will be finalized once comments are received and incorporated.

The final meeting report will be provided to the Minister of Health by the Chair, and the Secretariat will publish the report on the Health Canada website.

Operations

Meetings

There will be at least one meeting a year. Meetings may be more frequent, at the call of the Chair. In setting meeting dates, the Secretariat will make every attempt to accommodate the availability of as many members as possible.

All members of the Council will have equal status during discussions.

PMRA staff, other than the Executive Director, may not serve as members of the Council, but will respond to questions and provide information at the call of the Chair.

Observers

Meetings will be open to any observers who request permission from the Secretariat in advance. The Secretariat has the right to deny requests, including those made by PMRA staff members, on the basis of balance, venue capacity or other considerations.

Interested persons may submit written comments before or after meetings, or make short statements at a specified time during meetings, to the extent that time permits.

Observers will not be provided meeting documentation.

The Council reserves the right to meet "in camera" where necessary. Meeting agenda will indicate any closed sessions where possible.

Working Groups

The Council may set up working groups to examine specific issues and develop proposed solutions for the Council's consideration. Issues to be examined may be raised by the Minister, by the PMRA or by Council members.

Each working group will be co-chaired by a senior official of the PMRA and another member of the working group. Council members and non-members may serve on working groups.

Working groups will report back to the PMAC on a regular basis.

Tenure

The Chair is appointed for a term of three years; the Minister may extend the term.

Members are appointed for a term of one to three years; the Minister may reappoint sitting members.

Security and Conduct

All PMAC and working group members are required to undergo a security screening and obtain a Government of Canada "reliability status".

All information identified as "designated" (Protected) that is provided by the PMRA to the PMAC and working group members, for the purpose of performing their responsibilities, must be kept secured until such time as the information has been officially released by the Government of Canada.

Disclosure of unreleased information by the direct recipient or any officer, servant or agent of the recipient is prohibited unless permission is provided by the Executive Director, PMRA.

Unless officially released by the Government of Canada, any designated (Protected) information must be returned to the PMRA.

Where a document or information is received by the Council under agreement that the members are not to have, make or cause any public discussion, disclosure or use of the document or information without the Council's consent, Council members shall be deemed to have undertaken to comply with that agreement.

Council members may distribute and/or discuss, as necessary to properly represent their association or sector at the meeting, documentation provided in advance of meetings that is not identified as Protected.

Upon acceptance of appointment, and as a condition of membership, members shall conduct themselves in such a manner as to avoid any real, potential or apparent conflict of interest. Each member of the Council will receive complete information on their obligations with respect to conflict of interest and will be required to complete and sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form.

Compensation

Members of the Council and the Chair will be compensated for travel and living expenses directly related to their work on the Council. Compensation will be subject to the Treasury Board's Directive on the Management of Expenditures on Travel, Hospitality and Conferences and the National Joint Council's Travel Directive. Honoraria will not be paid.