Terms of Reference of the Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines

As of February 2011, the Expert Advisory Group is no longer active. The work of this committee has now concluded.

Purpose:
The Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines will be responsible to provide advice and recommendations to Health Canada on the revision of the recommendations pertaining to the following two sections of the 1999 document Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy - National Guidelines for the Childbearing Years: Nutrients of Special Concern; and Gestational Weight Gain.

It is recognized that the ultimate decision-making authority and accountability rests with Health Canada.

Objectives:
The Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines will support the revision of the 1999 guidelines by:

a) advising on the proposed revisions; and
b) reviewing and commenting on the draft materials for consultation and the final documents.

Responsibility Centre:
Responsibility for the Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines rests with the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Health Products and Food Branch.

Coordination:
The member from the Office on Nutrition Policy and Promotion shall serve as coordinator of the Expert Advisory Group.

Membership:
The Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines will be appointed by the Director General of the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion. It will be composed of 8 to 10 individuals who:

a) in aggregate, provide a balance of knowledge and expertise in the area of prenatal nutrition;
b) represent a diversity of regions and perspectives; and
c) are able to devote the time and attention required by the activities of the Group, estimated at 10 days/year.

The Group may form sub-committees or seek ad hoc members, where necessary, to ensure adequate expertise on matters referred to the Group.

Reporting Structure:
The Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines reports to the Director General of the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Health Products and Food Branch.

Secretariat:
The Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion will provide secretariat support to the Group.

Tenure:
Members of the Group are appointed by Health Canada for the duration of the revision process (approximately 24 months).

An individual may withdraw from service on the Group at any time upon written notification to the Director General, Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

Membership may be terminated at any time upon written notification from the Director General, Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

Meetings:
The Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines will meet twice per year, with additional meetings if necessary, and will exchange information through various means of communication to complete its task in a timely manner. Subgroups could be established and meet according to needs.

Security Clearance and Conflict of Interest:
Members will be required to undergo a security clearance to the "reliability status" level.

Documents leaving Health Canada must be securely stored and the content must not be discussed with others, and any confidential information provided must be returned or securely destroyed.

Members must refrain from any conflict of interest. In situations where a real or potential conflict of interest arises in the course of the work of the committee, the individual involved must declare this conflict, and disqualify himself/herself from participation in any discussions on that subject matter.

Guidance on conflict of interest will be provided to potential members when discussing the appointment. Before appointment, members will be required to submit conflict of interest declarations to disclose any circumstance that may place, or be seen to place, the member in a real, apparent, or potential conflict of interest. This information will be updated annually. It will be incumbent upon the member to update his/her disclosure, should his/her personal situation change or where matters before the working group may affect the conflict of interest situation of a member.

All members are expected to protect and maintain as privileged information divulged during the work of the Expert Advisory Group. Members must not discuss this information with persons not on the Group, or divulge information obtained from the work of the Group, including presentations made to it, until such time as this information has been officially released for public distribution.

Funding and Expenses:
The Expert Advisory Group budget will be administered by the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

Members will be compensated for travel expenses according to Federal government policy. No honoraria will be provided to members to attend meetings and fulfill their general commitment to the Group.

Specific contractual arrangements will be made should additional work be offered or assigned to Expert Advisory Group members.

Management and Administration:
The Expert Advisory Group on National Nutrition Pregnancy Guidelines will be supported by an Internal Work Group composed of staff from selected bureaus within Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The internal group will function to identify and prioritize issues for review; identify resources available within Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada; and prepare background papers and draft documents that will be useful to the Expert Group.

The minutes of the meetings will be kept to the minimum detail required to summarize effectively the proceedings in a document called Meeting Summary.