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A Chronology of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act
| 2007 | On December 1, 2007, regulations for Section 8 (Consent to Use) of the Act came into effect, prohibiting the use of human reproductive material for the purpose of creating an embryo and the use in vitro embryos for any purpose, unless written consent is provided by the donor. |
| 2007 | December 21, 2006, the government announced the appointment of a President, Chairperson, and other members of the inaugural Board of Directors for Assisted Human Reproduction Canada. |
| 2006 | On January 12, 2006, the federal agency provided for in the AHR Act was established. Known as Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC), the agency is responsible for the administration of the Act, including activities related to compliance, the issuing and review of licences, and the collection and analysis of health reporting information. |
| 2004 | On April 22, 2004, many of the key provisions of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act come into force. This includes: the prohibitions listed in sections 5 through 9 (except for section 8), the "controlled activities" which are outlined in sections 10-13 (except for section 12), and section 71 (the "grandfathering" provision). The remaining provisions of the Act will come into force according to a staged approach. |
| 2004 | The Assisted Human Reproduction Act receives Royal Assent on March 29, thus becoming law. This Act ensures that Canada has one of the most comprehensive legislative frameworks in the world regarding AHR. It prohibits human cloning and other unacceptable activities, while protecting the health and safety of Canadians who use AHR. The Act provides controls for AHR- related research and will lead to the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada, responsible for licensing, inspecting and enforcing activities controlled under the Act. |
| 2004 | Senate adopts Bill C-6 (formerly Bill C-13), An Act Respecting Assisted Human Reproduction and Related Research: The Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology reviewed the Bill and unanimously passed it on March 3, 2004. The legislation, also referred to as the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, has now received its final approval in order to become law. |
| 2003 | The proposed legislation passes Third Reading in The House of Commons: On October 28, 2003, the House of Commons passed Bill C-13 (formerly Bill C-56) by a vote of 149-109. On Nov 7, 2003, completed Second Reading and referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. |
| 2002 | Introduction of the proposed legislation, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act: In response to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's Report, the Minister of Health introduced Bill C-56 which would establish a legislative and regulatory framework to address issues relating to assisted human reproduction and research involving the in vitro embryo. |
| 2001 | Parliament studies draft legislation: The Minister of Health presented the draft AHR legislative proposals to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health on May 3, and asked the Committee to review the draft legislation and provide recommendations. The Committee did so on December 12. |
| 2000 | Consultations: In preparation of draft legislation Health Canada consulted with stakeholders and provincial and territorial representatives. A feedback report was issued and shared with all participants following the consultations. |
| 1996 | Introduction of Bill C-47, the Human Reproductive and Genetic Technologies Act: This Bill proposed a series
of prohibitions based on the voluntary moratorium. Although
approved by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health,
the Bill died on the Order Paper with the dissolution of Parliament
in the Spring of 1997. Stakeholder consultations: When Bill C-47 was tabled, Health Canada published Setting Boundaries, Enhancing Health, outlining the government's intention to establish a regulatory framework to enhance the protection of Canadians using AHR to build their families. |
| 1995 | Introduction of voluntary moratorium: Addressing some of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, the Minister of Health introduced a voluntary moratorium on many of the activities the Royal Commission had found problematic. An advisory committee was established the following year to help monitor compliance by researchers and health professionals. |
| 1993 | Report of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies: The Royal Commission spent four years examining activities related to assisted human reproduction (AHR) in Canada. In its final report, the Royal Commission recommended the federal government ban certain activities, such as human cloning, creating animal-human hybrids and commercial surrogacy, and establish an independent regulatory body to govern permissible assisted human reproduction activities. |
