Summary of Discussion: Science Advisory Board Meeting: March 25-27, 2008

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

Table of Contents

Day 1

• Preliminary Matters
• Orientation Presentations - Part I
• Laboratory Visit
• Orientation Presentations - Part II
• Concluding Remarks/Adjournment

Day 2

• Introductory Remarks
• Update from Health Canada
• Update from Health Policy Branch
• Climate Change and Health
• Canadian Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Vaccination Initiative
• Statements from Members
• Health Canada's Science and Technology Strategy (S&T)

Day 3

• Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) Presentations
  • Strategic Science Plan for HPFB
  • Science Expenditures and Personnel Trends – focus on HPFB
• Review of Paper Updates
  • HPFB Descriptive Statistics of Scientific Expertise
• SAB Secretariat Update
• Agenda for Next Meeting
• Adjournment

---

Science Advisory Board Members
Arnold Naimark (Chair), Andreas Laupacis (Co-Chair), Renaldo
Battista, Jacques Simard, Mamoru Watanabe, Howard Palley,
Louise Lemieux-Charles, Arminée Kazanjian, Stephen Bornstein,
Kathryn O'Hara, John O'Neil, Claire Franklin

Regrets
Renée Lyons, Mark Goldberg, Rémi Quirion, Chris Loomis

Ex-Officio Members
Morris Rosenberg, Suzanne Vinet, Karen Dodds, Frank Plummer, Richard Aucoin, Stéphane Lessard

Alternates
Monique Stewart

Regrets
Ian Potter, Susan Fletcher, Meena Ballantyne, David Butler-Jones,
Kin Choi, Alfred Tsang, Carolina Giliberti, Pierre Chartrand, Bernard Dickens

Invited Guests
Peter Chan, Director General, Health Evaluation Directorate, Pest Management Regulatory Affairs (PMRA)
David Blakey, Director, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB)
Jack Cornett, Director, Radiation Protection Bureau, HECSB
Christine Reissmann, Director, Risk Management Decision Sciences, Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB)
Jocelynn Cook, Manager, Research Coordination Unit, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB)
Hélène Quesnel, Director General, Policy Development Directorate, Health Policy Branch (HPB)
Mostafa Askari, Director General, Applied Research and Analysis Directorate, HPB
Charles Mallory, Director, Applied Research and Analysis Directorate, HPB
Jim Frehs, Manager, Climate Change and Health Division, HECSB
Steven Sternthal, Special Advisor, Infectious Disease and Emergency Preparedness, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Ellen Birnbaum, Manager, Horizontal Strategies, Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), HPB
Diane Allan, Director, Office of Science and Risk Management, HPFB

Other Guests
Lisa Wardell
Martin Lawrence
Ken McAllister

Secretariat
Laird Roe
Glenn Easton
Aara Sidenius
Suzi Vivolo
Stephanie Goodfellow

---

Boardroom 0115C, Brooke Claxton Building
Tunney's Pasture
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Day 1

1. Preliminary matters

Opening / Welcoming Remarks provided by Andreas Laupacis, SAB Co-Chair

2. Orientation Presentations - Part I

Presentations by Health Canada branches: Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Health Environments Consumer Safety Branch and Health Products and Food Branch.

Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA):

Peter Chan, Director General, Health Evaluation Directorate, provided an overview of PMRA's mission, values, mandate, roles and responsibilities.

Health Environments Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB):

David Blakey, Director, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, and Jack Cornett, Director, Radiation Protection Bureau, provided an overview of the Branch and its associated programs.

Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB):

Christine Reissmann, Director, Risk Management Decision Sciences, provided an overview of HPFB's responsibilities, directorates and current priorities.

3. Laboratory Visit

David Blakey, Director Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, led a tour of Environmental Health Centre.

4. Orientation Presentations - Part II

Presentations by Health Canada branches: First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Policy Branch, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB):

Jocelynn Cook, Manager, Research Coordination Unit, provided an overview of the use of science and research in the branch, and how it is incorporated into policy and development.

Health Policy Branch (HPB):

Hélène Quesnel, Director General, Policy Development Directorate, and Mostafa Askari, Director General, Applied Research and Analysis Directorate, provided an overview of HPB activities and how science is used to inform policy development.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC):

Frank Plummer, Scientific Director General, PHAC, provided an overview of PHAC including the Agency's vision, structure and relationships.

Action Item: There should be consideration given to how the SAB can best address the science advice needs of PHAC. Options discussed include allocating a portion of the SAB meeting agenda to PHAC issues or alternatively, the creation of a parallel science advisory body led by PHAC.

5. Concluding Remarks/Adjournment

Arnold Naimark, SAB Chair.

Ottawa Marriott Hotel
100 Kent Street
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Day 2

1. Introductory Remarks

Arnold Naimark, SAB Chair.

Formal welcome of new SAB members: Claire Franklin and John O'Neil.

Agenda change: preliminary discussion of the SAB review took place on Day 1, in addition to the scheduled discussion on Day 2, as part of the period devoted to "Statements from Members" (see below).

2. Update from Health Canada

Presentation by: Morris Rosenberg, Deputy Minister, Health Canada.

The Deputy Minister's (DM) presentation covered the governmental policy context for the work of the SAB, the findings of the SAB review report, the continued importance of the role of the SAB and how the move of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) into the Health Policy Branch will serve to strengthen the Department's capacity to take concrete actions, as appropriate, in response to SAB advice. A key point was made about the Department focusing on the timing and preparation of issues being brought to the SAB in order for the SAB to provide advice to the Department and the Minister (i.e. completing the necessary policy thinking in advance).

The DM indicated that consideration is being given as to how to address the findings of the SAB review to ensure a renewed relationship between the SAB and the Department.

SAB members provided insights regarding steps which could be taken to improve the relationship between the SAB and the Department including: the need for a strong liaison to act between the SAB and the Department related to bringing matters to the SAB for discussion; the need for an understanding of the role of the SAB and the nature of the advice that it is expected to tender; the need to focus on science issues and to develop meaningful agendas linked to strategic Department priorities and; the utility of creating a repository for the science advice of the SAB and a way to track what is done with its advice.

The DM emphasized the importance of the engagement between the SAB and scientists/the Department over an ability to track the precise steps taken pursuant to that advice.

3. Update from the Health Policy Branch

Presentation by: Karen Dodds, Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Health Policy Branch.

The ADM described the context and vision for the science-policy interface, the rationale for the move of the OCS into HPB, the changes to the Chief Scientist position, including the likelihood of a change to the title, and the contextual implications of the recently announced federal Science and Technology Strategy.

SAB members commented on the utility of SAB linkages with other science advisory bodies within, and external to, the Department.

Concerns were expressed about the ability of the SAB to respond to both emerging science issues and substantive programmatic developments of importance to the Department when only meeting twice a year.

The ADM reinforced the DM's message of personal support for the SAB.

4. Climate Change and Health

Presentation by: Charles Mallory, Director, Applied Research and Analysis Directorate, HPB, and Jim Frehs, Manager, Climate Change and Health Division, HECSB.

The presentation dealt with major initiatives, international linkages and next steps related to research on climate change and emerging scientific challenges.

SAB members also discussed the challenge of setting priorities given the complexity and diversity of the issues involved.

The SAB emphasized the need to work closely with researchers in Canada and abroad engaged in similar/related work and to ensure that the information generated reached the broadest possible audience.

5. Canadian HIV Vaccination Initiative

Presentation by: Steven Sternthal, Special Advisor, Infectious Disease and Emergency Preparedness, PHAC and Frank Plummer, Scientific Director General, PHAC.

The presentation covered the background of the initiative, the timeframe for vaccine manufacture, the implications of the partnership with the Gates Foundation and, the potential for other public-private partnerships modeled on the current initiative.

In general, SAB members viewed the current initiative as positive and as a potential model for leveraging philanthropic contributions to the implementation of a national research agenda.

6. Statements from Members

A preliminary discussion of the Draft SAB Review Report was led by Renaldo Battista. SAB members were in general agreement with the findings and recommendations of the Report and felt that the Report was on the whole positive.

Several SAB members discussed with the ADM HPB the issue of the need to rejuvenate the relationship/engagement between the SAB and the Department as well as, the mandate/role of the SAB and how its provision of advice on quality and relevance of science used and performed by Health Canada might be better facilitated.

Insights from SAB members included: the need for more support within the Department if the SAB is to provide detailed science advice on specific issues; the need for increased Departmental involvement with the SAB meetings (e.g. ADM's presence at the table); the need to have the SAB fulfill a necessary and well-understood role with the Department; the need to build the culture of science; the need to work on building both internal and external links; a need to articulate the way the SAB relates to the Department; and the role of the SAB in identifying emerging issues and engaging in "foresight" discussions.

SAB members expressed concerns about the move of the OCS to HPB, and its implications with respect to the value the Department places on science and the engagement with the SAB going forward

It was also noted that the difference in the way science is used by PHAC and Health Canada will need to be taken into account as the SAB takes a more formal role in serving both the Agency and the Department.

7. Health Canada's Science & Technology (S&T) Strategy

Presentation by Laird Roe, A/Director, Policy Planning and Partnerships, OCS, HPB and Ellen Birnbaum, Manager, Horizontal Strategies, OCS, HPB.

The SAB had earlier received a summary of a draft document on a Health Canada S&T Strategy that was to form the basis of broad consultation. The consultations have been deferred pending refinement and further development of the consultation document. The SAB discussion focused on a more recent draft document with a view to offering some feedback early in the revision process.

SAB members urged that careful distinction be drawn between statements of goals and objectives and the strategies for achieving them. They also identified the need to avoid highly abstract terminology in favour of plain language and identification of practical implications - given that the target readership for the ultimate strategy document is bound to be diverse.

It was further suggested that the document include a discussion of the relationship between the future scope and depth of the Department's functions (e.g., in respect of regulatory functions) and the strategic objectives identified.

While a single coherent document that captures all aspects of science within the Department is necessary and desirable as a reference document; it is worth considering the formulation of customized versions for use with different groups.

The SAB noted that articulating a coherent S&T strategy needed to be accompanied by a strategic plan that includes specific objectives and measures of achievement.

SAB members indicated an interest in being engaged on the next iteration of the document.

Ottawa Marriott Hotel
100 Kent Street
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Day 3

1. HPFB Presentations

1.1 Strategic Science Plan for HPFB

Presentation by: Diane Allan, Director, Office of Science and Risk Management, HPFB.

Discussion about the language used and the steps to be take to improve the overall clarity and accessibility of the document. The diagram settling out the five year HPFB Strategic Science Plan was seen as useful but in need of clarification.

Comments were made regarding the objectives (links to core mandate of the Branch), the need in due course to reconcile the HPFB Plan with the Health Canada S&T Strategy and the need to include a socio-cultural perspective.

SAB members indicated an interested in being updated on the development of the document.

1.2 Science Expenditures and Personnel Trends - focus on HPFB

Presentation by: Diane Allan, Director, Office of Science and Risk Management, HPFB

Discussion was focused on the definition/classification of "science" jobs, the qualifications of Health Canada employees and linkages between academic and government scientists and science.

2. Review of Paper Updates

2.1 HPFB Descriptive Statistics of Scientific Expertise

No discussion occurred.

3. SAB Secretariat Update

Presentation by: Glenn Easton, Manager, Policy, Planning and Partnership, OCS, HPB.

Mr. Easton introduced the new SAB Secretariat members: Aara Sidenius, Stephanie Goodfellow and himself.

Action items for OCS identified in the ensuing discussion:

OCS should provide information on use of the SAB extranet to both new and continuing members (including user IDs and passwords).

OCS should review back-up contacts in the event that the Chair is unavailable to the OCS.

Action Items:

Discuss with the DM mechanisms by which the SAB may be apprised of and provide advice on issues relevant to science in Health Canada that may be discussed at the Science, Technology and Innovation Council.

Feedback from SAB should be sought regarding the presentations in order to improve the agendas and create a positive, productive relationship.

4. Agenda for Next Meeting

Arnold Naimark, SAB Chair.

Key questions: 1) Are there specific changes that have been or should be made to the Terms of Reference of the SAB? 2) Are there specific changes needed related to logistics and the modus operandi of the SAB itself?

Related questions: Has what we are doing worked? Do we want to create more opportunities for SAB members to work together? How do we create enough opportunities for scientists and scientific leaders to talk to SAB members, rather than only the Branch managers? Need to seek feedback from Branches regarding whether the SAB interactions are useful.

Other possible topics: next iteration of the Health Canada S&T Strategy; SAB membership; tracking and evaluating SAB input; ongoing items relating to scientific integrity issues.

OCS-identified questions: how can the SAB participate in activities and initiatives that aren't necessarily going to fit into a 6-month schedule?

Action item: The next meeting of the SAB to be scheduled for June.

5. Adjournment

Closing remarks by: Arnold Naimark, SAB Chair.