Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act (S.C. 2000, c. 6)

Act current to 2013-04-29 and last amended on 2012-06-29. Previous Versions

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act

S.C. 2000, c. 6

Assented to 2000-04-13

An Act to establish the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to repeal the Medical Research Council Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Preamble

WHEREAS Parliament recognizes

that Canadians value health as central to happiness and fulfilment, and aspire to be among the healthiest people in the world,

that Canada should be an internationally acknowledged leader in contributing to the global advancement of health research and that excellence in health research is fundamental to improving the health of Canadians and of the wider global community, and

that investment in health and the health care system is part of the Canadian vision of being a caring society;

WHEREAS Parliament recognizes that the provinces are responsible for the delivery of health care to Canadians and that the Government of Canada collaborates with provincial governments to support the health care system and health research;

WHEREAS Parliament believes that health research should

address the respective health issues of children, women and men and of the diverse populations of Canada,

be characterized by a transparent approach that facilitates accountability to Canadians, and

take into consideration ethical issues;

WHEREAS Parliament is cognizant of an historic opportunity to transform health research in Canada through the creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as a flexible mechanism that will continually align health research funding with changes in the manner in which health problems and opportunities are identified, understood and addressed;

WHEREAS Parliament believes that health research institutes should be created to coordinate, focus and integrate health research based on

an understanding of the multi-factorial nature of health problems and opportunities,

the involvement and recognition of, and respect for, health researchers from all research disciplines, and the cooperation of a wide range of partners from all relevant sectors, the provinces and other countries,

the attraction of the best health researchers in Canada and the world and their development and retention in Canada,

the creation of new scientific knowledge based on research that meets the highest international standards of excellence, and

the application of that knowledge to the development and implementation of innovative policy and practice;

WHEREAS Parliament understands that this transformation in health research can build on the legacy of excellence in health research already established in Canada, including the decisive contributions of the Medical Research Council and the National Health Research and Development Program, while understanding that the institutions, technologies and environment for health research have become more varied and complex than in the past;

WHEREAS Parliament recognizes that this transformation in Canadian health research will also enhance economic development in Canada and promote growth and job creation in key sectors of the knowledge-based economy;

AND WHEREAS Parliament believes that the Canadian Institutes of Health Research will provide the leadership required for this transformation and the continuing success of health research in Canada;

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

Marginal note:Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act.

INTERPRETATION

Marginal note:Definition of “Minister”

2. In this Act, “Minister” means the member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada who is designated by the Governor in Council for the purposes of this Act.

ESTABLISHMENT

Marginal note:Canadian Institutes of Health Research

  • 3. (1) There is hereby established a corporation, to be known as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in this Act referred to as the “CIHR”.

  • Marginal note:Agent of Her Majesty

    (2) The CIHR is an agent of Her Majesty in right of Canada.

  • Marginal note:Head office

    (3) The head office of the CIHR shall be at the place in Canada that is designated by the Governor in Council.

OBJECTIVE

Marginal note:Objective

4. The objective of the CIHR is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system, by

  • (a) exercising leadership within the Canadian research community and fostering collaboration with the provinces and with individuals and organizations in or outside Canada that have an interest in health or health research;

  • (b) creating a robust health research environment in Canada, based on internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence and a peer review process, that will attract, develop and keep excellent researchers and provide them with the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of people’s health in Canada and the world;

  • (c) forging an integrated health research agenda across disciplines, sectors and regions that reflects the emerging health needs of Canadians and the evolution of the health system and supports health policy decision-making;

  • (d) encouraging interdisciplinary, integrative health research through the creation of Health Research Institutes that

    • (i) together pertain to all aspects of health,

    • (ii) include bio-medical research, clinical research, research respecting health systems, health services, the health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health, and other research as required,

    • (iii) work in collaboration with the provinces to advance health research and to promote the dissemination and application of new research knowledge to improve health and health services, and

    • (iv) engage voluntary organizations, the private sector and others, in or outside Canada, with complementary research interests;

  • (e) promoting, assisting and undertaking research that meets the highest international scientific standards of excellence and ethics and that pertains to all aspects of health, including bio-medical research, clinical research and research respecting health systems, health services, the health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health;

  • (f) addressing emerging health opportunities, threats and challenges and accelerating the discovery of cures and treatments and improvements to health care, prevention and wellness strategies;

  • (g) fostering the discussion of ethical issues and the application of ethical principles to health research;

  • (h) promoting the dissemination of knowledge and the application of health research to improve the health of Canadians;

  • (i) encouraging innovation, facilitating the commercialization of health research in Canada and promoting economic development through health research in Canada;

  • (j) building the capacity of the Canadian health research community through the development of researchers and the provision of sustained support for scientific careers in health research;

  • (k) pursuing opportunities and providing support for the participation of Canadian scientists in international collaboration and partnerships in health research; and

  • (l) ensuring transparency and accountability to Canadians for the investment of the Government of Canada in health research.