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As Canada’s new Minister of Health, it is my pleasure to present Assisted Human Reproduction Canada’s 2007-08 Departmental Performance Report.
Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC) was created to protect and promote the health, safety, dignity and rights of Canadians who use or are born of assisted human reproduction (AHR) technologies. AHRC was also created to foster the application of ethical principles in their use and development.
As the federal regulatory body that oversees the area of AHR and related research, AHRC has a valuable role to play.
The importance of AHRC's work for the thousands of Canadians across the country who need help in having the children they want cannot be understated. AHRC works to ensure that the gift of life made possible by assisted human reproductive technologies happens in a safe, healthy and dignified way.
In 2007-08, AHRC continued the important work of building strong and productive partnerships with organizations working in the field of assisted human reproduction in Canada and around the world.
Moving forward, the Agency remains committed to becoming a centre of expertise and focal point on AHR information for policy makers, practitioners, researchers, patients, offspring and interested Canadians.
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Assisted human reproduction (AHR) is a complex field that challenges our very understanding of what it is to be human, and poses risks and opportunities for individuals and communities. Beyond the health and safety considerations associated with these technologies, AHR touches on issues related to the dignity and rights of Canadians.
To effectively regulate this complex area requires the full engagement, involvement and commitment of all parties with a role to play in these vitally important issues. With this in mind, a major focus of our Agency's work is reaching out to all Canadians who want to contribute to these matters.
We have also made significant progress in establishing the infrastructure and the networks necessary to safeguard the health and safety of Canadians who wish to build their families through reproductive technologies. At the same time, we are focusing on monitoring and enforcing compliance of the AHR Act and Section 8 Regulations.
AHRC is committed to working closely with Canadians to build a strong and open relationship based on doing what is right for the health, safety, rights and dignity of individuals who turn to AHR to produce the children they desire.
Dr. Elinor Wilson
President
Management Representation Statement
I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2007-08 Departmental Performance Report for Assisted Human Reproduction Canada.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2007-08 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
Name:
Dr. Elinor Wilson
Title:
President
Assisted Human Reproduction Canada
Department's Reason for Existence - The Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada (AHRC) was established in 2006 under the authority of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. The AHR Act seeks to protect and promote the health, safety, dignity and rights of Canadians in the use of assisted human reproduction (AHR) technologies, prohibits unacceptable activities such as human cloning and places controls over AHR related research and activities. The Agency is responsible for the issuance and review of licences, the collection and analysis of health reporting information, and for carrying out inspections and enforcement related to activities controlled under the Act.
Financial Resources (in $ thousands)
2007-08 |
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Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual Spending |
13,476 | 13,476 | 4,898 |
Human Resources
2007-08 |
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Planned |
Actual |
Difference |
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2007-08 |
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Status on Performance |
Planned Spending |
Actual |
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Strategic Outcome: Strategic Outcome: Protection and promotion of the health and safety of Canadians against the risks associated with assisted human reproduction |
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Priority No. 1 |
Program Activity - Licencing and Enforcement of a Regulatory Framework for Assisted Human Reproduction Technologies Expected Results:
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Performance Status: Met some expectations. In anticipation of the AHR regulations coming into force, focused on developing core AHRC capacity:
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6,076 | 3,051 | |
Priority No. 2 |
Program Activity - Health Information and Knowledge Management for Assisted Human Reproduction Technologies Expected Results:
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Performance Status: Met some expectations. In anticipation of the regulations coming into force, AHRC:
In addition to the above:
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7,400 | 1,847 |
Departmental Context
In 1993, the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies issued its report entitled. "Proceed with Care." Commissioners spent four years examining assisted human reproduction (AHR) activities in Canada. They heard from 40,000 Canadians, including doctors, medical organizations and ordinary citizens, before issuing their final report. The report called on the Government of Canada to ban activities such as human cloning, payment for sperm or eggs, and commercial surrogacy. It also recommended the creation of an independent regulatory body to govern permissible AHR activities.
The Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of Canada (AHRC) was established in January, 2006 to administer the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. The President took office in February, 2007. The Agnecy's mission is to protect and promote the health and safety of donors, patients and offspring born of assisted human reproduction (AHR) technologies. Its mandate is to administer a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework that enforces prohibitions and regulates acceptable controlled activities in Canada. In fulfilling its duties, AHRC may exercise powers in relation to licenses; designate inspectors to enforce the Act; maintain relationships with stakeholders including health practitioners, patients and researchers; collect, analyse and manage health reporting information relating to controlled activities.
The Agency may also provide information to the public and to professionals regarding AHR; monitor technological advances and trends in AHR; and advise the Minister of Health on issues related to AHR.
Health Canada is responsible for developing policy and completing Canada's regulatory framework under the Act. Core components of the regulatory framework to enable AHRC to begin licensing and inspections of facilities are being developed. Therefore, no licences are being issued at this time. Accordingly, the immediate priorities for AHRC's management team and Board of Directors have been the start-up of the Agency's operations, developing the core capacity to administer the regulations once they come into force, engaging key stakeholders and participating in outreach initiatives with the public.
Members of the Board of Directors have participated in sessions to familiarize themselves with pertinent issues related to assisted human reproduction. The Board also adopted by-laws which provide a definition of their roles and responsibilities as well as an operational structure for the Agency.
Overview of Agency Performance
Creating the infrastructure
AHRC is awaiting the regulations necessary to give effect to key elements of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act that give it the authority to implement and enforce the legislation's provisions. AHRC is engaged in the following activities:
Until the regulations are in place, AHRC will continue to only staff positions that meet immediate organizational requirements.
Building productive partnerships
Reaching out to Canadians
Implementing the Regulations - "Consent to Use"
The first set of regulations developed by Health Canada came into force on December 1, 2007. These regulations fulfill legislative requirements under Section 8 of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. This section states that written consent is required from a donor to use human reproductive material to create an embryo or to use in vitro embryos for any purpose. The regulations specify the type of information that the donor must receive before giving their consent, the requirements for consent and the withdrawal of consent.
AHRC engaged in the following activities:
Departmental Link to Government of Canada Outcome Areas
AHRC contributes to a "Whole of Government" approach of fostering Healthy Canadians.
Specifically, the Agency will protect the health, safety and dignity of Canadians using AHR technologies by enforcing regulations.
AHRC protects the health and safety of Canadians using AHR technologies by providing them with information to make informed decisions about the use of AHR technologies.
Offspring born of AHR technologies will have access to the genealogical and medical histories of their genetic donors.
The program for 2007-08 was unchanged from 2006-07. Consequently there have been no changes to the PAA strategic outcomes and activities.