Launching the New Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products

As reported in March 2022, Health Canada announced their pest management branch, the PMRA, was undergoing a transformation process aimed at strengthening its oversight, its protection of public health and the environment and its transparency to people in Canada.

As part of the process, Health Canada has now launched its new Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products.  The Committee will provide scientific advice, as appropriate, on certain evidence-based decisions of the PMRA on pesticides.

The panel will provide independent scientific advice to Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency and is comprised of science experts covering a broad range of expertise in both human health and environmental science, as well as value assessment.  It is representative of Canada and has been expertly vetted to have low to no conflict of interest.  

The SAC-PCP members are:
Dr. Maricor Arlos, University of Alberta
Dr. Stéphane Bayen, McGill University
Dr. Kyle Bobiwash, University of Manitoba
Dr. Valérie Langlois, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre
Dr. Bruce Lanphear, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Eric Liberda, Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Christy A. Morrissey, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Sean Prager, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Xianming Zhang, Concordia University

In addition to the nine members, the SAC-PCP will benefit from a community of specialized experts to provide supplementary scientific expertise as needed.  This will ensure that the Committee remains current depending on its evolving needs.  This could include additional sectoral expertise in sectors such as agriculture and forestry, or expertise in other specific scientific areas.  Health Canada intends to maintain this membership evergreen to ensure that required independent advice is available at any time.