BILL C-13

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;

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;

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;

SHORT TITLE

INTERPRETATION

ESTABLISHMENT

OBJECTIVE

(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, and

(iii) engage the provinces and 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;

(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.

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

(a) promote, assist and undertake health research;

(b) foster the development and ongoing support of the scientific careers of women and men in health research;

(c) consult, collaborate and form partnerships with the provinces and with persons and organizations in or outside Canada that have an interest in issues pertaining to health or health research;

(d) monitor, analyze and evaluate issues, including ethical issues, pertaining to health or health research;

(e) advise the Minister in respect of any matter relating to health research or health policy;

(f) communicate with the public, governments, the Canadian and the international research communities, voluntary organizations and the private sector on issues pertaining to health or health research; and

(g) exercise any other power and perform any other function that is assigned to it by the Governor in Council to achieve its objective.

ORGANIZATION

(a) may establish by by-law an executive committee and other committees of the Governing Council; and

(b) shall establish by by-law in respect of the full range of health research inquiry one or more standing advisory committees.