Terms of Reference

June 14, 2004 – Adopted November 2005

Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL RESEARCH

TOR: TACAR

 

Objective

To advise and assist the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE) in the development of ethical guidelines for research involving Aboriginal Peoples, for consideration by the Guiding Consortium and incorporation in PRE recommendations for updates to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS).

Roles and Responsibilities of the PRE-Technical Advisory Committee on Aboriginal Research (PRE-TACAR)

1. To provide multidisciplinary, scientific, cultural and technical advice in the development of ethics policy for research involving Aboriginal Peoples.
2. To facilitate an open, inclusive and participatory process.
3. To review recent documents, reports or analyses and request further exploration of issues if necessary.
4. To advise on priorities and issues and how they might be addressed.
5. To identify relevant resources or expert groups to further develop identified issues.
6. To propose strategies and options for coherently addressing priority issues, e.g. commissioned papers, workshops, meetings, consultations, etc.
7. To build on international, national and local models, especially those respectful of Aboriginal knowledge, methodologies and communities.

Membership

1. The PRE-TACAR will consist of 7-9 members with an interest in research ethics, reflecting the diversity of the research community engaged in Aboriginal research, including expertise in Aboriginal knowledge, culture and communities and research fields served by CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.
2. Cross-appointments with parallel initiatives will be sought, for example: CIHR-IAPH Aboriginal Ethics Initiative, National Council on Ethics of Human Research (NCEHR).
3. A majority of members shall be self-identified First Nations, Inuit, Métis or Aboriginal persons.
4. Gender, language and regional representation will be taken into account.
5. Appointments to PRE-TACAR will be made by PRE following an approved process.
6. The PRE-TACAR will be chaired by the PRE member leading the Aboriginal Ethics Initiative.

Service on the PRE-TACAR is unremunerated. Expenses incurred in conjunction with meetings will be reimbursed.

Reporting

The PRE-TACAR will submit its reports and recommendations to PRE for follow-up. Joint meetings of PRE-TACAR (or selected members thereof) with the Guiding Consortium may be scheduled, as required.

Term

Members will be appointed for a two year term with the possibility of extension.

Meetings

Meetings will generally be held by teleconference, supported by e-mail exchanges. A face-to-face meeting to promote team-building will be convened early in the committee’s mandate.

Decision Making

Reports and recommendations will normally be based on consensus. In the absence of consensus, diversity of views will be represented respectfully in PRE-TACAR documents.

Work Plan

A work plan that complements activities of the Guiding Consortium and the overall schedule of PRE will be developed in the first six months of PRE-TACAR’s term and submitted to PRE for approval.

Related Documents

This document should be read in conjunction with the companion documents noted below.

• PRE, Terms of Reference for the Guiding Consortium for the Development of TCPS Guidelines for Research Involving Aboriginal Peoples
• Collaborative Development of Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving Aboriginal Peoples.