The Advisory Committee on Human Pathogens and Toxins Annual Meeting

As set out in the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (the Act), the Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) established the Advisory Committee on Human Pathogens and Toxins (the Committee) in 2015 to provide scientific expertise and advice regarding pathogens and toxins. The committee consists of 13 members including the Chair. The Committee meets in person annually and by teleconference throughout the year, as required.

Due to travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Committee meeting was a series of virtual meetings held weekly throughout May. The record of decision from the 2021 Committee annual meeting is now available.

The Committee provides advice on the inclusion or deletion of human pathogens or toxins to Schedules 1 to 5 of the Act. The Committee may also provide scientific advice regarding the characteristics and risks of human pathogens and toxins, and recommendations to help address domestic and international biosafety and biosecurity risks, such as:

•         priorities for the reassessment and possible reassignment of risk group classifications
•         the risks of human pathogens, including emerging pathogens, and the assignment of appropriate biosafety and biocontainment requirements
•         other scientific advice, as requested

A majority of committee members must endorse the advice and recommendations provided to the Agency. As required by the Act, the advice from the Committee pertaining to additions and deletions to Schedules 1 to 5 of the act are posted on the Agency’s website.

For any questions or inquiries, please contact the Committee secretariat at cb.engagement-mobilisation.cb@phac-aspc.gc.ca.