Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC) : Frequently Asked Questions

• What are AHRC's responsibilities?
• When was AHRC created?
• What kind of organization is AHRC and to whom does it report?
• What is AHRC's relationship with Health Canada?

What are AHRC's responsibilities?

Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC) is the federal regulatory agency responsible for protecting and promoting the health, safety, dignity and rights of Canadians who use or are born of assisted human reproduction technologies.

AHRC is also responsible for fostering an environment in which ethical principles are applied in all matters relating to assisted human reproduction, while allowing scientific advances that benefit Canadians.

AHRC is guided in its responsibilities by the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR Act). These functions include:

• Serving as a national Centre of Expertise on assisted human reproduction (AHR) operating as a single, centralized, integrated, pan-Canadian organization. AHRC keeps abreast of research and innovations in AHR, promotes the safest and healthiest technologies for Canadians who build their families using AHR and increases the application of knowledge for society leading to improved health outcomes;
• Promoting compliance with and enforcing the AHR Act related to the prohibitions;
• Monitoring and evaluating scientific and clinical developments within Canada and internationally on AHR;
• Transfering knowledge to health professionals and providing educational materials to inform patients and the general public on aspects of AHR, particularly risk factors associated with infertility as well as AHR technology options;
• Liaising with other jurisdictions, professional bodies, patient groups and other associations with an interest in the quality, safety and ethical practices of AHR, to share and promote adoption of best practices across the country; and
• Engaging stakeholders and monitoring AHR issues related to health, safety, dignity and rights.

When was AHRC created?

The AHR Act, which received Royal Assent and became law in March 2004, provides for the establishment of AHRC.

AHRC was created by Order in Council in January 2006, and AHRC's President and Board of Directors were appointed by the Governor in Council in December 2006. The President formally assumed her responsibilities in February 2007, and the AHRC Board met for the first time in March 2007.

What kind of organization is AHRC and to whom does it report?

AHRC was established as a Departmental Corporation (Schedule II under the  Financial Administration Act) and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Health. AHRC is governed by a Board of Directors of up to 13 members (including the Chairperson and the President).

Under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR Act), the Minister of Health retains responsibility for all AHR-related matters while Health Canada is responsible for developing strategic policy related to the legislation and regulations. AHRC's role is to oversee the implementation of the Act and associated regulations.

What is AHRC's relationship with Health Canada?

AHRC is a member of the federal  Health Portfolio, a group of health organizations under the authority of the Minister of Health.

In addition to AHRC, the Health Portfolio comprises Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

Health Canada is responsible for developing policy related to assisted human reproduction and regulations under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. AHRC's role is to oversee the implementation of the Act and associated regulations.