Terms of Reference
Health and Public Policy Committee

Role

The Health and Public Policy Committee (HPPC), is a standing committee of Council. It reports to Council through the Executive Committee Council (ECC). The committee provides advice and recommends policies and approaches that assist the Royal College to fulfill its mandate and strategic plan in areas related to health and public policy, advocacy and research, in keeping with the values, vision, and mission of the Royal College.

Responsibility and Authority

The HPPC:

  • identifies issues warranting the Royal College’s attention;
  • informs and provides advice to various Royal College committees;
  • reviews, analyzes and develops policies, position statements and strategies, using critical analysis and strategic thinking, for the consideration of Council or other committees as appropriate;
  • reports to Council on matters of concern to the Royal College and its committees on advocacy, public policy, and research matters pertinent to specialty medicine and care; and
  • informs and advises Council of current and potential advocacy activities relevant to the Royal College while taking into consideration the directions of the Royal College Advocacy Guide.

Composition

The HPPC includes fourteen (14) voting members including the Chair. The Chair is appointed from among the members of Council (Bylaw 20, Article 15.1.1) and is a member of the Executive Committee of Council.

The HPPC’s broad-based composition can include Fellows, researchers, and members from the following: the Ethics Committee, the Committee on Specialties, specialty resident membership selected by the Royal College, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, and other professional and lay members. The specific composition of the committee is determined as appropriate and will ideally include at least two Council members in addition to the Chair.

Key Competencies and Characteristics

Generally, committee members should possess the following key competencies and characteristics:

  • sound knowledge of the complexity of the health care system and determinants of health, and ability to link this knowledge with the core functions of the Royal College;
  • ability and willingness to accurately identify, synthesize and analyze relevant information and perspectives from academia, the public sector and the health care community;
  • ability to formulate, review and comment on policies and statements that will help the Royal College realize its vision and fulfill applicable strategic directions set out by Council;
  • ability to think strategically and provide expert health policy advice to Council and other committees as required; and
  • the ability and willingness to participate effectively in committees and meetings.

Term of Office

The usual term of office of the chair is two years, renewable once (maximum four years).

The usual term of office of members is two years, renewable twice (maximum six years). The terms of office take effect as stipulated so long as the member’s total years of service on the committee do not extend beyond 10 years.

All terms shall begin and end at the time of the Annual Meeting of the Members when vacancies need to be filled.

Meetings

Meetings will be held a minimum of twice per year. Meetings may be face-to-face or via webinar.

Quorum consists of a majority of the voting members of the committee (i.e., 50% plus one). The chair is counted as a voting member in constituting quorum. However as the presiding official of the committee, the chair does not move motions. Furthermore, the chair shall only vote when the vote is conducted by secret ballot. Every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie vote, the question shall be defeated. When a committee is called to make a decision outside of a meeting by e-ballot, the same rules apply.

Appointment to a Royal College committee carries significant responsibilities, and all committee members are expected to adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct. In addition, committee members are required to maintain absolute discretion and not divulge, re-produce, or release any confidential information except when authorized by the Royal College. Committee members may download a copy of committee materials for the sole purpose of participating in committee work. All downloaded materials must be deleted once the related committee work is completed. The Royal College retains copies of committee materials should committee members wish to access them at a later time for related work.

Committee work product

In the course of performing their committee duties, committee members may produce or contribute to materials, content or other work products. These work products and the related intellectual property will be owned by the Royal College. The Royal College is open to discussing other ownership arrangements for specific projects. Alternative arrangements must be confirmed in writing by the project contributors and the Royal College.

TOR record

Most recent resolution: Resolution No. 2021/2022-09
Previous resolution(s): Resolution No. 2019/2020-18, Resolution No. 2018/2019-10
Approved by: Council
Approval Date: June 18, 2021
Approval path: GC, Council
Effective date: June 18, 2021
Date of next review: Spring 2022
Royal College Office: OMEP
Version status: Approved