Independent Panel of Experts on Transferring Federal Non-Regulatory Laboratories

Budget 2007 signalled the Government's desire to explore alternative management arrangements for federal laboratories. Specifically, it stated that "the Government will launch an independent expert panel that will consider options for transferring federal laboratories to universities or the private sector. The panel will report to the President of the Treasury Board… on the type of non-regulatory science that should be transferred, which partners should be involved and an appropriate governance framework. The panel will also be asked to identify up to five laboratories that could be early candidates for transfer." (Budget 2007 - Aspire to a Stronger, Safer, Better Canada)

This intention was referenced in the government's S&T Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage, released in May 2007.

As announced on August 13, 2007, the federal government has established an independent panel of experts (IPE). The IPE consists of:

Dr. Arnold Naimark of Manitoba (Chair),
Dr. Kevin Keough of Alberta,
Dr. Kelvin Ogilvie of Nova Scotia, and
Dr. Clive Willis of Québec.

The IPE is to report its advice on options to the President of the Treasury Board in late fall of 2007.

To provide input to the IPE on its deliberations, please see the IPE's invitation to stakeholder input.