The Government of Canada mandates that all federal programs undergo a formal evaluation every five years, to ensure that the program is accountable for the use of public funds; is efficient and effective; and is transparent and meeting its objectives. The findings from these evaluations are then used to manage and improve the program’s design, policies and procedures.

Consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to solicit feedback from stakeholders on potential changes that could be made to the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) in response to the recommendations made in the 15th-year evaluation of the program.

Equity, diversity and inclusion within the program

In May 2017, the program launched an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to address without delay Recommendation 5 of the evaluation, which stated, “Management should require institutions to adopt greater transparency in their processes for allocation of Chair positions and selection and renewal of chairholders, in order to ensure institutions have greater accountability in terms of meeting their equity targets.”

The program welcomes feedback on what systemic barriers exist within the CRCP, and what additional measures could be taken to address the long-standing equity, diversity and inclusion challenges within the program.

The program welcomes and encourages the participation of individuals from the four designated groups (women, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples and members of visible minorities) in this consultation. Understanding the experiences and viewpoints of individuals from these groups is particularly important, in order to better understand what additional, meaningful measures could be taken to address the CRCP’s equity, diversity and inclusion challenges.

How to participate

Read the full 15th-year evaluation report and its recommendations and submit your comments to the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat by using this feedback form. The consultation will be open from July 27, 2017, to September 25, 2017 (60 days).

Should you require accommodations to provide feedback due to a physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric or learning impairment, please contact the Secretariat.

Consultation results

The feedback provided by stakeholders will be carefully considered by program management during the fall/winter of 2017–18. It is expected that any program changes would be implemented during 2018-19.

Contacts

For further information or assistance, please contact one of the following:

General inquiries
edi-edi@chairs-chaires.gc.ca