Mandate

As part of HealthCareCAN’s overall objective and desire to engage more of its members, the Board of Directors has established an advisory committee that focuses on issues related to health human resources (HHR) strategy and planning in Canada and also provides advice with regards to the direction HealthCareCAN’s professional division, CHA Learning, should be taking for future leadership and development programs. The HHRAC serves in an advisory capacity to both HealthCareCAN’s Board of Directors (via HealthCareCAN’s CEO) and to CHA Learning.  

The advisory committee advances HealthCareCAN’s position on health human resources agenda in Canada by identifying, investigating, and discussing issues and proposing actions reinforcing HCC’s advocacy role. The Advisory Committee would also support the creation of a national network of “Health Human Resources Executives in Healthcare.” The committee will continue to provide counsel on future leadership and development programs based on the health sector’s needs.  

Meetings

The HHRAC usually meets four times per year. Ideally one or two of these meetings may be in person (as required and when feasible); otherwise, meetings will be conducted virtually.  

Membership

The Health Human Resources Advisory Committee is composed of HealthCareCAN members whose responsibilities are in the areas of strategic human resources leadership from research hospitals/health authorities, academic health sciences centres and other healthcare organizations, with representation, as much as possible, from each province and territory and rural/urban representation. Every HealthCareCAN full member will be eligible to name a representative to the HHRAC. In its early phase, the advisory committee will be composed of up to 25 HHR representatives from across Canada, ensuring that all regions, and voices are represented. In a phased approach, the HHR Advisory Committee may be expanded to include additional representatives from across HealthCareCAN’s membership. HHRAC membership is limited to appointed representatives. 

Goals

• To advise HCC on how best to champion a health human resources agenda in Canada that ensures a sufficient supply of well-trained, innovative and resilient talent capable of meeting the current and future needs of both our health organizations and the Canadian population.  
• To advise HCC on how best to advance issues, best practices, research, and collaboration on HHR priorities impacting research hospitals/health authorities, academic health sciences centres and other healthcare organizations.  
• To advise HCC on how best to position itself as a strong political voice in Ottawa for research hospitals/health authorities, academic health sciences centres and other healthcare organizations that will result in more favourable HHR policy and funding/action at the federal level.  
• To identify and build strategic alliances in support of furthering the group’s mandate. 
• To engage HHR interests from all members periodically (e.g., once a year or every other year) in a virtual or in-person forum relevant to a particular HHR strategic issue.Page Break 

Responsibilities

• The HHRAC will consult with the HealthCareCAN CEO and collaborate with their respective CEO’s, HealthCareCAN Board and staff and partner organizations to identify key issues. 
• HHRAC members will represent their organizations and the collective HealthCareCAN membership on the health human resource issues that are identified as priorities.  
• The HHRAC will convene by video/web conference and, when possible, travel to Ottawa or other locations for meetings as needed.  
• Agendas will be prepared by HHRAC Steering Committee in consultation with the CEO of HealthCareCAN and materials will be distributed in advance in a timely manner.  

• Sub-committees and working groups may be formed to address specific issues or actions as required. Additional participants may be invited to participate as needed/relevant. 

Structure and governance

• HHRAC is to be co-chaired by two member representatives. 
• The HHRAC will be guided by a Steering Committee of up to 7 members from the HHRAC.   

• HHRAC will provide its advice and recommendations on issues to be presented to the Board via the CEO who designs/sets the agenda for the Board and Board Committee meetings. This should be done with the help of the VP Learning and Development and the two co-chairs.   
• HCC’s VP Learning & Development shall function as liaison between the HHRAC, HealthCareCAN Board via HCC CEO and other HCC staff and provide support in facilitating meetings, reporting, and other operational needs of the Advisory Committee. 
• Representatives commit to a three-year term with potential renewal for one additional term. 

Resources

• HealthCareCAN shall provide staff support to the HHR Advisory Committee and budget as approved by HealthCareCAN’s Board of Directors and CEO. 

Decision making

• Decisions shall be made by consensus. 

Purpose

The purpose of this Steering Committee is to provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the Health Human Resources Advisory Committee (HHRAC) and represent the decisions/direction of HHRAC to HealthCareCAN’s CEO and its Board of Directors and vice versa.  It shall function as the communication liaison between HHRAC, HealthCareCAN Board, CEO and other HealthCareCAN staff.  In fulfilling this role, the committee will make recommendations on behalf of HHRAC.

HHRAC itself advances HealthCareCAN’s position on health human resources agenda in Canada by identifying, investigating, and discussing issues and proposing actions reinforcing HCC’s advocacy role. HHRAC also supports the creation of a national network of “Health Human Resources Executives in Healthcare.” The committee will continue to provide counsel on future leadership and development programs based on the health sector’s needs.

Composition

The Steering Committee shall consist of a maximum of 7 members fulfilling the following roles:

1. Co-chair (staggered term)
2. Co-chair (staggered term)
3. Member
4. Member
5. Member
6. Member
7. Member

The Steering Committee shall develop and use a “skills matrix” (to be developed) to guide the selection of HHRAC members, ensuring that the members come from a cross-section of HealthCareCAN’s membership and represent a diversity of voices, experience, and expertise that represents the diversity of Canada, health human resources, and the health system. The Steering Committee ensures the diversity of HHRAC is reflected in the representation and voices on the Steering Committee.

In addition to the above membership, the following roles will be non-voting members of the committee:

• HCC VP Learning & Development
• Secretariat – role fulfilled by HealthCareCAN representative
• Other HCC representatives/delegates as required by the Steering Committee

A quorum for meetings shall be the majority of the Steering Committee members present (in person or via phone or video conference).

Terms

• Co-Chairs to be on staggered 3-year terms.
• All other representatives on 3-year terms. Wherever possible, the Steering Committee should consider staggering terms to ensure continuity.
• Terms may be renewed for a maximum of one additional term unless there are not sufficient nominations for the steering committee and/or a vacancy exists.
• Members may only serve in the co-chair role for one term.
• Members will be sought from the HHRAC’s membership.

Responsibilities

1. Review and make decisions on nominations to the HHRAC (committee of the whole).
2. Set agendas and annual/multi-year workplan for HHRAC in collaboration with HealthCareCAN staff and with input from the CEO.
3. Provide direction to Secretariat on meetings/events, speakers, etc.
4. Biannual (2 years) review Terms of Reference.
5. Shall represent the voice of the HHRAC and facilitate communication on behalf of the HHRAC to the HealthCareCAN board for its consideration.
6. Facilitate communication on behalf of the HHRAC in making external “statements” on HHR issues/policies for provision to other bodies, stakeholders, agencies, or government.
7. Provide strategic leadership to HHRAC and foster strategic relationships with key stakeholders.

Meetings

To be conducted virtually, 4 times per year – 1 month in advance of HHRAC meetings (committee of the whole).

Additional meetings may be called at the decision of the Co-Chairs.

Subcommittees

The Steering Committee may establish sub-committees as required to address strategic issues. Sub-committees will develop terms of reference to ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities.

Decision making

To be made by consensus