CCAC
CCPA
CCAC Annual Report2023-2024

Redefining our viewof animal welfare in scienceR
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the CCAC.......................1

New CCAC Recognition Awards..........12

Who We Are...........................................2

Get Involved.........................................13

Ethical Animal Care................................3

Board of Directors 2023-2024.............14

Our Goals...............................................4

Member Organizations.........................15

The CCAC's Top Five for 2023-2024.....9

Financial Statements............................16

	Harry C. Rowsell Award for
Outstanding Service to the CCAC.......11

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MESSAGE FROM THE CCAC
As we reach the halfway point in the implementation of our 2021-2026 strategic plan, we arepleased to present our 2023-2024 annual report. With the support and engagement of thevolunteer experts who continuously give us their time and advice, and of our dedicated Secretariat
team, we have made good progress in making our strategic goals a reality.
We are particularly excited about two of our major accomplishments this year: the publication of
the CCAC guidelines: Categories of welfare impact and the launch of our transparency plan. Bothinitiatives ensure that we look at the full picture when it comes to the welfare of the animals usedin scientific activities. Published in February 2024, the new guidelines on the categories of welfare
impact represent a fundamental shift in our understanding of animal welfare and in how we value
the lives of individual animals in science, focusing on how they experience the world in which they
live rather than solely on the procedures performed on them. The CCAC transparency initiative will
facilitate open dialogue, clear communications, and the sharing of information, resulting in more
informed choices and strategies, and encouraging a culture of learning, innovation, and improved
animal wellbeing. Acting in the interest of the Canadian public, this information will also provide
more clarity on the use of animals in science.
Our first in-person national workshop since the pandemic was held in May 2023, in Montréal,
Québec, and drew a record number of participants. It was extremely rewarding to be able to bring
together the members of our community once again in person, exchange ideas, and reflect on ourchallenges, accomplishments, and future activities.

Ms. Catherine Rushton
CCAC Chair

Mr. Pierre Verreault

CCAC Executive Director

We want to thank all program participants – scientists, animal care
committees and coordinators, animal welfare experts, senior administrators,
facility managers, animal care technicians, veterinarians, and all those whocare for animals in scientific activities – for their unfaltering commitment toanimal welfare. To the members of the CCAC Secretariat, we are gratefulthat you once again went above and beyond to meet the challenges andobjectives of the last year.
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WHO WE ARE
The CCAC works to improve the ethical treatment of animals used in Canadian science. Since 1968, we haveprovided national oversight of animal-based research, teaching, and testing in Canada through a collaborative
process of assessment, certification, training, and standards development.
The CCAC relies on the support of its staff and more than 2,000 experts, serving on more than 200 local animalcare committees and other subcommittees and task forces. Together, we share a common goal of continuously
improving the standards for the ethical care and use of animals in science, and work diligently to deliver our
programs in institutions across Canada. The CCAC’s work would not be possible without this vibrant community.

Assessment and Certification> Assists in the implementation of CCAC standards across Canada> Provides independent, third-party oversight> Collaborates with more than 200 animal care committees and astrong network of volunteer experts> Promotes good animal practices, including Three Rs principles

Standards> Develops ethical principles and guidelines for animal use and carein Canadian science> Ensures that standards development is based on evidence andincludes input from the public, scientists, veterinarians, animal
welfare experts, and other relevant experts> Incorporates the Three Rs into CCAC standards

Training and Networking> Provides training and networking activities and resources> Creates online training tools, webinars, and modules> Hosts the annual CCAC national workshop

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Governance> Provides support for the CCAC’s overarching governance structure> Supports strategic planning, performance measurement, and impacts
assessment functions

Operations> Manages the CCAC’s human, financial, administrative, and material
resources> Ensures and supports seamless and effective organizational
performance and delivery of the CCAC program

Public Affairs and Communications> Creates and implements an organizational communication strategyaligned with the CCAC’s strategic plan, mission, and mandate> Supports the CCAC in communications, graphic design, copyediting,translation, and revisions> Continually improves the efficiency of its engagement with CCAC
stakeholders, including certified institutions, member organizations,the media, and the public

Visit our website to learn more about
our vision, mission, and mandate

ETHICAL ANIMAL CAREAt the core of the CCAC is the fundamental ethical requirement to treat animals used forresearch, teaching, and testing with high standards of care across Canada. It is well establishedthat ensuring animal health and welfare leads to an improvement in the rigour, reproducibility, andtranslatability of scientific results, which then leads to better science. Together with our groupof volunteers, which includes scientists, animal welfare experts, animal health professionals,
administrators, animal care committee members, and community representatives, the CCAC iscreating new guidance materials that recognize the lives and experiences of individual animals
used in science, and capture how these scientific activities impact their welfare.

The CCAC and its volunteers play a pivotal role in the Canadian scientificlandscape. The country’s scientific community relies on us to develop andoversee the ethical animal practices upon which its findings are built. At thesame time, Canadians count on us to ensure that animal-based scienceis ethical, and that the Three Rs principles of replacement, reduction, andrefinement are respected and applied according to high quality, scienceinformed standards.

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GOAL 1
Advance the integration ofThree Rs practices in the ethicalcare and use of animals

GOAL 2OUR GOALSWe are one of Canada’s most important advocates for the ethicaltreatment and use of animals in science and are dedicated tocollaborating with our partners and volunteers to continue working on
our core activities. As we look to the future of animal-based science inCanada, the following four goals will guide our operations until 2026.

Ensure a high level of animalcare and ethical practices
through leading, scienceinformed standards

GOAL 3
Adapt the CCAC to an
evolving environment

GOAL 4More information about our strategicplan is available on our website

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Work in partnership with the
CCAC community

ADVANCE THE INTEGRATION OF THREE RS PRACTICES IN
THE ETHICAL CARE AND USE OF ANIMALSGOAL 1The Three Rs promote ethical science through the implementation of replacement, reduction, and refinement
strategies and are foundational to the CCAC’s program. Working hand-in-hand with our partners and volunteers
across the country, we continue to tackle the gaps in their implementation and improve the care and ethical useof animals in Canadian science.

OUR OBJECTIVES> Enhance Reproducibility to Increase Translation> Improve Experimental Design> Enhance and Strengthen Partnerships

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ENSURE A HIGH LEVEL OF ANIMAL CARE AND
ETHICAL PRACTICES THROUGH LEADING,SCIENCE-INFORMED STANDARDSGOAL 2The delivery of our mandate is based in large part on our standards, which give
clear direction to institutional animal care and use programs. The CCAC and its
many volunteer experts work together to develop evidence-based guidelines thatincorporate expert peer advice, the values of Canadians, and strategies to reduce
the need for, and harm of, animals in science, while promoting their wellbeing.

OUR OBJECTIVES> Remain a Leader in the Ethical Care and Use of Animals> Enhancethe Impact of Guidelines by Supporting Adoption

and Implementation by the Scientific Community

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1
2
9
4

Guidelines
document published
Guidelines documentsin public review
Guidelines documents
in development
Calls forguidelines experts

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ADAPT THE CCAC TO
AN EVOLVING ENVIRONMENTGOAL 3
One of the key aspects of the CCAC is its community-driven and collaborative
approach. Throughout the assessment process, CCAC staff and volunteers work closelywith certified institutions to ensure that ethics and animal welfare are always a priority.
We are committed to working together to continuously refine and adapt our processes
to ensure that they strike a balance between maintaining a rigorous assessment andcertification process and reducing the cost of compliance for institutions.

201

Certifiedinstitutions

67

Assessment visits
conducted

45

Certifications
renewed10

Institutions inprobation

4
OUR OBJECTIVES> Support Institutions in Achieving Compliance> Adapt the Program Participation Structure

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New institutions
joined the program

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WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE CCAC COMMUNITYGOAL 4
We continue to work collaboratively with our volunteers and stakeholders to increase
engagement and continuously improve the welfare of animals in science. To further thisgoal, the CCAC launched a number of initiatives and training opportunities, to assist
institutions in meeting the CCAC’s requirements, ensure high standards of oversightfor animals used in research, teaching, and testing, and encourage the sharing ofbest practices.

OUR OBJECTIVES> Increase Engagement and Communication> Diversify
Training Opportunities

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269

Attendees at the2023 in-person
national workshop

209

Participants atthe 2023 webinar
on transparency

52

Communiqués sent
to our community

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THE CCAC'S TOP FIVE FOR 2023-2024
CATEGORIES OF WELFARE IMPACT
The CCAC guidelines: Categories of welfare impact was published in February 2024. This
long-awaited document brings with it a fundamental shift in how we view the lives of individual
animals, and in our understanding of good animal welfare. These guidelines take into
consideration the cumulative lifetime experiences of an animal, examine how these experiences
impact their welfare (either positively or negatively), and create the expectation that they will bemonitored throughout their lifespan. Good welfare is more than good health, and the welfare ofanimals used in science is impacted by more than just the procedures performed on them.

TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVEOver the past two years, the CCAC and its volunteers have been working on a plan to increase
its level of transparency while also encouraging certified institutions to become more open
regarding their use of animals in science. In October 2023, the CCAC presented the latest draftof its transparency initiative to CCAC-certified institutions for their comments, and in January2024, the plan was finalized. A dedicated web section will also be launched in June 2024, alongwith a public announcement of the initiative.

WIDENING OUR REACH
After launching a presence on social media, the CCAC continues to explore new opportunities
and channels for broader communication with the national and international scientificand animal welfare communities. Over the last year, the CCAC has partnered with several
academic institutions, engaging post-doctoral fellows to help advance its Three Rs objectives
in experimental design, translation, and reproducibility. CCAC staff also volunteered at the12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences; were named theCanadian representative for the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science governing
board; participated on the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Committee;
and are assisting in the 3Rs Collaborative’s creation of a Three Rs certificate course.
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NATIONAL WORKSHOP BREAKS RECORDSIn May 2023, a record-breaking 269 participants from across thecountry came together in Montréal, Québec, to take part in the
CCAC’s first in-person national workshop since the pandemic. This
year, the CCAC expanded its program to two days, allowing moretime for in-depth discussions on topics of value to animal care
committee members. The second day featured dynamic plenaries andmany engaging breakout sessions, on subjects such as the CCAC’s
wildlife guidelines, the reduction and replacement of sentinel animals,competency assessments, transparency, aquatic facilities, and the
CCAC’s animal welfare assessment guidelines.

HIGHLIGHTING OUR VOLUNTEERS
Year after year, volunteers and subject matter experts across thecountry have provided an essential service to the CCAC, helping tocarry out key aspects of its mandate and ensure the ethical treatmentof animals in Canadian science. In 2023-2024 alone, 332 volunteers
worked directly with the Secretariat staff, allowing us to make great
progress on numerous projects, while across the country, more than
2,000 outstanding individuals continued to serve on more than 200
local animal care committees within their certified institutions.

Interested in lending your expertiseto the CCAC? Contact us today!

VOLUNTEER SNAPSHOT

121

Volunteers participatedon subcommittees andtask forces

55

Volunteers participatedon standing committees

16

Volunteers presented at
the national workshop

53

Volunteers participatedon assessment panels

subcommittees
12 Active
and task forces
24 Meetings

5 Standing committees
30 Meetings

Visit our website to see
our list of volunteers

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HARRY C. ROWSELL AWARDFOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CCAC
The CCAC is pleased to announce that this year's winner of the Harry C. Rowsell Award for
Outstanding Service to the CCAC is Dr. Craig Bihun. Dr. Bihun is the senior veterinarian at the
National Research Council Canada (NRC), overseeing the ethical care and use of animals acrossthe organization. He also served as a consultant veterinarian to multiple academic and private
institutions, in particular the Coley Pharmaceutical Group, which was later acquired by Pfizer.
Dr. Bihun helped design and inaugurate their state-of-the-art animal care facility and oversaw its
accreditation by the CCAC and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory
Animal Care International.
Dr. Bihun also chaired the NRC’s Joint Committee on Animal Care and spearheaded efforts for
the NRC to sign a memorandum of understanding agreeing to participate in the CCAC program,the first Government of Canada department to do so. This led the way for other government
departments to make similar declarations.
Dr. Bihun’s deep personal commitment to improving the welfare of animals in science isevidenced by the many hours he dedicated to the CCAC over the course of his career. He
was not only a member of 16 institutional animal care committees but was also a member of
the CCAC Board of Directors, the Assessment and Certification Committee, and the Public
Affairs and Communications Committee, as well as a subject matter expert on many guidelines
subcommittees, assessment panels, and a presenter at CCAC national workshops. He also
dedicated much of his time to training personnel in the field of laboratory animal research, boththrough teaching programs and through the hands-on training of many technical staff at thevarious institutions where he served as a consultant veterinarian. Dr. Bihun’s great impact on
the welfare of animals in science can be felt within the CCAC community, the NRC, across thecountry, and around the world. The CCAC would like to thank him for his dedication, hard work,and support over the course of his career.

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Dr. Craig Bihun
2023 RecipientThe Gilles Demers Award for Excellence inAnimal Care recognizes individuals who have madeexceptional contributions to their institutional animalcare and use programs, upholding high ethicalstandards and practices. This award was named forthe late Dr. Gilles Demers, a long-time assessment
director at the CCAC, who worked with animal careexperts across the country and who spearheaded
the creation of the CCAC Certificate of GAP – Good
Animal Practice®, a cornerstone of the CCAC program.

NEW CCAC
RECOGNITION AWARDSThe CCAC is fortunate to be surrounded by so many
knowledgeable professionals who dedicate their time andexpertise to its mission and mandate. In January 2024,
the CCAC announced that, in addition to the Harry C.
Rowsell Lifetime Achievement Award (previously known
as the Harry C. Rowsell Award for Outstanding Service to
the CCAC), two more awards would be added: the Gilles
Demers Award for Excellence in Animal Care, and the
CCAC Emerging Leader Award.

The CCAC Emerging Leader Award recognizes
individuals with less than 10 years of experience in aleadership role in the field of ethical animal care anduse, who have demonstrated exceptional growth intheir levels of leadership, responsibility, sphere of
impact, and contribution to both the ethical care anduse of animals in science and to the CCAC.
The Harry C. Rowsell Lifetime Achievement Award
recognizes dedicated individuals who have made alifetime of exceptional contributions to the CCAC andwho uphold the highest standards in the ethical careand use of animals in Canadian science. This award
was previously named the Harry C. Rowsell Award for
Outstanding Service to the CCAC and was named for
the CCAC’s founding executive director, who devoted
his life to promoting the optimal care and use ofanimals in Canadian science.

More information about our recognition
awards is available on our website

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GET INVOLVEDVOLUNTEER> Join a Standards subcommittee> Become a member of an assessment panel> Review guidelines documents as an expert reviewer> Review guidelines as a public reviewer> Join the translation advisory group> Become a member of the CCAC Board of Directors

RECOGNITION AWARDS> Nominate someone who has made exceptional
contributions to the CCAC and who upholds thehighest standards in the ethical care and use ofanimals in Canadian science> Open to anyone working in the field of animal careand use in science

TRAINING SESSIONS

See our listof volunteers

Nominate adeserving individual

Learn about our
national workshops> Suggest topics for the CCAC national workshops orother webinars> Offer your expertise to present a session at one of
our workshops> Attend training sessions

MAILING LIST
> Keep updated on all CCAC news by joining ourmailing list
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Join our mailing list

CHAIR> Ms. Catherine Rushton, FCPA, FCA

VICE-CHAIR> Dr. Denna M. Benn, DVM, Dip.Med., MSc

TREASURER> Ms. Adriane Porcin, Adm. A

DIRECTORSBOARD OF DIRECTORS
2023-2024> Dr. Nitin Bhardwaj | T he Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)> Dr. Jean-François Cloutier | McGill University> Dr. Lucie Côté | R
 esearch Institute of the McGill University
Health Centre> Dr. Michael Czubryt | University of Manitoba
The CCAC Board of Directors is elected by ourmember organizations. As the CCAC’s leadershipteam, members of the board are charged with setting
the direction of the organization in accordance withits mandate.

> Dr. Richard Dyck | University of Calgary> Mr. Shawn Eccles | B ritish Columbia Society for the Preventionof Cruelty to Animals> Dr. Michelle Groleau | C anadian Veterinary Medical Association> Dr. David Hanwell | University of Toronto> Dr. Jeffrey Richards | University of British Columbia

More information about our board
is available on our website> Dr. Andrew Winterborn | Queen’s University

SECRETARY (NON-VOTING)> Mr. Pierre Verreault | Executive Director

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MEMBER ORGANIZATIONSThe CCAC’s membership is comprised of 23 member organizations from across the country, with an interest in science,education, and ethical animal care and use.
> Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada> Canadian Society of Zoologists> Animal Health Canada> Canadian Veterinary Medical Association> Association of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine> Defence Research and Development Canada> Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry> Environment and Climate Change Canada> Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada> Fisheries and Oceans Canada> Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine> Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science> Canadian Bioethics Society> Canadian Cancer Society> Canadian Council of Departments of Psychology> Canadian Food Inspection Agency> Health Canada> Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada> Humane Canada™
> Innovative Medicines Canada> National Research Council of Canada> Universities Canada> Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution
More information about our governancestructure is available on our website

We are seeking animal welfare organizations to join the CCAC
membership, so if you work with, contribute to, or support an animal
welfare organization that may have an interest in becoming a memberof the CCAC, please contact us!
Learn more about joining
the CCAC membership

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

50.0%

CIHR/NSERC Funding

45.1%

Program Participation Fees

3.8%
1.2%

$1,750,000$1,578,272

Training Revenue$133,329

REVENUE$3,503,247

Other Revenue$41,646

Salaries and Benefits

68.0%

Professional Fees

8.7%

Travel

7.7%

Rent

5.3%

$2,290,857$294,070$260,633$178,015

IT Maintenance/Equipment/
Webmaster Service$75,654

Office and Administration

2.1%

Board and AGM

1.9%

Finance Service Charges

1.8%

Legal and Audit

0.7%

Amortization of assets

0.6%

Committee

0.5%

Bad debt expense

0.3%$70,947

EXPENSES$3,366,749$64,093$59,379$23,318

Detailed financial statements
are available on our website

16 / CCAC Annual Report 2023-2024

2.2%$21,845$18,145$9,793