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  • April

Update on research ethics review submission process and review timelines

During the current publicly declared COVID-19 emergency, the Research Ethics Board (REB) membership and staffing levels may be reduced. This may result in delayed or postponed research ethics reviews for non-essential studies involving human participants or human biological materials until membership and staffing levels return to full complement.

New studies and change requests directly related to the emergency and deemed as essential by the REB have priority for review over other research submissions.

Essential research includes studies related to:

  • Frontline workers who have a high risk of exposure to COVID-19, given the nature of their profession, and individuals required to work to provide necessary services to protect the public and allow government mandated distancing and quarantine (e.g. health-care professionals, emergency responders, law enforcement, grocery store workers, environmental service workers, postal/delivery workers).
  • Patient care and/or diagnostics.
  • Equipment/devices related to personal protective equipment, and patient care/diagnostics.
  • Supply-chain management.

In addition, any change requests that affect the safety of research participants for unrelated studies to the emergency will receive priority review. 

After reviewing essential COVID-19-related studies, the REB will review other studies in this order:

  1. All other COVID-19-related studies not related to essential research areas.
  2. All other studies.

Given the dynamic nature of this emergency, the REB may change the list (review schedules) as needed to address the requirements of the  COVID-19 emergency. 

Note: The REB receives a high volume of submissions during the months of July, August, October and November, which may result in extended review turnaround times. During peak submission periods, the review turnaround time may be extended due to high volumes.

In preparation for the upcoming peak submission period, the REB strongly encourages researchers to submit their applications early, or if possible, during non-peak periods to minimize unforeseen delays.

If you require assistance with your submission or would like to receive a REB consultation, contact the Research Ethics office at 905.721.8668 ext. 3693 (messages are checked twice daily during business hours).