Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) – Terms of Reference
Reference: Section 10 (1) (a) of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act CIHR By-Law, Article 5, section 5.04
Mandate
The Standing Committee on Finance is a standing committee of Governing Council. The Standing Committee on Finance monitors and makes recommendations to Governing Council about matters related to finance and human resources. The Standing Committee on Finance promotes transparency and accountability in all financial planning strategies of CIHR and ensures that there is alignment between operational resources and the strategic direction set by Governing Council.
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the committee are as follows:
- Ensure that CIHR has an effective planning process in place that provides appropriate alignment of financial and human resources with strategic directions;
- Review and recommend to the Governing Council, CIHR’s annual budget;
- Assess CIHR’s financial requirements on a continuous basis and recommend to the Governing Council, strategies and measures to increase CIHR’s overall level of resources; and
- Review and recommend to the Governing Council major or strategic expenditures; and
- Review and recommend to the Governing Council matters of a strategic nature related to human resources, excluding matters delegated to the President by Governing Council
Chair and Membership
The Standing Committee on Finance consists of a Chair, who is a member of Governing Council, plus a minimum of three other voting members of the Governing Council appointed by Governing Council after receiving advice from its Governance and Nominating Committee.
Membership on this committee may include persons who are not members of the Governing Council. The President is an ex-officio member.
Meetings
Meetings will be held at least 3 times annually at the call of the Chair, or by request of the President.
Quorum
A majority of its members (50% plus 1).
Reference
Bourinot’s Rule of Order, 4th Edition
Authority
CIHR By-Law - Article 5, section 5.04
The Standing Committee on Finance does not have decision-making authority, except for items specifically delegated to them by Governing Council.
The Standing Committee on Finance advises Governing Council and tables recommendations to Governing Council for decision.
Reporting
The Standing Committee on Finance will circulate the minutes of its meetings to Governing Council within two weeks of meeting or at the next Governing Council meeting, whichever is first.
Evaluation
On an annual basis, a review of its Terms of Reference and re-affirmation of membership.
Governance Branch Support
The Standing Committee on Finance is supported by the CIHR Governance Branch. The Branch advises the committee Chair and members, prepares and distributes minutes, and enables timely follow-up of committee decisions and actions.
The Chief Financial Officer will be engaged in supporting the business of this Standing Committee.
Terms of Reference
Reviewed and approved by Governing Council on July 5, 2023.
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