Research Ethics Board
What is a Research Ethics Board?
A research ethics board (REB) is a democratic decision-making body that operates on the basis of a quorum composed of a panel of scientific, ethical and legal experts and members of the community. Together, on a regular basis, they assess the scientific nature and ethics of research projects.
The role of the committee is to ensure that the dignity, security, well-being and rights of research participants are respected in the deployed protocols. All projects are assessed on the basis of this mandate, given to them by the MSSS, under the Cadre de référence ministériel pour la recherche avec des participants humains (2020). This assessment is based on good ethical practices regarding the protection of participants in a research project and is based on normative frameworks prescribed by the MSSS such as the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS-2, 2018), the Civil Code of Quebec, and the Law on health and social services.
The REB has the power to approve a project as is, to have it modified (approved with conditions) or to refuse it. It continuously monitors the projects it has approved (from start to finish) and can interrupt those that deviate from ethical standards. Additionally, it plays a role of mobilization and continuous training for its members and the scientific community.
The CIUSSS Research Ethics Board
The REB of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal is designated by the MSSS to assess projects involving the participation of vulnerable persons (incapable adults and minors) and the application of Article 21 of the Civil Code of Quebec. It is made up of two committees: the medical / biomedical committee (REC-MBM) and the psychosocial committee (REC-PSY).
| Committee | Expertise / Types of Research | Contact |
Medical/Biomedical Research (REC-MBM): | • Clinical trials (drugs, natural health products, medical devices); • Research using radio-pharmaceutical products; creation of biological material banks (biobanks); • Basic, epidemiological and nursing research (other than psychosocial). | Dr. Richard Margolese, C.M. MD FRCS, Interim Chair Kathleen Blagrave |
Psychosocial Research (REC-PSY): | • Social and community research, research in psychology, educational research and program evaluation. | Me Alain Klotz, LL.B.;LL.M., Chair Rosine Tchatchoua-Djomo, M. Sc., Ph. D. (c) |
Calendar of meetings of the full board committee and deadlines for submitting a project in 2023:
⇒ 
Medical-Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (REC-MBM)
⇒ Psychosocial Research Ethics Committee (REC-PSY)
Projects are submitted to the NAGANO online platform: 
ccomtl.nagano.ca
To obtain access to Nagano, please contact: 
cer@jgh.mcgill.ca