Alison Mclaughlin Email & Phone Number

Ontario, Canada

As Senior Manager, I manage the pre-market evaluation of new chemicals and polymers to determine whether they pose a risk to human health and develop recommendations for the Minister on whether to control these substances, and on the type of controls (e.g. regulatory and other measures), to protect the health of Canadians within the strict legislative requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). I am also responsible for managing the regulatory development of the Revised In Commerce List (R-ICL) for substances in products regulated under the Food & Drug Act, which includes pharmaceuticals, biologics, veterinary drugs, cosmetics, novel food, food additives, natural health products and medical devices. I am responsible for direction and oversight of the associated cost centers, human resources, and policy direction for this Division.

As Senior Manager I review scientific reports for substances on Canada's Domestic Substances List that have been prioritized for evaluation as part of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The CMP approach ensures efforts are focused on chemical and polymer substances of higher concern, and to engage stakeholders on substance assessments as efficiently as possible. The goal of CMP is to accelerate the regulatory process to ensure that Canada's legacy of not yet assessed substances on the Domestic Substances List is addressed, and top priority risks are managed.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

As Chief of the Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Division, I oversee the Contaminants and Packaging Section which are part of the Bureau of Chemical Safety within the Health Products and Food Branch. This position contributes to food safety for Canadians, and includes sections dedicated to food monitoring and surveillance for contaminants, as well as protection of human health through toxicological risk assessment. We work closely with domestic government partners, like the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to respond to potential food safety issues, as well as with international partners such as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) to contribute to establishing maximum acceptable limits or concentrations.

Ottawa, Canada Area

As Senior Manager, I manage the pre-market evaluation of new chemicals and polymers to determine whether they pose a risk to human health and develop recommendations for the Minister on whether to control these substances, and on the type of controls (e.g. regulatory and other measures), to protect the health of Canadians within the strict legislative requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). I am also responsible for managing the regulatory development of the Revised In Commerce List (R-ICL) for substances in products regulated under the Food & Drug Act, which includes pharmaceuticals, biologics, veterinary drugs, cosmetics, novel food, food additives, natural health products and medical devices. I am responsible for direction and oversight of the associated cost centers, human resources, and policy direction for this Division.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Senior Scientist and Head of the Environmental Assessment Unit 2 within Health Canada's New Substances Assessment and Control Branch. The EAU 2 is charged with prioritization and risk assessment of substances in Canadian Commerce, including chemicals and polymers, to address human health and environmental impacts of substances in products regulated by the Food and Drugs Act as required by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999).

The Health Products and Food Branch’s (HPFB) mandate is to manage the health-related risks and benefits of health products and food by minimizing health risk factors to Canadians while maximizing the safety provided by the regulatory system for health products and food and providing information to Canadians so they can make healthy, informed decisions. Responsibilities included stakeholder consultations and regulatory development.

Senior Scientist in the Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU) of Health Canada's New Substances Assessment and Control Branch. The EAU conducts risk assessments to address human health and environmental impacts as required by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999).

Served as staff member for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development to produce the year 2000 report on pesticides entitled Pesticides: Making the Right Choice for the Protection of Health and the Environment. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=1031697&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=36&Ses=2&File=9

Evaluated chemistry, fate and toxicology data, and prepared authoritative study reviews for chemical pesticides. Special projects included assessment of the impact of agricultural pesticides on farm dugout drinking water quality and surface waters.

I produced and edited several articles for journal publication including articles on agriculture, biodiversity, pesticides and toxicological research. I was also a contributing writer on three chapters for the Biodiversity Science Assessment publication (Environment Canada 1993).

Msc. Dabt, Biology - Toxicology

Diplomate American Board of Toxicology (DABT) 2004 and re-certified 2009 Master of Science (MSc 1993) Queen's University - Kingston.

Education record

French language studies