On June 8, 2026, 18 organisations involved in animal-based science in Canada have signed the Transparency Agreement on Animal-Based Science in Canada with a commitment to communicate openly and proactively about how and why animals are used in science, the national oversight system and the use of alternative technologies. The group of signatories consists of universities, healthcare research centres, scientific institutes, companies, and associations.
The signatories are:
The signatories are:
- Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine (CALAM)
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
- Charles River (Montreal)
- Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
- McMaster University
- Queen's University
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC)
- Tecniplast Canada
- Trent University
- Université de Montréal
- Université Laval
- University of Calgary
- University of Lethbridge
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- Western University
By signing, the organisations make the following four commitments and will support their implementation to the extent reasonably practicable, given their resources and potential constraints:
- We will be clear about when, how and why we use animals in science.
- We will enhance our communications with the public and the media about our use of animals in science.
- We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to learn about animal use in science, the national oversight system (the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)), and Canadian standards.
- We will report on progress annually and share our experiences amongst each other and with the public.
Lucie Côté, Outgoing President of the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Canadian delegate on the board of the European Animal Research Association, said:
“This agreement is a major step forward for transparency in Canadian science. After years of collaboration across Canada’s research community, I’m proud to see it come to life. It reflects our shared responsibility to be transparent, to explain the role of animals in science, and to build public trust through openness and evidence. By being clear about why and how animals are used, and the care they receive, we can build public understanding and trust. Science must guide this conversation, and we have a responsibility to lead it openly.”
Kirk Leech, Executive Director, European Animal Research Association, said:
"Canada joining the global transparency movement marks a truly historic moment. Over the past decade, we have seen transparency agreements take root across Europe and beyond — but today's signing represents the most significant expansion of this movement to date, bringing one of the world's leading scientific nations fully into the fold.
For over a decade, EARA has championed the principle that open, proactive communication about animal-based science is not just good practice — it is a responsibility that the research community owes to the public, to patients, and to science itself. The organisations signing today are demonstrating exactly that kind of courage and commitment.
This agreement sends a powerful message: that Canadian science stands behind its work, is prepared to explain it, and trusts the public to engage with the evidence. That is the foundation on which lasting public trust is built."
For over a decade, EARA has championed the principle that open, proactive communication about animal-based science is not just good practice — it is a responsibility that the research community owes to the public, to patients, and to science itself. The organisations signing today are demonstrating exactly that kind of courage and commitment.
This agreement sends a powerful message: that Canadian science stands behind its work, is prepared to explain it, and trusts the public to engage with the evidence. That is the foundation on which lasting public trust is built."
Transparency
The importance of good and transparent communication about animal research is becoming increasingly recognized worldwide. The move towards being transparent officially began in Europe in 2014, with the release of the UK Concordat on Openness on Animal Research, and it spread to several EU countries and others worldwide over the past decade. By signing this agreement, organizations in Canada agree to make comprehensive information accessible to everyone, and proactively share information on the overall process, procedures, requirements, scientific needs and limitations, replacement, reduction and refinement, and the national oversight of animal-based scientific activities in Canada.
The importance of good and transparent communication about animal research is becoming increasingly recognized worldwide. The move towards being transparent officially began in Europe in 2014, with the release of the UK Concordat on Openness on Animal Research, and it spread to several EU countries and others worldwide over the past decade. By signing this agreement, organizations in Canada agree to make comprehensive information accessible to everyone, and proactively share information on the overall process, procedures, requirements, scientific needs and limitations, replacement, reduction and refinement, and the national oversight of animal-based scientific activities in Canada.
Animal research is a sensitive and complex topic that often evokes strong emotions and can lead to lively discussions in society, the media, and politics. This makes it especially important for the research community to play an active role in these conversations by sharing clear, accurate information and meaningful context about the use of animals in research.
Note for editors:
For more information, please contact Kirk Leech kleech@eara.eu, +44 7850 480520
Note for editors:
For more information, please contact Kirk Leech kleech@eara.eu, +44 7850 480520