Canada’s Clinical Research Workforce Strategy
Canada’s Clinical Research Workforce Strategy is a national initiative focused on strengthening capacity, sustainability, and career pathways across the clinical research workforce. By aligning existing training, resources, and expertise, the strategy aims to support recruitment, retention, and readiness while enabling meaningful, coordinated action across the clinical research ecosystem.
Behind every clinical trial is an unsung engine: the Clinical Research Professional.
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“At this time, when a large number of experienced clinical research managers and staff are beginning to retire, it is important to raise the profile of the many clinical research jobs available in Canada, to ensure that the younger generations have a clear pathway to employment in this industry. A clear pathway to employment will increase our trained clinical research workforce and prevent further professional staffing shortages.”
– Erin Cherban, Chair, Board of Directors, N2 Canada
A Critical Workforce, Overlooked and At Risk
Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) are the operational backbone of clinical trials, overseeing the day-to-day conduct of studies to ensure they are ethical, safe, and compliant. Despite their critical role in the success and integrity of clinical research, this workforce remains under-recognized, under-supported, and is now facing a crisis.
Be Part of the Change
This initiative cannot succeed without collaboration. We are inviting clinical research organizations and interested individuals, to please reach out, get involved, and help us build the future of clinical research in Canada together.
Email munaza.jamil@n2canada.ca to start the conversation!
Follow us on Linkedin to stay connected and updated!
The Hidden Crisis in
Clinical Research
By Munaza Jamil and Alison Orth
This white paper explores the current state and future of Canada’s Clinical Research Professional (CRP) workforce. Drawing on consultations and survey data, it identifies a major gap: the need for a cohesive national strategy to recognize and support CRPs. The authors outline recruitment and retention challenges, propose a pan-Canadian competency framework, and recommend practical steps to strengthen CRP career pathways, recognition, and support.
Why It Matters
Clinical Research Professionals are essential to delivering ethical, high-quality, and efficient health research — yet their roles are often undervalued and inconsistently defined. Without a stable, well-supported workforce, studies face delays, protocol deviations, and inefficiencies that affect patient care and innovation. Investing in and professionalizing this workforce is critical to building research that is equitable, timely, and trusted.
Building the clinical research workforce to bring new treatments to Canadians
By Karen Hawthorne
The article examines the critical role of Canada’s clinical research workforce and the growing need for standardized training, credentialing, and sustainable career pathways for Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs). It features expert perspectives from Munaza Jamil, National Director of Canada’s Clinical Research Workforce Strategy, and Dr. Jennifer Tsang, ICU specialist and research leader at Niagara Health, highlighting workforce gaps, patient safety implications, and the importance of expanding research capacity into community hospitals.
Who Will Run Canada’s Clinical Trials?
By Munaza Jamil
Canada’s ability to deliver high-quality clinical trials depends on more than scientific discovery—it depends on the skilled professionals who make research possible. In this article, Munaza Jamil examines the challenges facing Canada’s clinical research workforce, from workforce instability and talent retention to professional recognition and career development. The article outlines why investing in Clinical Research Professionals is critical to strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem, supporting innovation, and ensuring the country is prepared to meet future health and research challenges.
Who We Are
Leadership Committee
Munaza Jamil (National Director)
Canada’s Clinical Research Workforce Strategy
Alison Orth (Chair)
Director, Clinical Trials British Columbia
Erin Cherban
Chair, Board of Directors, N2 Canada
Walead Ebrahimizadeh
Director of Clinical Research Operations, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Bernie Eigl
Director, Provincial Clinical Trials, BC Cancer
Kathleen Geelan
Program Manager, Applied Clinical Research Program, McMaster University
Jennifer Li
Quality Manager, Princess Margaret Hospital, UHN
Liz Lylyk
Director of RITHIM, Research Manitoba
Ryan Mercer
Director, Clinical Research Innovation, Alberta Innovates
Barry Strack
Regional Director of Research Services, Horizon Health Network
Jessica Vincent
Head of Operations, Population Health Research Institute
Megan Truscott
Director of Research, University of Saskatoon
Jennifer Tsang
Executive Director and Chief Scientist, Niagara Health Knowledge Institute
External Advisory Group
Megan Bettle
Executive Director, Clinical Trials, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Alison Evans
President and CEO, Research Canada
Rob Henderson
President and CEO, BioTalent Canada
Wendy Hurlburt
President and CEO, Life Sciences BC
Theresa McCurry
CEO, Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC
We are proud to partner with these excellent organizations and institutions, and are eager to welcome additional partners to this transformative initiative.
Taskforce on Role Classifications
Jean Smart and Zoe Ignacio (Co-Leads)
Mandate
Define and formalize the professional identity of Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) by establishing standardized scopes of practice, professional standards, and a consistent role classification framework aligned with qualifications, competencies, and levels of responsibility.
Taskforce on Talent, Compensation and Equity
Melissa Bellocchi (Lead)
Mandate
To advance equitable, aligned, and sustainable employment practices for clinical research professionals across Canada.
Taskforce on CRP Pathways
coming soon…
Working Group: Evaluation, Measurement and Reporting
Elaina Orlando (Lead)
Mandate
Design and implement a comprehensive evaluation, measurement, and reporting framework to assess the Strategy’s implementation, outputs, and system-level impact, and to support continuous learning, accountability, and transparency.
Francophone Engagement Table
Marie-Laure Oula (Lead)
Mandate
Apply a unique lens to the Strategy’s work by ensuring outputs are aligned with Canada’s French regulatory and professional context, and supporting French adaptation and dissemination to strengthen regional relevance and impact.
Industry Engagement Table
coming soon…
Mandate
Ensure the Strategy’s work is grounded in real-world industry needs and expertise, support collaborative dissemination of communications for broader reach and impact, and help position shared outputs for effective rollout and implementation.
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