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An Accelerated, Harmonized, and Recognized Pathway to Activate Your Clinical Studies
Quebec has implemented a multicentre authorization mechanism that simplifies and optimizes the ethical review of research projects conducted in more than one institution within the health and social services network. Overseen by the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Ministry of Health and Social Services), this process now represents a strategic advantage for sponsors seeking to efficiently deploy their clinical studies in Quebec.
A Single Ethics Review, Recognized Across Quebec
Through the multicentre mechanism, a designated Research Ethics Board (REB) conducts the primary ethical review of the project. This review is carried out in accordance with harmonized rules and processes that are recognized by all participating institutions.
This mechanism offers several advantages:
- Elimination of multiple ethics reviews
- Significant reduction in approval timelines
- Decreased administrative burden
Improved Coordination Among All Stakeholders
Quebec’s multicentre process is designed to ensure a consistent, rigorous ethical review that meets all applicable regulatory requirements, particularly with respect to participant protection and good research practices.
Beyond simplifying ethics reviews, the multicentre mechanism promotes effective coordination among sponsors, research ethics boards, participating institutions, and central and local authorities. This coordination helps streamline the project pathway—from preparation through site activation—and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth.
A Concrete Lever to Accelerate Site Activation
By limiting process duplication and harmonizing practices, Quebec’s multicentre mechanism enables:
- Faster implementation of multicentre projects;
- Simultaneous or closely sequenced site activation;
- Improved overall clinical trial planning.
For sponsors, this translates into time savings, optimized resource use, and greater predictability of timelines.
Understanding the Pathway, Step by Step
The diagrams presented below provide a structured overview of the entire multicentre authorization process, from project preparation through site activation.
They highlight the key steps in the pathway, the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders and the interactions between central and local authorities.
The diagrams are available in interactive and PDF formats, in both simplified and developed versions.
