What is CHIPER?

The Committee for Harmonized Health Impact, Privacy, and Ethics Review (CHIPER) was established January 1, 2022 as a result of amendments to Manitoba’s The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).   

CHIPER’s mandate is to provide robust ethical reviews of health research, as outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2). Its authorization to conduct ethical reviews of human health research in Manitoba is provided by Research Improvements through Harmonization in Manitoba (RITHIM), an arms-length program of Research Manitoba. 

RITHIM requires that all health research involving human participants be reviewed and approved by CHIPER. This includes health research conducted by persons affiliated with regional health authorities, universities and colleges, and hospitals and health care facilities in Manitoba. Research led by investigators from outside of Manitoba who propose to conduct health research in Manitoba are also required to submit projects to CHIPER for its approval. No research shall be initiated without the full review of, and approval by, CHIPER. 

CHIPER will conduct reviews of health research projects to ensure that researchers adhere to ethical principles with respect to the conduct of research.  

To determine if your project is under the jurisdiction of RITHIM, please use our interactive RITHIM Program routing questions tool: Does my Project Require RITHIM Review?