Policy Details
Policy number
NU-RES-2011.15
Policy category Research
Responsible department
Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Graduate Studies and Research Office
Approval authority Board of Governors
Original approval date
Next review date

Policy Summary

This policy establishes guidelines for classifying the level of invasiveness involved in animal-based research, teaching, and testing activities. Based on Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards, it helps ensure the ethical and humane treatment of animals by requiring review and approval of applicable protocols and by categorizing procedures according to their potential impact on animal welfare.

In this policy, you will find:

  • Purpose
  • General Principles
    A. Experiments on most invertebrates or on live isolates
    B. Experiments which cause little to no discomfort or stress
    C. Experiments which cause minor stress or pain of short duration 
    D. Experiments which cause moderate to severe distress or discomfort 
    E. Procedures which cause severe pain near, at, or above the pain tolerance threshold of unanesthetized conscious animals