CTO Submissions
Clinical Trials Ontario is supporting the movement for a single provincial ethics review for multi-site research in Ontario. The CTO streamlined approach provides an efficient way to conduct research ethics reviews and make research studies more efficient and cost-effective. The Ontario-built online system enables all research sites participating in a multi-site research study to undergo a single ethics review rather than separately applying to their local research ethics boards. This reduces the time and labour required to obtain research ethics approval.
Applying to CTO Stream
Abbreviations used:
- BoR: Board of Record
- CA: Centre Applicant
- CIA: Centre Initial Application
- CRO: Clinical Research Organization
- CTO: Clinical Trials Ontario
- IR: Institutional Representative
- PA: Provincial Applicant
- PI: Principal Investigator
- PIA: Provincial Initial Application
- REB: Research Ethics Board
Employees of North York General Hospital (NYGH) or physicians with active status appointments to NYGH are potentially eligible to submit applications through CTO Stream. Before submitting to CTO Stream, such NYGH researchers should follow these steps:
- Confirm that the study meets the requirements and eligibility criteria for CTO Stream.
- Seek institutional authorization for the study, beginning with submission of the form “Pre-Authorization of a Research Project at NYGH to Proceed to REB,” which is available for download on our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
- Send evidence of completion of the mandatory human subjects protection training to research.innovation@nygh.on.ca.
If you have a question, please contact the CTO Institution Representative for NYGH.
Who is the NYGH Institutional Representative for CTO?
Michael Wood
Director, Research & Innovation
North York General Hospital
4001 Leslie Street, Room LE-140
Toronto, Ontario M2K 1E1
Tel: 416-756-6382
Email us
Understanding CTO Stream review process
1. Process for application through CTO Stream
If the multicentre study is deemed qualified for review through CTO Stream, the NYGH researcher or delegate will initiate an application process through CTO Stream. Access information about CTO Stream, including user manuals, on the CTO website.
For questions related to CTO Stream or to request a CTO Stream account, contact CTO Support at 1-877-715-2700 or streamline@ctontario.ca. Depending on the role in the study, the eligible NYGH researcher can apply as Provincial Applicant (PA) and /or Centre Applicant (CA).
2. Applying as a Provincial Applicant
The Principal Investigator (PI) should submit a Provincial Initial Application (PIA). The PIA will need to include contact details and sign off from NYGH site PI (PA) and NYGH Institutional Representative (IR).
The study sponsor or Clinical Research Organization (CRO) representatives may create and assist with applications in CTO Stream; however, the submitting investigator is responsible for the quality and content of the submissions. Research teams can immediately create CIA while working on Provincial Initial Application for any known participating study sites.
CTO will screen the Provincial Initial Application to ensure that the study meets the CTO mandate, that the appropriate institutional representative is listed in the application, and to confirm that the provincial applicant has signed the application.
If the screening requirements are fulfilled, CTO will assign the Board of Record (BoR) (any CTO qualified REB in Ontario) to advance the PIA review.
The BoR REB will review the PIA (Includes REB office screening and REB member review full board or delegated), resolving issues with PIA and approving the study.
Once the PIA is approved, each participating site can submit the Centre Initial Application (CIA) including centre specific consent forms (a modified version of the provincially approved consent form which includes site-specific information, logos, etc.)
3. If NYGH Researcher is joining the study as a Centre Applicant
The PI will submit the Centre Initial Application (CIA). The CIA will need to include contact details and sign off from the following individuals at NYGH:
- Site PI
- Department Head: Michael Wood, Director, Research & Innovation
- Institutional Representative (IR): Michael Wood, Director, Research & Innovation
The BoR REB reviews CIA, resolves issues with CIA and issues REB approval for site to participate.
Before the study activities can start at NYGH, a fully executed CTO REB of Record study agreement and other administrative approvals are required in addition to REB approval from BoR REB.