The supervisor is directly responsible for the supervision of the student's program. In this capacity, the supervisor assists the student in planning a program, ensures that the student is aware of all program requirements, degree regulations, and general regulations of the department and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR), provides counsel on all aspects of the program, and stays informed about the student's research activities and progress.

The supervisor is also charged with ensuring that students conduct their research in a manner that is as effective, safe, and productive as possible.
The supervisor must prepare a program of studies for the student and arrange for and attend all supervisory committee meetings and examinations. A brief summary of the meeting is to be completed at the time of the meeting and submitted to the Graduate Administrator for the student's file (Report of Supervisory Committee Meeting.docx).  A supervisory committee meeting must be held at least once every year of the student's graduate program. The Supervisor also ensures that all meetings and examinations are scheduled and held in accordance with Departmental and FGSR regulations. The Supervisor and Supervisory committee must review the thesis both in draft and in final form.
The supervisor, with the support of the home department, should: 

• provide an environment for the student that is conducive to research and in which the student can grow intellectually
• provide appropriate guidance to the student on the nature of research and the standard expected, and be accessible to give advice and constructive feedback
• at the beginning of the supervisory relationship, the student should be made aware of the normal expectations held by the supervisor and the department
• with the student establish a realistic timetable for completion of various phases of the program
• consider a graduate student as a "junior colleague in research"
• ensure that there are sufficient material and supervisory resources for each graduate student under supervision
• work with the student to establish the supervisory committee as soon as possible after the start of the program and ensure that it maintains contact and formally meets at least once a year with the student
• when going on leave or an extended period of absence, ensure that the student is adequately supervised by the provision of an acting supervisor (who should be a member of the supervisory committee)
• ensure that the student is aware of his/her guidelines (as listed above) and, when necessary, assist the student in meeting these
• set up committee meetings and examinations after consultation with and with full knowledge of the student.