Science Canada: 09/17/08

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The other North American election

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:35 PM

As Canadian scientists work to maintain their international reputation, a little encouragement from the election candidates would be appreciated
Sep 18, 2008
editorial
Nature
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v455/n7211/full/455263a.html

Green issues dominate election

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:35 PM

Climate change is high on Canadian agenda
Sep 17, 2008
Nicola Jones
Nature
http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080917/full/455268a.html

Former PMs prod leaders for climate-change plans

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 6:35 PM

Chretien, Martin, Turner, Campbell and Clark take up call
Sep 16, 2008
Margaret Munro
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/decisioncanada/story.html?id=75f13c33-863d-49c1-9196-df9d62f324c6

Oilsands needs special reporting rules: Environment, investor groups

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:20 PM

Sep 16, 2008
Randy Boswell
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=3cfb1160-ad28-4c12-934f-089430c97a3c

Medical journal slams Ottawa over public health safeguards

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:05 PM

Sep 17, 2008
CHRIS MORRIS
The Canadian Press
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/rss/article/417736

Green platform: Tax cuts for poor, industries that cut emissions

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 12:56 PM

Sep 17, 2008
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080917.welxngreenplatfm0917/BNStory/politics/home

Dion promises massive funding boost for universities, students

Posted by Mehrdad Hariri at 11:35 AM

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 11:23 AM ET

CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/17/leaders-kids.html

WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.

Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.

PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)

Happy reading!

Jeff Sharom

Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.

Why Science Canada?

Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.

In United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.

Mehrdad Hariri

Science Canada

The other North American election

Green issues dominate election

Former PMs prod leaders for climate-change plans

Oilsands needs special reporting rules: Environment, investor groups

Medical journal slams Ottawa over public health safeguards

Green platform: Tax cuts for poor, industries that cut emissions

Dion promises massive funding boost for universities, students

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 11:23 AM ET

CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/17/leaders-kids.html

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