Science Canada: 01/29/09

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Budget erases funding for key science agency

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:05 PM

Organization that finances large-scale science is ignored, putting jobs, research and Canada's international reputation at risk
Jan 29, 2009
CAROLYN ABRAHAM
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090129.BUDGETSCIENCE29/TPStory/National

Genome Canada head questions lack of funds in budget

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:05 PM

Jan 29, 2009
Paul Jay and Amina Zafar
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/29/genome-funding.html

Nature's perfect food isn't perfect

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:04 PM

Jan 29, 2009
JAN SARGEANT Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090128.wcomilk29/BNStory/specialComment/home

Canada Cuts Research Funding

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:29 AM

Jan 28, 2009
Wayne Kondro
ScienceInsider
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/01/canada-cuts-res.html

Money for bricks, but not talent

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:29 AM

University researchers say there isn't enough new funding to close the gap with American universities
Jan 28, 2009
ELIZABETH CHURCH AND DANIEL LEBLANC
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090128.BUDGETSCIENCE28/TPStory/National

Science community sees budget promises as mixed bag

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:28 AM

Jan 28, 2009
Paul Jay
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/28/scitech-budget-reac.html

A missed chance to build toward Canada's future

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:28 AM

Jan 28, 2009
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090128.EBUDGET28/TPStory/Comment

Stimulus plan falls a few shades short of 'green,' critics say

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:27 AM

More action sought on renewable energy
Jan 28, 2009
Allan Woods
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/578403

BPA stays in body longer than expected: study

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:27 AM

Jan 28, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/28/bpa-fasting.html

Toronto bans smoking near playgrounds, wading pools

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:27 AM

Jan 28, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/28/tto-smoking.html

Give all Quebec parents-to-be free access to Down syndrome test: commission

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:26 AM

Provincial advisory board recommends universal access to free amniocentesis
Jan 28, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/28/mtl-downs-syndrome-testing-0128.html

Canada poised to require companies to report use of nanomaterials, policy group says

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:26 AM

Jan 28, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/28/nanotech.html

EU calls for global carbon trading system to fight climate change

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:26 AM

Suggestions outlined in EU blueprint for Copenhagen deal
Jan 28, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/28/eu-carbon.html

A training ground for biotech leaders

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:25 AM

Making a mark; Two women share their success stories
Jan 28, 2009
Mary Teresa Bitti
Financial Post
http://www.financialpost.com/working/story.html?id=1226258

Environment gets lift in budget pledges

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 11:24 AM

Jan 27, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/27/budget2009-environment.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

Budget erases funding for key science agency

Genome Canada head questions lack of funds in budget

Nature's perfect food isn't perfect

Canada Cuts Research Funding

Money for bricks, but not talent

Science community sees budget promises as mixed bag

A missed chance to build toward Canada's future

Stimulus plan falls a few shades short of 'green,' critics say

BPA stays in body longer than expected: study

Toronto bans smoking near playgrounds, wading pools

Give all Quebec parents-to-be free access to Down syndrome test: commission

Canada poised to require companies to report use of nanomaterials, policy group says

EU calls for global carbon trading system to fight climate change

A training ground for biotech leaders

Environment gets lift in budget pledges

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