Science Canada: 03/07/09

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Canada puts the squeeze on science

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:08 PM

Experts warn research lacks adequate funding and the government a coherent vision. While the U.S. invests heavily in science as an key part of its economic revival, Canada is spending less and putting scientists out of work, reports Mohammed Adam.
Mar 7, 2009
Mohammed Adam
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Business/Canada+puts+squeeze+science/1364117/story.html

Ottawa wants say over school funds

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:07 PM

Universities, some provinces protest Tories' insistence that infrastructure cash be earmarked for science
Mar 7, 2009
BRIAN LAGHI
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090307.UNIVERSITIES07/TPStory/National

Prentice sees promise in clean energy talks

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:07 PM

Minister says U.S.-Canada environment policy needs work
Mar 7, 2009
MARKUS ERMISCH
SUN MEDIA
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Business/2009/03/07/8662001-sun.html

Will tougher green laws be enforced?

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:06 PM

Mar 7, 2009
The Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Business/Will+tougher+green+laws+enforced/1365267/story.html

'You are known as energy superpower,' envoy says

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:06 PM

China's ambassador to Canada says we could increase trade by pushing our science, technology
Mar 7, 2009
Tony Wong
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/598212

Ontario's war on carbon

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:05 PM

This corrupt energy initiative is turning Ontario into a green police state
Mar 6, 2009
Terence Corcoran
Financial Post
http://www.financialpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=c2171861-e003-40bd-ba4c-ae05a0e36c8f

Federal government wants regulation of printer pigment, solvents

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 1:05 PM

Mar 6, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/03/06/batch3-regulate.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

Canada puts the squeeze on science

Ottawa wants say over school funds

Prentice sees promise in clean energy talks

Will tougher green laws be enforced?

'You are known as energy superpower,' envoy says

Ontario's war on carbon

Federal government wants regulation of printer pigment, solvents

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