Science Canada: 04/23/09

Agriculture minister hasn't been interviewed by investigator looking into listeriosis outbreak
Apr 23, 2009
Joanna Smith
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/622952

Ont. groups want formal study into health effects of wind turbines

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:29 AM

Apr 23, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iwK8mnBntVOEpuReldBbWB1qPf_w

Parasite behind European honeybee colony collapse, researchers say

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:28 AM

Apr 23, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/04/22/honey-bee-collapse.html

Mr. Math aims to convert Canadians

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:28 AM

Our kids lack basic skills and that's going to hurt them, B.C. numbers guru says
Apr 23, 2009
Cathal Kelly
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/622969

Talking about the future of farming in Canada

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:28 AM

GROWING FORWARD: Agriculture ministry rep speaks at agricultural night
Apr 23, 2009
MARK TAYTI
THE TRIBUNE
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1536761

McGuinty’s solution: Leave waste at the stores

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:27 AM

The Series Star series prompts call for consumers to act
Apr 23, 2009
Robert Benzie
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/622976

Vitamin D may lower asthma severity

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:27 AM

Apr 23, 2009
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090423.wlasthma23art1829/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

Musings on this 'green' day

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:26 AM

Apr 23, 2009
Alec Bruce
Times & Transcript
http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/644611

Pesticides: Science vs. Emotion

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:26 AM

Apr 22, 2009
Rob Breakenridge
CHQR
http://www.am770chqr.com/Blogs/TheWorldTonight/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10029601

Greenhouse gas emissions cut by 6.5M tonnes: Alberta

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:25 AM

Apr 22, 2009
Darcy Henton
Edmonton Journal
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Technology/Greenhouse+emissions+tonnes+Alberta/1523509/story.html

Group tracks western economic diversification spending

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:25 AM

Apr 22, 2009
Bruce Cheadle
THE CANADIAN PRESS
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/622835

Unnecessary scans pose health risk, UVic study shows

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:25 AM

Apr 22, 2009
Pamela Fayerman
Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Unnecessary+scans+pose+health+risk+UVic+study+shows/1523858/story.html

Deliver access to capital

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:24 AM

Apr 22, 2009
Telegraph-Journal
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/642969

As one of the worst avalanche seasons draws to a close, avalanche science remains dangerously inexact
Apr 22, 2009
Trent Edwards
Calgary Herald
http://www.canada.com/news/PREDICTING+DEATH/1523040/story.html

Late blooming science whiz has ‘high hopes’ of earning trip to Tunesia

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 10:23 AM

Apr 22, 2009
Janet Richards
The Community Press
http://www.communitypress-online.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1534939

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 is a leader in environmental stewardship

Saskatchewan reneges on climate-change

Government rejects unified carbon prices

Motive questioned in failure to disclose asbestos study

Oil sands braces for American green fuel regulation

Meat inquiry missing a key player

Ont. groups want formal study into health effects of wind turbines

Parasite behind European honeybee colony collapse, researchers say

Mr. Math aims to convert Canadians

Talking about the future of farming in Canada

McGuinty’s solution: Leave waste at the stores

Vitamin D may lower asthma severity

Musings on this 'green' day

Pesticides: Science vs. Emotion

Greenhouse gas emissions cut by 6.5M tonnes: Alberta

Group tracks western economic diversification spending

Unnecessary scans pose health risk, UVic study shows

Deliver access to capital

PREDICTING DEATH

Late blooming science whiz has ‘high hopes’ of earning trip to Tunesia

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