Science Canada: 05/10/09

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Money spent on science is money well spent

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:27 PM

May 9, 2009
The Gazette
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Health/Money+spent+science+money+well+spent/1578748/story.html

$34.7M to help upgrade city labs

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:26 PM

May 9, 2009
Larry Kusch
Winnipeg Free Press
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/347m-to-help-upgrade-city-labs-44633727.html

North gets disproportionately fewer R&D dollars

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:26 PM

Arm's-length funding agency counsels region on how to compete for more government funding
May 9, 2009
MICHAEL PURVIS
SAULT STAR
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1561213

Canadians cool on carbon tax: poll

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:25 PM

May 10, 2009
DIRK MEISSNER
The Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090510.wcarbontaxpoll0510/BNStory/National/home?cid=al_gam_mostview

Ottawa urged to establish forensics watchdog

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:25 PM

Standards must be set for `science' behind evidence, activist says
May 10, 2009
Tracey Tyler
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/631983

Gov't. freezes national-park fees

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:24 PM

May 10, 2009
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/freezes+national+park+fees/1582204/story.html

B.C. mother challenges safety of Wi-Fi in schools

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:24 PM

May 9, 2009
Lena Sin
Vancouver Province
http://www.canada.com/Health/mother+challenges+safety+schools/1581224/story.html

Harcourt throws support behind provincial carbon tax

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:24 PM

Former NDP premier joins forces with Suzuki and other environmentalists, despite fact party's current platform promises to scrap it
May 9, 2009
IAN BAILEY AND JUSTINE HUNTER
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090509.wbcelectionharcourtart2152/BNStory/National/home

Canada's reckless carbon habit

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:23 PM

May 9, 2009
ANDREW NIKIFORUK
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090509.BKCARBON09ART1454/TPStory/Entertainment

Bridging accreditation gap

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:23 PM

Canada-EU barriers being reduced
May 8, 2009
Derek Sankey
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/Business/Bridging+accreditation/1577176/story.html

Teen scientist wins top prize for 'designer wheat'

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:23 PM

May 9, 2009
Mark Milner
Special to CTV.ca
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090507/designer_wheat_090509/20090509?hub=SciTech

Inventive teen wins $95,000 in scholarships

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:22 PM

Solar energy system gains wide recognition
May 10, 2009
Sarah McGinnis
Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/fp/Inventive+teen+wins+scholarships/1581554/story.html

Fickle Gods of Global Warming

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:22 PM

May 9, 2009
REX MURPHY
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090508.wcomurphy09/BNStory/specialComment/home?cid=al_gam_mostview

Canada ready for pandemic, CMAhead says

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 3:21 PM

May 8, 2009
Sharon Kirkey
Canwest News Service
http://www.canada.com/Canada+ready+pandemic+CMAhead+says/1580709/story.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

Money spent on science is money well spent

$34.7M to help upgrade city labs

North gets disproportionately fewer R&D dollars

Canadians cool on carbon tax: poll

Ottawa urged to establish forensics watchdog

Gov't. freezes national-park fees

B.C. mother challenges safety of Wi-Fi in schools

Harcourt throws support behind provincial carbon tax

Canada's reckless carbon habit

Bridging accreditation gap

Teen scientist wins top prize for 'designer wheat'

Inventive teen wins $95,000 in scholarships

Fickle Gods of Global Warming

Canada ready for pandemic, CMAhead says

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