Science Canada: 03/17/11

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Flattening the World: Building the 21st Century Global Knowledge Society

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:40 AM

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2012 Annual Meeting: 16-20 Feb 2012 in Vancouver, Canada
- Call for Symposium Proposals: Submission deadline 26 April 2011
http://www.aaas.org/meetings/2012/program/symposia/submit/

In the new model of innovation people matter

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:40 AM

Mar 7, 2011
Chad Gaffield
Canadian Government Executive
http://cge.itincanada.ca/index.php?cid=312&id=13982

Flawed R&D scheme costs taxpayers billions

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:39 AM

Mar 11, 2011
BARRIE McKENNA
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/flawed-rd-scheme-costs-taxpayers-billions/article1939418/

How Canada's R&D incentive gets abused

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:39 AM

Mar 11, 2011
BARRIE McKENNA
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/how-canadas-rd-incentive-gets-abused/article1939344/

Subsidizing R&D not the solution

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:38 AM

Mar 14, 2011
Stephen Gordon
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/stephen-gordon/subsidizing-rd-not-the-solution/article1940770/

The internal war on innovation

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:38 AM

Mar 4, 2011
Glen Milne
Canadian Government Executive
http://cge.itincanada.ca/index.php?cid=312&id=13975

Accelerating innovation

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:38 AM

Mar 1, 2011
Tony Dean
Canadian Government Executive
http://cge.itincanada.ca/index.php?cid=312&id=13962

Assimilating science into decision making

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:37 AM

Jan 7, 2011
Claire Dansereau
Canadian Government Executive
http://cge.itincanada.ca/index.php?cid=312&id=13782

Harper Government Celebrates Economic Action Plan Investments in Canada's Knowledge Economy

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:35 AM

Government of Canada Celebrates Canada Research Chairs at the University of Windsor

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:34 AM

Chairs program brings best and brightest researchers to Canada's universities
Mar 14, 2011
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Celebrates-Canada-Research-Chairs-at-the-University-of-Windsor-1410727.htm

Is our energy superpower vision slipping away?

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:34 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Keith W. Hipel and C.W. (Clem) Bowman
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/955245--is-our-energy-superpower-vision-slipping-away

Saskatchewan, Alberta near agreement on sharing oilsands emissions info

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:34 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Jennifer Graham
The Canadian Press
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/environment/saskatchewan-alberta-near-agreement-on-sharing-oilsands-emissions-info-118133324.html

Canada urged to protect water in boreal forests

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:33 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Margaret Munro
Postmedia News
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Canada+urged+protect+water+boreal+forests/4449692/story.html

City lowers fluoride in drinking water

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:33 AM

Mar 16, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/03/16/man-flouride-drinking-water-winnipeg.html

Pickering nuclear plant reports water leak

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:32 AM

Risk to public is 'negligible,' says Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Mar 16, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/16/pickering-nuclear-leak.html

Important funding for nanomedicine research to improve diagnosis and treatment

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:32 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
http://smr.newswire.ca/en/canadian-institutes-of-health-research-cihr/important-funding-for-nanomedicine-research

Harper Government Supports Social Sciences and Humanities Research on Cyber Scholarship

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:31 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Harper-Government-Supports-Social-Sciences-Humanities-Research-on-Cyber-Scholarship-1412959.htm

Government of Canada Works with Nunavut to Help Prevent Young People from Taking Illicit Drugs

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:31 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Health Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-Canada-Works-with-Nunavut-Help-Prevent-Young-People-from-Taking-Illicit-Drugs-1412828.htm

Government of Canada Invests in Research to Enhance our Understanding of Societal Change

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:31 AM

Mar 16, 2011
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-Canada-Invests-Research-Enhance-our-Understanding-Societal-Change-1412773.htm

Government of Canada Invests in Research on Official Languages

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:30 AM

Mar 16, 2011
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Invests-in-Research-on-Official-Languages-1412754.htm

Government of Canada Invests in Canada's Judicial System

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:30 AM

Mar 16, 2011
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Invests-in-Canadas-Judicial-System-1412753.htm

Infrastructure gap could be closed by more productive use of existing networks

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:29 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Conference Board of Canada
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/16/c3362.html

Government of Canada Delivers More Transparency on Food Safety Enforcement

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:29 AM

Mar 16, 2011
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Delivers-More-Transparency-on-Food-Safety-Enforcement-1412684.htm

Government of Canada Renews Funding for Geospatial Initiative

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:29 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Natural Resources Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Renews-Funding-for-Geospatial-Initiative-1412586.htm

Canada Foundation for Innovation: Finding Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:28 AM

Mar 16, 2011
Canada Foundation for Innovation
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canada-Foundation-for-Innovation-Finding-Early-Diagnosis-of-Alzheimers-Disease-1412488.htm

Harper Government Highlights Renewed Investment in Small Business Internship Program During Year of the Entrepreneur

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:28 AM

Canada's Economic Action Plan supports job creation by investing in small businesses and students
Mar 16, 2011
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Harper-Government-Highlights-Renewed-Investment-Small-Business-Internship-Program-During-1412811.htm

Government won't act on all sodium recommendations, despite costly panel

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:27 AM

Mar 15, 2011
Sarah Schmidt
Postmedia News
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Government+sodium+recommendations+despite+costly+panel/4438486/story.html

Celebrities recruited to raise awareness of world agriculture crisis

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:27 AM

Mar 15, 2011
JESSICA LEEDER
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/celebrities-recruited-to-raise-awareness-of-world-agriculture-crisis/article1943558/

Sask. joins spinal cord research initiative

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:27 AM

Mar 15, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2011/03/15/sk-hansen-research-11315.html

Canada launched nuclear safety review before meltdown panic in Japan

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:26 AM

Mar 15, 2011
Carmen Chai
Postmedia News
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Canada+launched+nuclear+safety+review+before+meltdown+panic+Japan/4440890/story.html

The science behind the nuclear crisis: The Japan syndrome

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:26 AM

What is actually going on in the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant
Mar 15, 2011
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/03/post-earthquake_nuclear_crisis

Critics cry foul over Tory pick for top post

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:26 AM

The appointment of a well-known Conservative to head the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation is drawing criticism from the Opposition Liberals.
Mar 15, 2011
Quentin Casey
Telegraph-Journal
http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/1388645

Seal pups suffer poor ice conditions again

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:25 AM

Mar 15, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/15/pei-seals-ice-hammill-584.html

Fresh evidence for expanding universe

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:25 AM

Mar 15, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/15/tech-hubble-universe-expansion.html

Ontario Helps Thunder Bay Clean Energy Plant Expand

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:24 AM

AbitibiBowater will soon be providing more clean power for Northwestern Ontario and adding 56 permanent jobs
Mar 15, 2011
Ontario Ministry of Energy
http://news.ontario.ca/mei/en/2011/03/ontario-helps-thunder-bay-clean-energy-plant-expand.html

Government of Canada Helps Producers Boost Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:24 AM

Mar 15, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Helps-Producers-Boost-Energy-Efficiency-and-Sustainability-1412094.htm

Economic Action Plan Invests in Jobs and Growth in Stratford

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:24 AM

Mar 15, 2011
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Economic-Action-Plan-Invests-in-Jobs-and-Growth-in-Stratford-1411651.htm

Government of Canada Invests in Geoduck Clam Industry

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:24 AM

Mar 15, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Invests-in-Geoduck-Clam-Industry-1411633.htm

The secret’s in: Open data is a foreign concept in Canada

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:23 AM

Data that inform Health Canada’s regulatory decision-making processes in such areas as drug reviews are also kept under tight control, often in the name of protecting industry interests, experts say.
Mar 14, 2011
Lauren Vogel
CMAJ
http://www.cmaj.ca/earlyreleases/14mar11_open-data-is-a-foreign-concept-in-canada.dtl

Next census gathering has begun, passed 'point of no return,' says new StatsCan chief

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:23 AM

New Statistics Canada Chief Wayne Smith says it's unrealistic to expect it will gather equal data without the long-form mandatory census.
Mar 14 2011
JESSICA BRUNO
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/census-03-14-2011

The nuclear risk merits actions, but not global shutdowns

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:22 AM

The situation at the Fukushima reactors is serious, even dire, but it ought not to sound the death knell of nuclear power, or delay the construction of new nuclear facilities
Mar 14 2011
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/the-nuclear-risk-merits-actions-but-not-global-shutdowns/article1941822/

Nuclear 2.0: Japan Shouldn't Stop Us From Embracing It

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:22 AM

Mar 14 2011
Ford Vox
The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/nuclear-20-japan-shouldnt-stop-us-from-embracing-it/72422/

Nuclear hubris played a role in Japanese disaster

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:22 AM

Mar 14, 2011
Peter Goodspeed
National Post
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/03/14/peter-goodspeed-nuclear-hubris-played-a-role-in-japanese-disaster/

Yellowknifers vote down geothermal heating plan

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:22 AM

Mar 14, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/14/yellowknife-con-geothermal-referendum.html

U.S. sued over syphilis tests in Guatemala

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:21 AM

Mar 14, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/14/syphilis-guatemala-obama-lawsuit.html

Economic Action Plan Supports Innovative Green Energy Research and Development in New Brunswick

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:21 AM

Atlantic Hydrogen developing greener hydrogen-rich energy
Mar 14, 2011
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-NRC
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Economic-Action-Plan-Supports-Innovative-Green-Energy-Research-Development-New-Brunswick-1410839.htm

Harper Government Supports Health Sciences Career Training at St. Clair College in Windsor

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:20 AM

Mar 14, 2011
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Harper-Government-Supports-Health-Sciences-Career-Training-St-Clair-College-Windsor-1410856.htm

Harper Government Invests in Canada's Forest Sector

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:19 AM

Statement by the Honourable Christian Paradis, P.C., M.P., Minister of Natural Resources on the International Year of Forests

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:18 AM

Mar 14, 2011
Natural Resources Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Statement-Honourable-Christian-Paradis-PC-MP-Minister-Natural-Resources-on-International-1410481.htm

Route 167 North Project in the Direction of the Otish Mountains

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:18 AM

Federal Funding Allocated to Participate in the Environmental Assessment
Mar 14, 2011
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/14/c2468.html

Jackpine Mine Expansion Project and Pierre River Mine Project - Availability of $300,000 in Participant Funding

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:18 AM

Mar 14, 2011
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/14/c2543.html

Government of Canada Plants Seeds to Help Floriculture Industry Bloom

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:17 AM

Mar 14, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Plants-Seeds-to-Help-Floriculture-Industry-Bloom-1410764.htm

Asian carp threat prompts crisis exercise

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:17 AM

Federal, Ont. experts practice emergency response to possible carp invasion in Great Lakes
Mar 11, 2011
Sharon Oosthoek
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/11/tech-asian-carp-emergency-invasive-species.html

No N.B. hydro-fracking moratorium: Northrup

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:17 AM

Mar 11, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/11/nb-northrup-hydrofracking-741.html

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research welcomes announcement of renewal of funding for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:16 AM

Mar 11, 2011
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/11/c2244.html

Supporting Innovation And Creating Jobs In Halton Region

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:16 AM

Halton Region’s HalTech is now part of the Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE)
Mar 11, 2011
Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
http://www.mri.gov.on.ca/english/news/ONE031111.asp

Chair Named To Lead Independent Panel On Herbicide

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:15 AM

Dr. Leonard Ritter has been named the chair of the Independent Fact-Finding Panel on Herbicide 2,4,5-T to look into its past use in Ontario in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and possibly the 80s.
Mar 11, 2011
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
http://news.ontario.ca/mnr/en/2011/03/chair-named-to-lead-independent-panel-on-herbicide.html

Harper Government Highlights Renewed Investment in Small Business Internship Program During Year of the Entrepreneur

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:15 AM

Canada's Economic Action Plan supports job creation by investing in small businesses and students
Mar 11, 2011
Industry Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Harper-Government-Highlights-Renewed-Investment-Small-Business-Internship-Program-During-1409916.htm

Made-In-Canada Technology: Virtual Brain Surgery Centre Launched in Toronto

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:15 AM

Government of Canada investment revolutionizes medical training, reduces risks from brain surgery
Mar 11, 2011
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-NRC
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Made-In-Canada-Technology-Virtual-Brain-Surgery-Centre-Launched-in-Toronto-1409910.htm

Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:14 AM

Funding Awarded for Participation in the Environmental Assessment
Mar 11, 2011
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/11/c2102.html

Government of Canada Helps Grow Canada's Horticulture Markets

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:14 AM

Mar 11, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Helps-Grow-Canadas-Horticulture-Markets-1409901.htm

Government of Canada Supports Canadian Renderers Association

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:14 AM

Mar 11, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Supports-Canadian-Renderers-Association-1409922.htm

Government of Canada Announces Further Investment Into Livestock Traceability System

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:13 AM

Mar 11, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-of-Canada-Announces-Further-Investment-Into-Livestock-Traceability-System-1410066.htm

Government and Industry Partnership Delivers Results: Canadian Pulse Producers Get Increased Market Access to China

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:13 AM

Mar 11, 2011
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Government-Industry-Partnership-Delivers-Results-Canadian-Pulse-Producers-Get-Increased-1409955.htm

Last-ditch effort for Ontario breast-cancer drug funding turned down

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:13 AM

Mar 10, 2011
KAREN HOWLETT, LISA PRIEST AND TAMARA BALUJA
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/ontario-rejects-womans-last-ditch-plea-for-breast-cancer-drug/article1937369/

Ontario asks agency to review breast-cancer treatment guidelines

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:12 AM

Mar 9, 2011
LISA PRIEST AND KAREN HOWLETT
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-asks-agency-to-review-breast-cancer-treatment-guidelines/article1935967/

Dead seals mystery not solved by scientists' tests

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:12 AM

Mar 9, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/09/nl-dead-seals.html

Wildlife habitat cuts cause concern

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:12 AM

Mar 9, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/09/nb-wildlife-deer-1035.html

Gene tests for child athletes add pressure: MDs

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:11 AM

Mar 9, 2011
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/09/gene-tests-sports-kids.html

New data shows Earth-like planet is uninhabitable

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:11 AM

KOI 326.01 too hot to support human life, Kepler team says
Mar 9, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/09/earth-sized-planet-uninhabitable-kepler.html

Monitoring of oilsands impact inadequate: panel

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 9:11 AM

Mar 9, 2011
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/09/edmonton-oilsands-water-panel.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

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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.

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